Overview: Impaired Driving Criminal Record
You should be concerned about any type of criminal record as it may affect your ability to secure a job, travel, or make other important applications.
A DUI (or impaired driving conviction) in Canada can attract legal penalties and hefty fines amounting to thousands of dollars. Other possibilities include a driver’s license suspension and/or jail time in some cases. Lifelong impacts include difficulty securing employment and child custody, higher motor insurance rates, travel restrictions, and more.
However, this doesn’t have to be your entire life’s story. Let’s discuss how you can have a DUI record suspended in Canada. But first things first, how serious is a DUI in Canada?
Is A DUI A Criminal Offense?
Yes! As per the Canadian Criminal Code 320.14 (1) a, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime if your level of intoxication surpasses the legal limit, meaning driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (or BAC) of 80mm or more per 100ml blood.
Is Drunk Driving A Felony in Canada?
It depends! If other factors come into play, such as if you pose a serious threat to the public while intoxicated, the crime can easily graduate into a more serious criminal offense i.e. a felony. The same applies to whether it’s a first-time DUI conviction or subsequent offense and if you have caused actual injury (bodily harm) or death while driving under the influence. In this last scenario, DUIs can be prosecuted as felonies attracting serious penalties and years in prison (or life in prison).
How Long Does a Criminal Record Last in Canada?
Well, it depends on the crime and the record in question. In Canada, DUIs stay on your driving record for a minimum of 3 years (from date of conviction). For motor vehicle insurance purposes, a DUI record can affect the premium rates your insurance company will charge you for 6 years (after a criminal conviction). In regard to criminal public records, DUI convictions in Canada can stay on your record for decades (at least 80 years).
In a nutshell, a DUI conviction won’t automatically be removed from your record even if you never drive under the influence again.
This is because DUIs are considered criminal offences in Canada and convictions must be recorded on an individual’s criminal record whether you are a first-time or repeat offender. It’s worth noting that even if you were not convicted, the DUI arrest will remain in your criminal background checks. Anyone who does a background check can find out the details of your arrest in RCMP criminal record databases.
Can a DUI Record be Removed in Canada?
Yes! If you don’t want your DUI arrest or conviction to stay on your record indefinitely, you can definitely get it removed. But how?
Getting a DUI Record Suspension (DUI Pardon) in Canada
To get a DUI pardon, you need to meet the eligibility requirements, among other conditions to be able to apply. Generally, you should have paid all fines and completed your sentence if applicable. There’s also a waiting period dependent on how the court treats your impaired driving charge. Lesser charges and prison sentences attract a shorter waiting period.
Assuming you have met all waiting period, fine, and sentencing requirements, you can proceed and fill out your DUI pardon application which will require you to submit application forms, fingerprints, and other documentation depending on your case.
It’s worth noting that an application can be rejected by the parole board for many reasons ranging from whether you have filled the application completely to if you have maintained perfect conduct (after your DUI charge or conviction). If you have had some negative interactions with the law, you need to proactively address this in your application or you won’t be pardoned.
As you can see, getting your DUI record to be successfully pardoned isn’t easy. We suggest you seek professional help from proven experts like Canadian Pardon Application Services with 575,000+ successful applications since 1970.
Pardon application experts are the best-placed individuals to ensure you don’t apply in vain. They can also advise on having a criminal history record expunged (record destruction) if your impaired driving charge didn’t result in a conviction or you have already been pardoned.
How to Get a DUI Suspension (Pardon) in Record Time
Considering a criminal record can affect your ability to secure a job and travel, it’s understandable why you may want a pardon fast. While a person can’t apply for a pardon before a specific period of time (when they are eligible) and you can’t “cut the line” to speed up the approval process, there are some things you can consider to secure a pardon faster:
- Apply as Early as Possible
You should apply as soon as you are eligible. Considering this will be dictated by the circumstances of your case, it helps to seek expert help to know your eligibility date ahead of time. You should also prepare documentation as early as possible.
- Fill Out Your Measurable Benefit/Sustained Rehabilitation Form Perfectly
You must fill out your form completely, giving straightforward answers or the Parole Board may not be convinced that you deserve to have your DUI record suspended. It helps to avoid one-word answers and challenging the validity of your arrest/conviction.
- Submit an Error-free Application
You’ll also save time if you don’t make any mistakes in the application process. While the Parole Board returns applications with errors, this process takes time and may very well result in a rejection.
If you work with DUI pardon experts in Canada, you can avoid common mistakes. You’ll also get help establishing eligibility early and filling out the measurable benefit/sustained rehabilitation form to ensure you have your application approved in record time.
Final Thoughts
A DUI can stay on your record for years and affect many aspects of your life. For instance, DUIs stay on a person’s driving record in Canada for a minimum of 3 years (from the date of conviction). For insurance purposes, DUI records can affect your insurance policy premium rates for 6 years (after a conviction).
If you don’t act and have the record pardoned, a DUI conviction can stay for decades on your record (at least 80 years). However, securing a pardon isn’t easy. While you can attempt to do everything on your own, your chances of success are slim. That’s where pardon application services come in.
Canadian Pardon Application Services is one such company that helps Canadians secure pardons, clear their records, and leave past mistakes behind. The company has had over 575,000 applications approved successfully since 1970. There’s no need to hire an expensive criminal defense lawyer. We already have a team of legal and administrative professionals.
Get a FREE CONSULTATION by sending a message online or calling 1-888-853-8189.
