Avoid The Slow Bureaucracy And Hire A Pardon Services Agency
When an offender receives a standard pardon, it means that the Parole Board of Canada is ordering the removal of that individual’s criminal record from the Canadian Police Information Center computer data. Because of this, that offence cannot be seen by Canadian Police detachments anymore.
The record cannot be accessed by US Customs airport officials in their Advanced Passenger Information System as well. This grants you entry to the United States even after they conduct a background check on you.
When To Apply For A Canadian Pardon?
Avoid potential legal complications by getting a pardon if you have visited Canada after facing the following situations:
- You have been previously convicted and wish to have your criminal record removed.
- You have been accused of a crime but not convicted.
- You have been barred entry at the United States border by the Customs and Border Patrol.
For the first one, a pardon is needed because convictions cannot be expelled from one’s record automatically. As for the second, you will have to secure a Purge and File Destruction. Meanwhile, you will need a waiver if number three applies to you because Canadian pardons are not recognized by the USA.
However, it takes time before you can request for a pardon. Depending on the nature of the offence, you can start the application after five to ten years of good behaviour. The timer resets if you have been arrested or charged again after the previous offence. But once the pardon request is granted, it can take up to two weeks before the criminal record is removed.
The good news is that you can try and get a pardon by yourself. On the flip side, the bad news is that it is not easy to do. This depends on how crafty you are while the government keeps an eye on you.
Pardon Process In Canada
First, your fingerprints will be taken with the help of the law enforcement unit or a pardon service agency. Next, you must keep in touch with the nearest law enforcement station or court records office to facilitate your application for a pardon. These entities will be very demanding in processing your documents. Worst, the process in one office may differ from the other.
Case in point: some offices will require partial completion of the application while others prefer that you don’t accomplish the form until you are in the office. Otherwise, they will not accept the application. If you don’t want to go through this for an extensive period of time, then you must consider seeking the help of a pardon service agency.
Some agencies might con you that applying for a pardon by yourself is not allowed and may end up charging you exorbitant fees. Because of this, you should select authentic agencies that charge within the accepted range.
It costs $631 to apply for a pardon in Canada. That doesn’t include the expenses for the documents needed. Add to this the fee that the agency charges and you will end up paying more. However, you are paying for the luxury of avoiding the cumbersome processes involved in this procedure.
Likewise, agencies can guarantee that your paperwork will be done completely and correctly. If you are not sure what to do and how to do it, better seek the assistance of these agencies. You can focus on other responsibilities you have while waiting for the pardon documents to arrive.
How To Choose The Right Canadian Pardon Service agency
First, the agency must have an office that you can visit. Otherwise, it would be hard to chase them for updates. Next, check if they provide fingerprinting services. Accreditation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is also a big plus.
If these conditions are met, read how the agency is assessed by the Better Business Bureau. Then, compare the fees they are charging and ask if it includes disbursement and government fees already. Finally, clarify if the monthly fees for their service are recurring or fixed.
Removing the literature about your offence enables you to enjoy more freedom. Since its effects will last throughout your life, make sure that you deal with a pardon service agency with a proven track record.
If you’re looking for a Canadian pardon, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
