What is a Record Suspension and How Does it Work
In Canada, a criminal record can have long-lasting impacts on an individual's life, affecting employment opportunities, travel possibilities, and social integration. However, the Canadian legal system offers a mechanism known as a "record suspension" to mitigate some of these challenges. This article explores what a record suspension is, its purpose and benefits, and the detailed process involved in obtaining one. What is a Record Suspension? A record suspension, previously known as a pardon, is a formal process through which a person’s criminal record is set aside. This does not erase the criminal record but rather separates it from other criminal records, effectively removing it from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database. As a result, it is not disclosed during routine criminal record checks, providing the individual with a clean slate for most purposes. Legal Framework Record suspensions are governed by the Criminal Records Act (CRA) of C...