Criminal Record Suspension in Canada

In Canada, Criminal Record Suspension is the term for what used to be called a pardon. Many people still use the term “pardon” which has become ubiquitous.

First, what is a criminal record suspension in Canada?

A criminal record suspension is a way for you to have a former criminal record “set aside.” The suspension does not erase the record.

Why do people want a record suspension?

There are many reasons why someone would want a record suspension. The two most common reasons are for travel and for employment. However getting a criminal record suspension does not guarantee the ability to get a visa for travel purposes to a specific country nor does it guarantee the ability to get a specific job.

The system for obtaining a criminal record suspension in Canada is designed so that the individual can apply for one him- or herself and does not require having a lawyer represent you. There are papers to fill out, and a fee to pay for the application to be processed.

Can a lawyer help?

Having a lawyer can probably help you, and we recommend it. Filling out the paperwork is an arduous job. There is also a long wait while the application is processed. Having a lawyer will not speed up the processing time. However, having a lawyer will ensure that you are, in fact, eligible for a criminal record suspension and that your application is filled out correctly. If you do it yourself and do it wrong, you will waste time, energy, money, and have a headache in the process.

Also, please note that if you obtain a criminal record suspension, it can be revoked at any time under certain circumstances.

If you are wanting to obtain a criminal record suspension in Canada, Michael Bloom can help you.

For more information on this topic, please visit the federal government’s website: https://www.canada.ca/en/parole-board/services/record-suspensions/what-is-a-record-suspension.html

Michael Bloom is a very experienced criminal defence lawyer, who started his career as a Crown Prosecutor.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to schedule a free consultation with Mr. Bloom, please call his office at (604) 603-5513 or Toll-Free at (877) 603-5513.