As a non-citizen being charged with a criminal offence has dramatic implications and you should call our office for legal advice as soon as possible.
When you travel, as a foreign national living in Canada charged with a criminal act most countries will deny you access or require that you provide a Visa prior to allowing you entry.
Any border official can question you about your criminal record and deny access to their country, e.g. If you have been convicted of impaired driving and are trying to drive into the USA the US Customs officers will deny you access to drive across the border.
When you apply for a job or clearances, an employer can require that you provide a criminal record check, where you have been arrested for a criminal act, most employers will not higher you because of the criminal activity and that you maybe deported in the future.
If you wish to work in a government agency you may find that employment is denied or you may be required to obtain a criminal record suspension (pardon) before considered for work.
When dealing with family law or child custody issues a judge can take into consideration the criminal record as evidence of the person’s character. A criminal record could be considered evidence of bad character which may have an impact on who or under what terms child custody or visitation rights maybe granted.
In regards to educational institutions such as medicine, security, child care and businesses involving money e.g. banking or accounting, having a criminal record may disqualify the student from attending or graduating.
Any person applying for Canadian citizenship will be denied citizenship if they have a criminal record and those persons who do not have permanent residency in Canada maybe deported where they commit criminal acts in Canada.
If you are currently doing volunteering, you maybe asked to resign or be released from the calling.