When you get charged with a criminal offence, whether it is theft, assault, dui, fraud or any other criminal offence, you are fingerprinted by the police. Once you are fingerprinted by the police, you are in the police and possibly, RCMP database.
If the criminal charges are later dismissed, withdrawn, peace bond, stayed, absolute or conditional discharged, the fingerprints will remain in the system until a file destruction is completed.
The impact is that when a criminal background check is done whether its by an employer or at the US border, there will still be a red flag which can cause you all types of problems.
Here is a recent article in the National Post entitled “Dropped Criminal Charges Should Be Erased From Background Checks”:
A File Destruction will remove the prints, photos, court and police records so that in the future when a criminal check is done, nothing will show up and you will be safe for employment and traveling.
If you were convicted of a criminal offence, then you will need a Pardon/Record Suspension to remove your criminal record.
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons, Record Suspensions and US Entry Waivers email us at [email protected] or call 1-877-929-6011 or 416-929-6011.