How a Criminal Record Affects Your Personal & Financial Liberties
Being convicted of a crime is a serious matter that can lead to consequences that follow for many years. Some punishments, such as incarceration or being placed on a probation order, will follow directly after an individual is sentenced and last for a pre-determined period of time. Other consequences, such as the imposition of a criminal record, will last much longer into the future and could impact aspects of one’s life such as immigration, travel, and employment.
How Can a Criminal Record Impact Me?
A criminal record can have a number of impacts on your personal and financial liberties. Employers are generally allowed to ask whether or not a job applicant has a criminal record and make a successful criminal record check a condition of employment. Some employers are required by law to do a criminal record check, such as those hiring personal care providers for elderly individuals. While in some provinces human rights legislation prohibits discrimination in employment for criminal convictions that have been pardoned, the Alberta Human Rights Act does not contain such a provision. As well, many volunteer organizations may ask for a criminal record check, particularly when dealing with youth or vulnerable populations.
Certain professions, such as lawyers, paramedics and doctors require an individual to demonstrate good character to be admitted into the profession. A criminal record may serve as a bar to entry into these professions for some individuals.
A criminal record may also make travelling outside of Canada difficult. Every country has its own unique rules for accepting individuals with foreign criminal records. In general, factors consider include the nature of the offence, how long ago the offence was committed and character of the applicant. Serious violent offences or offences of a sexual nature make travelling abroad more difficult. Travelling to the United States requires that one has not been convicted of “a crime of moral turpitude.” Courts in the United States have not consistently defined this term so if you are planning to travel to the United States, you may wish to consult with a criminal lawyer in Red Deer beforehand to help ensure you get across the border smoothly. Receiving a pardon may not guarantee entry into the United States or another country.
Call Schnell Hardy Jones LLP for an Experienced Criminal Lawyer in Red Deer
Being charged with a criminal offence is a stressful situation for any individual to face. While some are tempted to plead guilty to get the matter over with, there are long term consequences to consider. If you or someone you care about has been charged with a criminal offence, be sure to speak to an experienced criminal lawyer in Red Deer immediately to ensure your legal rights are protected. This could impact employment, travel and other aspects of your life years into the future. To speak to a criminal lawyer you can trust to protect you legally, look no further than Schnell Hardy Jones LLP. With more than 50 years’ of experience, contact our office today for professional advice in a timely manner.
