How Much Does Having a Criminal Record Affect Your Life in Canada

While having a criminal record doesn’t mean you’ll be barred from having any success or personal growth, it certainly poses some difficult barriers. Even having one criminal charge on your record can have an impact on day-to-day life for Canadians.

Some of the barriers in place differ based on the severity of the offence and whether or not the individual is a repeated offender; however, even lighter offences or charges from the past remain on your record and can pose difficulties. Even if you were charged for an offence and found innocent, the mark will still appear on your record and will impact your life.

In Canada, there are measures that can help individuals move past their criminal past and progress forward with a clear record. There are amazing criminal lawyers in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and all other cities across the country that are essential to hire if you’ve been charged.

Here are some of the areas of your life that may be affected if you have any charges on your criminal record.

Employment

Most employers require a criminal record check before hiring. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be hired if your record isn’t clean, but no law states that employers can’t refuse an applicant because of their criminal record.

If you do find employment, your opportunities to advance in the company may be limited compared to colleagues without a record.

That being said, certain professions, specifically those working with vulnerable populations such as nurses, doctors, dentists and social workers, won’t hire you at all if you have anything on your record.

Education

Similar to employment, some educational institutions may require a criminal record check before offering admission. This may only be for specific programs; however, it is important to check before applying to see whether your record will affect your possible education.

Not having access to education can make the job hunt more difficult, thus creating a challenging loop to break.

Travel and Immigration

If you have a criminal record, you may not be able to travel or move outside of the country. This varies country-to-country, but there are some restrictions for travelling depending on what your offences are and how many offences you have.

In reverse, if you have a criminal record outside of Canada, you may not be able to travel to or immigrate into the country. Always check before you plan on travelling to see whether your record will impact your ability to enter a different country to ensure you won’t be blindsided and denied entry upon reaching customs.

Custody and Adoption

To adopt in Canada, you must undergo a vulnerable sector search which is a form of a criminal record check. If a record is found, you will likely not be able to adopt, especially if your charges have anything to do with children. This also applies for becoming a foster parent.

If you already have kids and are going through a divorce, the judge can use a criminal record to give evidence for each parents’ character when determining custody. Having a criminal record could negatively impact a parent’s ability to have any custody or even visitation rights depending on the charges, the judge and the other parent’s record.

While having a criminal record doesn’t mean you’ll be barred from having any success or personal growth, it certainly poses some difficult barriers. Even having one criminal charge on your record can have an impact on day-to-day life for Canadians.

Some of the barriers in place differ based on the severity of the offence and whether or not the individual is a repeated offender; however, even lighter offences or charges from the past remain on your record and can pose difficulties. Even if you were charged for an offence and found innocent, the mark will still appear on your record and will impact your life.

In Canada, there are measures that can help individuals move past their criminal past and progress forward with a clear record. There are amazing criminal lawyers in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and all other cities across the country that are essential to hire if you’ve been charged.

Here are some of the areas of your life that may be affected if you have any charges on your criminal record.

Employment

Most employers require a criminal record check before hiring. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be hired if your record isn’t clean, but no law states that employers can’t refuse an applicant because of their criminal record.

If you do find employment, your opportunities to advance in the company may be limited compared to colleagues without a record.

That being said, certain professions, specifically those working with vulnerable populations such as nurses, doctors, dentists and social workers, won’t hire you at all if you have anything on your record.

Education

Similar to employment, some educational institutions may require a criminal record check before offering admission. This may only be for specific programs; however, it is important to check before applying to see whether your record will affect your possible education.

Not having access to education can make the job hunt more difficult, thus creating a challenging loop to break.

Travel and Immigration

If you have a criminal record, you may not be able to travel or move outside of the country. This varies country-to-country, but there are some restrictions for travelling depending on what your offences are and how many offences you have.

In reverse, if you have a criminal record outside of Canada, you may not be able to travel to or immigrate into the country. Always check before you plan on travelling to see whether your record will impact your ability to enter a different country to ensure you won’t be blindsided and denied entry upon reaching customs.

Custody and Adoption

To adopt in Canada, you must undergo a vulnerable sector search which is a form of a criminal record check. If a record is found, you will likely not be able to adopt, especially if your charges have anything to do with children. This also applies for becoming a foster parent.

If you already have kids and are going through a divorce, the judge can use a criminal record to give evidence for each parents’ character when determining custody. Having a criminal record could negatively impact a parent’s ability to have any custody or even visitation rights depending on the charges, the judge and the other parent’s record.