Everyone deserves a second chance. If a criminal record is affecting your life, there may be some good news. The government implemented changes to the Criminal Records Act {CRA} in 2012 to make it easier for those who have paid for their mistakes to get a fresh start. Companies like Pardon Applications can help you with the process.
What is the Criminal Records Act?
It’s a piece of legislation that suspends the criminal records of people who have been successfully rehabilitated. It takes any official documentation of a criminal conviction out of the automated criminal records system and files it separately. This means that when you apply for a job or other actions that requires a criminal background check, your record won’t come up.
One of the changes made was to rename Canadian Pardon to Record Suspension in order to take some of the stigma out of the conviction. Those who are eligible have shown good conduct and are no longer engaged in criminal activities, so their past should no longer affect their future.
What Does a Pardon Accomplish?
The short answer is that it can change your life. Having even a minor record following you around can limit your ability to travel, make you ineligible for bonding, keep you from getting a job or even stop you from furthering your education. There’s also the shame attached to having to disclose past mistakes.
How Do You Apply for a Records Suspension?
There are a few preliminary requirements you must meet before submitting your application to the Pardon & U.S. Waiver Officers board. These include completing your sentences and passing the waiting period of five years. The rest of the process mainly involves obtaining records and filling in forms. The records you’ll need are:
- Convictions, Conditional and Absolute Discharges form
- Court records
- Military Conduct Sheet, if you’re a member or former member of the military
- Local Police Records Check{s}, Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Documents
- Photocopy of any documentation to support your identification
Once you have all of that gathered together, you’ll need to obtain and fill in Schedule 1 Exception, Record Suspension Application and Measurable Benefit/Sustained Rehabilitation forms. Place all of these items together, and send them with a processing fee of $631.00 {CDN} along with your application. Then all you need to do is wait a short time for an answer.
Going through the process alone may be stressful and confusing. If you think you’re a candidate to get your record suspended, talk to a lawyer about your situation. This act was meant to give people like you some relief so they can move forward with the lives.
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