A criminal record can limit your ability to pursue your goals. You may be locked out of future opportunities. Here are a few ways a criminal record affects your life. Read on to see what you can do.
1. Loss of rights due to criminal record
A first offence involving a weapon, for instance, could result in a prohibition period up to 10 years. In some cases, it could be a lifetime.
After driving impaired, you lose the right to operate a motor vehicle for a certain period of time, and there may also be additional consequences that follow. Maybe you lost your licence. Some people have even lost their professional or business licenses. You may have trouble finding a job.
Your criminal record can complicate your life when you least expect it. This is especially true for those who received a conviction in the distant past. Clients have shared social stigma and financial setbacks. A criminal record can act a as dark cloud, following you everywhere you go.
2. Impact on future employment
Some people have records that are more than 10 years old. Still they struggle to find work. Your record could be one of the most frustrating barriers you face. This is because most companies run a background check.
At the end of the day, first impressions are everything. Being arrested and convicted of a criminal act is a major red flag. It prevents many qualified applicants from reaching the interview process.
This isn’t the only problem. There have also been cases where employees have lost their jobs even if they’ve held them for years. If a criminal record search is suddenly requested, you may not be protected. It may depend on the nature of the position. You may have to fight to keep your job.
Some careers where background checks are commonly requested are:
- Nurses
- Bank employees
- Daycare workers
- Teachers
- Law enforcement officers
- Truck drivers
- Couriers
3. Inability to travel
You may have already encountered issues regarding employment, but did you know your record could stop you from seeing the world? If travelling is on your bucket list, understand that you may be restricted.
When travelling outside of Canada, you can be denied entry into certain countries, including the United States. In fact, the United States has very strict immigration rules, and even those with minor offences can be denied entry.
Your record may also affect opportunities abroad. For many nonresident individuals in Canada, including permanent residents, a criminal record could result in deportation. Although each case is unique, more often than not, the removal process is not part of the sentence, but is, instead, one of those additional consequences.
What should you do?
Although your criminal record is a negative label, it can be removed. Depending on your situation, you may want to apply for a pardon, also known as a Record Suspension. Or you may want to obtain a U.S. Entry Waiver. If you’d like to eliminate the stigma associated with your past, why not book a free consultation?