Some Important Details About Obtaining Criminal Pardon in Canada

The National Parole Board of Canada (NPBC, for pardon Canada) lets persons who have been convicted of a felony to eradicate their criminal file from federal databases. This procedure is termed a pardon. It ‘veils’ an individual’s criminal record, and is an acknowledgement from the NPBC that a person has been reformed and is leading a crime-free lifestyle.

There are several benefits linked with obtaining a criminal pardon. The apparent benefits include: marketability in the labor force; security from discrimination that is commonly linked to applying for a job; and the ability to engage in activities that previously limited an individual as a consequence of their criminal documentation (e.g. volunteering, schooling, child custody, adopting, and so on). Further benefits include taking away of shame, a boost in confidence, and the calmness that you are no longer a captive to your past.
 
Here are some essential facts about criminal records and pardons: criminal file checks are conventional procedure by employers. Many employers have prejudiced hiring guidelines with regards to individuals who have criminal documentations; anyone convicted of a felony has a criminal documentation; an official request must be made consistent with the Criminal Records Act of Canada to have a record taken out from the federal database; Once a pardon is endorsed, the criminal documentation is ‘secreted’ from the public. Employers will be uninformed of a criminal file when consulting federal databases.
 
The National Parole Board of Canada requires individuals to have completed certain conditions before submission of an application. The first prerequisite is that an individual has completed their prison term(s), and the second condition is that the apposite waiting period has been followed following completion of the prison term(s). Concerning the first prerequisite, prison term completion, here are the prerequisites which should be met: fines, costs, restitution and reparation orders, and surcharges have been paid; the individual has served their time as discussed in their verdict; and the person has completed the probation order acceptably. For the second requisite, waiting period after sentence completion, in accordance with the Canadian Criminal Code and supplementary federal acts, summary guilty verdicts entail a 3 year waiting interval while indictable guilty verdicts necessitate a 5 year waiting stage.
 
If you feel you are not eligible, contact Canadian Criminal Pardon Services (CCPS, Toronto pardon). Some components of your file can be initiated early and this will considerably lessen the amount of time you will have to wait for a Pardon. If your file is collected early, they will be able to submit it as soon as you are eligible.
 
CCPS takes a proactive approach in initiating your Pardon file request. They understand the value of time and the crucial importance attached to getting a Pardon as early as achievable. Immediately after you have given them authorization to take action on your behalf, CCPS will take the required steps to ensure all your documents are prepared and meet the prerequisites of the National Parole Board of Canada. CCPS will make contact with all pertinent courts, police groups, and other government units - depending on your case - to make sure that your file is collected correctly.