Record Suspension statistics show the benefits of having a pardon to the lives of Canadians. If you have a criminal record, you are not alone. In fact, one in eight Canadians has a criminal record.
With these kinds of numbers, it is no wonder the Canadian government established a pardon system to help Canadians clear their records. Initially this was seen as a public service. The government wanted to help people move forward with their lives, find jobs and be productive.
The government recognized that some people were experiencing unemployment and other negative setbacks as a result of their record.
The government also recognized that there are very few repeat criminals. Getting arrested once is usually enough to set most people back on the straight and narrow. Since the 1970s, less than five per cent of people who have received a pardon or Record Suspension have had it rescinded due to a new criminal record.
In the 1970s pardons were free because they were considered a public service. If you have a pardon, you can find a good job and be fully involved in your community. This is key to rehabilitation. Later the fee was raised to $150, which is still affordable to most people.
Unfortunately, in 2012, the pardon system suffered a setback when the government decided to raise the fees to $631 and extended the eligibility wait period from three or five years (depending on whether the charge was Summary or Indictable) to five or ten years. Today’s Record Suspension statistics show that this had a negative effect on applications.
Downward trend in Record Suspension statistics
Today when we look at the statistics for Record Suspensions, we can see that the number of applications has decreased. In 2012-13, the year that the government increased the fee and changed the eligibility criteria, there were 19,523 applications. Last year, there was only 12,384.
Another thing you should be aware of is the number of applications that are submitted that aren’t accepted by the Parole Board. Generally, only about 72-73 per cent of pardons make it through the initial screening process. There are several reasons a Record Suspension application could be returned:
- All the necessary documents were not provided
- Wrong documents were submitted
- Parts of the application were left blank or unsigned
- Fee was not enclosed
- The applicant was not qualified
If you submit your application to us, we will guarantee that it is complete and accepted at this stage. The Parole Board will make the ultimate decision on whether or not to grant your application.
What are the most common suspended records?
Sensational media stories lead some people to believe that the government is pardoning all kinds of serious criminals. However, the reality is very different. DUI or impaired driving is by far the most pardoned type of offence. Other common circumstances are theft, narcotics offences and assault.
It’s important not to minimize these actions, but it’s also important to realize that people make mistakes and the recidivism rate in Canada is quite low.
If you have one of these offences on your record, you are probably ready to move on from your past mistakes. We can help. Contact us today to find out if you are eligible for a Record Suspension at 1-866-972-7366.