Planning a wedding in another country brings its own complications however. For one, if any of the wedding party has a criminal record from their past, they will need a travel waiver to pass through the United States. A US travel waiver is a simple enough thing to obtain, but you do not want to be held up at customs because your best man didn’t have one.

Your destination does not have to be in the US for this to become an issue. Many flights connect through American cities in order to reach other popular places. It is inevitable that you will have to deal with the US border officials there who will pull your name up at customs to make sure there are no red flags. It’s their job to protect the border, and should they find a criminal record, they will do their duty should you not meet the requirements for entry into the US. If you have a criminal record, they can see it. Getting a pardon granted will eliminate this result.

Luckily, the process for getting a pardon granted is painless. This could be an easy solution to any travel woes but it’s important to know, if you have already made an attempt to cross into the US with a criminal record, they will keep this record on file for life. Once that has occurred your record will not be masked by a pardon. In that case you would need a US entry waiver for any further travel into the US. A travel waiver lasts for 5 years, so it is important to keep it up to date.

Canadian pardons or record suspensions, take time to complete. This is true now more than ever since our government has instituted their “tough on crime” policy. Navigating the red tape of a pardon application has gotten difficult for many, and they have given up on their hopes of ever receiving a pardon. We want you to know that we’re on your side. You should have the freedom to take any trip you desire.

Call Express Pardons today at 1-866-416-6772

Formerly known as Bill C-10, the new legislation is being viewed as draconian by many Canadian citizens. An increase in fees, lengthening the application waiting period for every citizen with a criminal record for a record suspension, and mandatory prison terms for convictions are just three of the things we’ve spoken out about here.  It’s important to remember though, that these things are just a small fraction of the larger bill.

The Canadian Bar Association opposed the bill from the start, offering a 100 page document that detailed their many issues with Bill C-10. Meanwhile, few Canadian citizens even knew what the bill was. Small wonder.

Bill C-10 passed through parliament and the house of commons so quickly, that Obert Madondo has called into question the legitimacy of our democratic process. Objections were brushed aside without fanfare, and taxpayers are now saddled with the $15 billion dollar price tag to implement the new laws.

“My hunger strike is demanding only the minimum of what Canadians should be demanding right now.” Obert says.  “We must stop Harper by any peaceful and democratic means necessary.”

Obert was arrested while expressing his freedom of speech during the “Occupy Ottawa” protests. This is an issue Express Pardons Canada raised awareness on earlier this year with the question: “Is Ottawa trying to limit freedom of expression with Bill C-10”? A justified question, as receiving a criminal record such as “failure to comply”, or “mischief” are common results for those arrested during protests. With harsher sentencing, and unnecessarily punitive and protracted eligibility periods for Record Suspensions (formerly Canadian Pardons), to remove such a criminal record, the question, although an indirect result of the law, is justified.

While we are not insisting that everyone join a hunger strike, we do encourage Canadians interested in the democratic future of our country to add their voices to Obert Madondo’s and give weight to his message by asking our parliament representatives for change. The goal is to revoke Bill C-10 and its misguided approach at rehabilitation. They can’t ignore Canadians forever.

You can follow his twitter feed here @Obiemad

Our best wishes go with you Obert.  Stay strong, stay healthy, and keep fighting for change!

The Parole Board of Canada expects to evaluate about 15,000 pardon applications annually, almost half of the 27,750 processed previously. That speaks to the current confidence level of Canadians with criminal records. Turnaround times on applications have also increased exponentially. Though many still meet the requirements for application, but now few are willing to start the process of wiping the slate clean for feeling overwhelmed.

This is an understandable reaction. The “tough on crime” approach taken by our current conservative government has had an alienating effect on the 1 in 7 citizens in this country with criminal records. So many of these people have already proved that they deserve a second chance. If you are one of these, you might be wondering what your next steps should be.

If You Have A Criminal Record – Talk to us.

We won’t mince words. We hate all the new legislation as much as you do, but with it now in full effect, it has never been more important to have Express Pardons on your side fighting for your rights.

With the new rules, pardon applications are being rejected for even the smallest issues. We’ve done this kind of paperwork enough times to know what to look for. We go through the application with you, and it gets done right the first time.

If You Have A Criminal Record – Talk to us.

Even if you’re unsure whether you meet the eligibility requirements for clearing up your criminal records yet, we can help you prepare. Being ready for the moment of redemption should be your focus now more than ever. The application process takes time, and the approval process takes more. Starting today could almost be like cutting in line and getting your pardon early.

If You Have A Criminal Record – Talk to us.

We believe in second chances. So while we wait for our next chance to improve this legislation for Canadians, let’s start work on improving your quality of life now. Let’s get you a pardon…uh.. I mean record suspension!

What exactly is a criminal record suspension?

A criminal record suspension will mask the fact that you ever had a criminal record.  Your records will not come up on any publicly searchable database. It is important to note that now more than ever employers, schools, adoption agencies and more are using criminal record background checks as a means to narrow down their lists of potential applicants. A list that may have begun with 30 people could be slashed to just 10 or 12 due to the background check. Wouldn’t you want to be among the few that still remain?

With a criminal record suspension you can easily apply for the work of your choice. There are plenty of opportunities in the community and abroad that require help from people willing to volunteer. It would be so unfortunate to be turned away from something you are passionate about because a mistake from your past appeared on your background check.

This may come as a surprise, but according to RCMP stats 1 in 7 Canadians holds a criminal record. The most commonly pardoned offense among Canadians is a simple drinking and driving conviction. Can you imagine? The job or volunteer position you want, all flushed down the pipes because a DUI came up on your background check? Don’t let a background check get you down again. Do the right thing and free yourself from such baggage. Enjoy every opportunity available to you.

The criminal record suspension application process takes time so take the first step. Contact Express Pardons for a free consultation to find out if your are eligible for a record suspension, and begin your record suspension application today.

At some point or another almost everyone has had an incident occur where the law was involved. This does not necessarily mean there was an actual arrest or conviction however. Are you aware that regardless of being convicted or not, once a police file has been created, that record will be kept on file and the incident may still appear on a common background or warrant check. If you have ever had a police file created in your name but were never convicted, these “non-conviction records” can and will still show up creating a red flag to anyone conducting a search on you.

The following items may need to be destroyed in order to clear your name from background or warrant check:

- Fingerprints and Photographs

- Arrest Records and Local Police Files

- Records of Withdrawn Charges or Stayed Proceedings

- Records of Acquittals – Conditional and Absolute Discharges Given Prior To July 1992

- Court Records of Conditional and Absolute Discharges

The background and warrant check are far too common in today’s society to take a chance. If you think you may be in need of a record purge then get on top of it sooner than later.

Express Pardons is an industry specialist when it comes to record purges and is ready to assist your application today. Call 1-866-416-6772 or visit www.expresspardons.com for further information

The waiting period for persons convicted of a summary offence (a minor crime), has been increased from 3 years to 5 years. For anyone convicted of an indictable offence (serious crime), the waiting period has been doubled from 5 years to 10 years before they can apply for a record suspension (as pardons will now be known). Anyone that was just 6 months away from being eligible for a pardon or record suspension, now has a few more years to wait under the new legislation. Does this mean we should forget about it, and get used to the burden of a criminal record? By no means!

If you’ve got a criminal record, we encourage you to start planning for your record suspension today. The process of applying for a record suspension takes time. This is why we’re in business. We make sure that your application meets all the requirements before filing to ensure a smooth and expedient turnaround. Much of the paperwork involved for a record suspension does not have an expiry date. That means we can start today, and file for a record suspension as soon as you become eligible. The wait times are bound to be longer, but there is no sense in waiting a day more than you need to.

Reach out for Change

The omnibus crime bill was passed into law by a majority conservative government looking to make good on a campaign promise from the previous federal election. Horribly misguided as Bill C-10 might be, there is a certain amount of hope in the idea that our government was willing to follow through on something. Canada is still a democratic nation, and we are not alone in our opposition. This conservative government has already been opposed by many organizations with respected voices in regards to the new bill. The Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Psychiatric Association, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and the Assembly of First Nations have all spoken out in protest. Not only this, but our universities from coast to coast (the very ones teaching our law), have also opposed many of the changes introduced.

What can we do personally? Write a letter. Make a phone call. Whether our local MP is a member of the conservative government or not, it does not matter. They each have a common goal to serve the people. If we make it clear, with our words and the research to back it up that these changes do not serve the interests of the public, we can at least start the ball rolling to make positive changes in the right direction once again. 1 in 7 seven adult Canadians lives with limitations from some form of criminal record. With our voices raised together, we can be heard.

Each and every day there are Canadians who attempt to cross the US border and are instead denied entry. Their reasons for denial could be as simple as a previous denied entry status or for holding a criminal record. US border officials may deny anyone entry to the United States for any reason.

Waiver Forms: Getting around a denied US entry

There is however, a way for previously denied Canadians to regain admission access if they have been denied in the past, granted they are eligible to apply. This re-entry is made possible by obtaining entry waiver forms, which essentially allow entry to the US for a person that would otherwise not be allowed. A US Waiver is granted through an administrative process, which produces a legal document directly from the US Customs and Border Protection Agency.

With US waiver forms in hand, entry to the US can be as easy as booking your next flight or packing up the car for a weekend trip. If you have ever been denied entry and would like to see if you are eligible, contact one of our waiver forms specialists today at 1-866-416-6772 or visit us online at www.expresspardons.com

Among other things, Bill C-10 aims to establish mandatory prison sentences for drug-related crimes, limit the use of conditional sentences, make it harder

Bill C-10: Tough on crime or tough on Canadians?

to get bail, and many with a criminal  record will find it more difficult to obtain a pardon or record suspension (as pardons will be known). The majority of the measures included will increase the amount of time that offenders must spend in jail or impose mandatory minimum sentences. Others will end house arrest for a broad spectrum of crimes and give the Public Safety Minister more leeway to deny the transfer back to Canada of citizens convicted abroad.

As if this wasn’t enough, when we begin to look at the actual costs involved in accommodating the new legislation, Canadians could ultimately be looking at up to $19 billion. One can’t help but wonder if the impact of such legislation on Canada’s citizens is truly being considered.

According to a senior Department of Justice advisor, harsh federal sentencing policies are propelling the country back to a time of massive prison overcrowding and riots. Such  federal priorities threaten to undo decades of correctional research and reform.

Bill C-10 cleared its third reading in the House of Commons back in December, and is poised to become law on March 16.

Lean more about the new legislation here

Once you have been convicted of a criminal offense you will also be branded with a criminal record. You do however, have a choice and an opportunity to clear your name if you are eligible to do so. This is where National Parole Board pardons play a large role. It is the National Parole Board that either accepts or denies each national pardon application that is processed.

By approving, denying or even revoking pardons, The National Parole Board plays the most integral part of the national pardon application process. This is an important process which contributes to the overall protection of our society.

In order for offenders to be granted reintegration rights as law-abiding citizens, they must first meet the following list of requirements as set out by  National Parole Board pardons, before submitting a national pardon application for consideration:

National Parole Board Pardons

• For a Summary offense, the waiting period required is 3 years from the completion of your sentence.

• For an Indictable offense, the required waiting period increases to 5 years from the completion of your sentence to be eligible. There are however, some indictable offenses considered to be more serious in nature, where the eligibility wait period can be as long as 10 years.

• You must have completed the full length of your sentence as well as any associated fines.

• In addition, you must also have remained a crime free, law abiding citizen.

If you meet these requirements then you may be eligible to begin your national pardon application and become one step closer to clearing your criminal record.

Please note, beware that some agencies falsely claim to be part of, or connected to the Canadian Government or National Parole Board by claiming their national pardon company is non-profit, thereby misleading the public. Non-profit simply refers to an accounting structure for a privately owned Canadian corporation, not to be confused with being a not for profit.

If you are unsure of your national pardon eligibility or would like to apply for a record suspension, contact one of our pardon representatives at 1-866-416-6772 or visit us online at www.expresspardons.com