We often receive emails or phone calls from people who have recently discovered that their old criminal conviction has come back to haunt them. It usually occurs when someone is applying for a new job, trying to get a promotion or traveling to the US.
The person with the old criminal record is in shock because they never realized it would have any negative affects in their future. Often, they could have obtained a Canada Pardon many years earlier but either never though about it or never knew it was possible to get a Pardon.
Sometime we have people who are desperate to get into the US or to get a specific job being offered to them and they ask if there is any exceptions to the waiting periods for Pardons. The answer is no, there are no exceptions to the waiting periods for Pardons which is currently set at 3 or 5 years from the end of your probation depending on the offence.
Its possible to start the pardon process early because it takes time to gather and prepare all the documentation but the date the pardon can be granted cannot be done early.
Here is an email we recently received from a person who is eager to get their pardon because its getting in the way of moving forward in their life:
“On July 14th, 2009 I plead guilty to \”Mischief Under\” and \”Breech of Undertaking\” in addition to receiving a Highway Traffic Act conviction of, \”Stunt-drive\”. ”
“I received (1)$500 fine payable the courts for both charges, $2,500 dollar highway traffic act fine, and 1 year probation, with the terms too keep the peace and be of good behavior.”
“I have no previous criminal record, I have paid all associated fines from the sentence and, of course, have kept of the peace and been of good behavior since this conviction. ”
“My question is, is the 4-year \”wait-time\” associated with my charge (3yr for both being summary charges + 1 yr probation term)something that is written in stone? Has there ever been an application for a pardon that has been initiated or processed early? Is there anyway that I can have these reviewed or removed – under any circumstances – earlier then this 4 year period? ”
“My circumstance, having two criminal charges on my record, is something that is literally stopping me from continuing a career that I have been schooling, working and preparing for over seven years. I am currently a certified Paramedic with the province of Ontario and also a member of the Canadian Forces. I have been working for the Forces full-time for the past three years and my obligatory contract is ending very soon. ”
“I have the choice to renew my contract with the Forces or make the transition to civilian paramedics. That being said, I have recently researched and confirmed the fact of that, the policy of the Ontario Ministry of Health is that no Paramedic can be given employment within a service in Ontario, with a criminal record. The same policy is found within all the provincially-run paramedic services in Canada as well. ”
“It is my intention to eliminate these charges from my record with the help of your service at the end of this 4 year period, but I remain hopeful that I can see this accomplished within an earlier time-frame, as so I can move on with my 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.
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