Pardons Canada – Domestic Assault vs. Assault Causing Bodily Harm or Assault with a Weapon

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Assault is among the most common type of criminal charge in Canada.  A heated disagreement can lead to a call to the police either by a person involved in the fight or even a neighbour or passerby.

If the police are called to the scene, usually a criminal charge is laid and someone is taken in for fingerprints.  If the charges are later withdrawn, stayed, dismissed or absolute or conditionally discharged, a record of the incident still exists.

Most assault charges are common assault, however if you have injured the other person (put them in the hospital) you may get an assault causing bodily harm charge.  If you used any form of weapon (we are often amazed to hear “weapons” include cellphones, shoes, bottles, sticks, etc.) you can be charged with assault with a weapon.  These charges often sound more heinous than the actual crime (“I only threw my phone at him”) because the public assumes the “weapon” was either a knife or a gun.

Once you have been fingerprinted by the police, your name will appear negatively in a criminal background check.  This can have consequences when applying for jobs or crossing the US border.

We receive many calls and emails each day asking about eligibility for a Pardon.  In most cases, its a good idea to begin the process as soon as possible because it takes time to gather and prepare all the important documents.

If you have been charged with a domestic assault, the law is you must be out of trouble for 3 years.  If you have been charged with assault with a weapon or assault causing bodily harm, you must be out of trouble for 5 years.

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – “Getting a Pardon allowed me to finally pursue my dreams”

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Having a criminal record can prevent you from achieving many goals in your life.  You may want to get a better job, travel to the US, volunteer or get a promotion at your current work.  All of these goals may not be able to be obtained if you have a criminal record in Canada.

Every day we speak to people who have these issues and are requesting a Canada Pardon so that they can move forward in their lives.

Here is an example of a person we recently helped to remove an assault charge with a Canada Pardon:

“I send you this letter with my greatest of thanks in receiving my Pardon.”

“It has been four very long and dreadful years as I have been with a criminal record for assault.”

“For some maybe a criminal record does not seem like such a big deal, I can definately say that it is.”

“It has held me back from reaching my goal in life, and now that I have received my Pardon, the weight has finally been lifted and I can resume working toward my goal, criminal record free.”

“You see, it is my goal to be a firefighter in life.  Therefore for the fast four years I have not been able to apply to school for firefighting or even volunteer.”

“Now that I have received my Pardon, I will be applying to school for next September.  This is my dream, and I cannot express how excited I am to start my new life.”

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – The Brutal Consequences of Having a DUI

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Many people call us asking to help them obtain Pardons for a DUI or Impaired Driving charge.  It is one of the most common criminal charges in Canada and the consequences can be devastating.

Most people are interested in getting a Pardon for a DUI or Impaired Driving so that they can move forward with their life without the burden of having a criminal record.

Each day we receive thank you letters from people we’ve helped to obtain a Canada Pardon so we learn about the challenges people face while having a criminal record.  Once a Pardon is granted, it is an incredible relief.  Here is an example of a letter we recently recieved from a client:

“You end up having ulimited time to think and recount the events leading up to the arrest – if you had made one different decision..Why didn’t I do that instead….The long hours on the bus gave me time to think.”

“It would take me two hours each way to get to work.  I would leave for work at 3pm and arrive home the next morning at 7am.  I had to wait at work until the buses started running at 5am.  If I worked the morning shift at my job, I would leave home at 5am and arrive home at 8pm.  There is a lot of time in between to think.”

“Hiding this from my staff was challenging.  I had to remain at my job as looking for a new job became a lot harder as many employers ask about criminal records.”

“Filling out applications becomes embarassing – looking to check one of those two little boxes (“Have you ever been convicted of a crime that a Pardon has not been granted”) stares you right in the face..”

“What a relief it was for me when I called Pardons Canada.”

“The counselor I spoke to over the phone was extremely helpful and prompted me to start the ball rolling that day.  He explained to me how easy the process was and all I needed to do was put a small initial payment to activate the file.”

“I want to thank the people at Pardons Canada for getting me through the process and giving me a fresh start.”

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – Attention all transport workers, a TWIC will be required and you will need to pass a criminal record check

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A new federal regulation has been imposed for all employees who have unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels regulated by the MTSA (Maritime Transportation Security Act).

This will affect about 1.2 million Canadian employees who will now require a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) for their job.

If you have an old criminal record you will not get the TWIC until you obtain a Canada Pardon.

If this regulation affects you, make sure you call our office to get started on your Pardon so that you can keep your job.

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – Once a Pardon is granted you can get your Canadian citizenship

www.pardons.org

Canada has a large immigrant population and many people who come to Canada from other countries are not aware of the law of the land.  What is normal behaviour in their country may be unacceptable behaviour in Canada.

The most common criminal charges are assault, DUI and theft, though it is not limited to those alone.  Sometimes, the criminal charges are dismissed, withdrawn, stayed or absolute or conditional discharge.  Regardless, once you have been charged for a criminal activity, you can jeapardize your immigration status.

Landed immigrants or permanent residents or refugees with a criminal record may not be granted Canadian citizenship if they have been charged with a criminal offence.

The good news is that once a Pardon is granted, the person can obtain Canadian citizenship without any discrimination.

Here is a letter we recently received from a person we helped to obtain a Pardon for a DUI:

“I am writing you to tell you thanks for your help with my Pardon.”

“I know it took me a while to write and send you this thank you letter, but I have a good reason.  I was waiting until I get my Canadian citizenship and because of your help, I am now a Canadian with a Canadian passport.”

“Now I feel like I belong here in Canada.  I am born again because of the good job you and your staff at Pardons Canada are doing.”

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – An Absolute Discharge does not mean “not guilty”

www.pardons.org

Many people who contact us are confused about their criminal charges.  They believe that an absolute discharge means that they are not “guilty” and that they will not have a criminal record.

While it is true that a criminal record will not exist for an absolute discharge after a one year period, the charge will remain on record and can be seen in a criminal background check.  The same holds true for conditional discharges, dismissed and stayed criminal charges as well.

We know this because we get many calls from people who are in shock that they were denied employment or questioned at the US border for an absolute discharge.  As far as an employer or immigration officer is concerned, an absolute discharge is a sign that the person was in trouble.  As a result, they are more likely to question your character.

Here is an example of a question we received by email:

“I was charged and went to court.  I was given an absolute discharge in Jan 2005. I am about to complete my teaching degree.  When I get a vulnerable sreaning sector report it shows up.  Then I have to to answer questions on it and the institution has it on file.  Can you get this removed and how fast? “

The good news is that it is possible to get an absolute discharge removed from the system so that it will NOT come up in a criminal background check.  The same is true for a conditional discharge, stayed, dismissed or acquitted criminal charges.

Once the charges are removed (fingerprints, photos, court and police records) then you will be safe to pass a criminal background check for work and travel purposes.

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – Getting a Pardon for a DUI

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Among the most common criminal charges in Canada is a DUI also known as Impaired Driving.  There are over 70,000 convictions nationwide each year and likely another countless thousands that were charged (fingerprinted and photographed) but not convicted.

When employers run a criminal background check they will see this conviction and even the non-conviction and in many cases they will pass on hiring the prospective employee.  Even though the criminal charge may not be considered “serious”, there will always be doubt in the employers mind about the person’s code of conduct, and it will be easier just to hire someone who does not have that criminal past.

We receive hundreds of calls from people who cannot get a promotion or even a job because of their past criminal record, even if it was a DUI that happened many years in the past.

Once a Canada Pardon is granted, the DUI or any other criminal activity will not show up on a criminal background check.

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – Travelling to the US with a criminal record is not advised

www.pardons.org

Many people who call us for a Pardon or US Entry Waiver (I-194) are in shock that they have been turned away at the US border because of an old criminal record.  The experience at the US border can be traumatic and embarassing as some customs officers can really make your life difficult.

If you have been denied entry to the US you will require a US Entry Waiver (I-194) to re-enter the US.  This application is complex and can take some time to prepare.  We have been helping Canadians to obtain US Entry Waivers for 20 years and have the expertise to make sure the application will be accepted by DHS (Department of Homeland Security).

If you have not been denied entry to the US but have a criminal record, no matter how “small” or seemingly insignificant then you require a Pardon to remove the criminal record.  If you receive a Canada Pardon it may be possible to cross the US Border without a US Entry Waiver.

Here is a letter from a client we recently helped to get a Pardon for an assault charge:

“Wow, that was just 10 months ago – your urgent service was well worth the small additional cost.”

“It still has not fully sunk in – and it probably won’t until I get my passport and go to another country on holidays for the first time in many years.”

“But even more importantly, now I will not have to turn down opportunities to travel when my work requires it – this is an immense relief.”

“Now I will be able to say an emphatic “yes” with a clear conscience when being asked to travel to the US.”

“Thank you Pardons Canada to your councilors for all your help.”

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – Get a Pardon in Canada and take advantage of your right as a Canadian

www.pardons.org

We are fortunate to live in a country that gives its citizens a second chance in life.  In the US it is nearly impossible to get a Pardon for a past criminal record.

In Canada, it is written in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms that one cannot be discriminated upon once a Pardon has been granted.

It seems that the world has become a more paranoid place to live and as a result more institutions and employers are running criminal background checks.  Even if your criminal charges are really old or if the charges have been dismissed, withdrawn, stayed,  absolute or conditionally discharged, it will show up in a criminal background check and get in the way of employment, volunteering, travelling to the US and other important freedoms.

Every day we help Canadians obtain a Canada Pardon so that they can be free in their lives and get the second chance they deserve.  Here is a letter we recently received from a client we helped to remove an old DUI or Impaired Driving record:

“I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Pardons Canada for the assistance they provided in the expungement of my criminal record.”

“This is a much needed service for people such as myself who have a criminal record but have no idea how to go about resolving past issues to clear their name.  Without their help I may have given up the idea of even trying to go through the government bureaucracy to start the Pardon process.”

“I would have had no inkling on where to begin or who to contact to start the cumbersome Pardon process of gathering all the data necessary to complete the application process.”

“Without the assistance of Pardons Canada, many Canadians will unnecesarily forgo their privelege as a Canadian citizen to travel to the US because of poor behavioural choices in their past.

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – Even Volunteer Positions Require a Criminal Background Check

www.pardons.org

Most people who call us to remove a criminal record are calling because they have discovered that the criminal record has impeded them from something in their lives currently.  Often the reasons for getting a Pardon are for employment or travel opportunities but there are many other ways a criminal record can get in the way including volunteering.

Even if your criminal record is really old or if you have been charged but the charges were dismissed, withdrawn, stayed or conditional or absolute discharge, it will still show up on a criminal background check.

It is important to take the necessary steps to remove your criminal record from public record so that you can be free to live your life without the worry of it coming back to haunt you.

Here is a letter we recently received from a client we helped to obtain a Canada Pardon for a theft charge 20 years ago:

“I had a situation where a lawyer informed me to plead guilty or else it would cost me years in court to try to settle a case that she thought that I would lose anyhow.”

“So a frightened 20 yr. old, I agreed with her, not realizing that I would receive a criminal record as a result.”

“I only realized the implication of that old charge when I applied to volunteer for the school board and couldn’t do so due to that 20 year old charge.”

“Thank you Pardons Canada for all the work that you accomplished to allow me to enjoy a life without worries.”

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.