| A common misconception regarding pardon | | | | crimes and receive less serious sentences. If a |
| applications is that once a pardon is granted, the | | | | person receives a pardon and reoffends then the |
| criminal record is removed from all systems and | | | | pardon granted decision is overturned and they |
| the record is wiped clean. The purpose of a | | | | are back to where they were before. With the |
| pardon is to seal a person's criminal record once | | | | new pardon laws recently passed by the Canadian |
| they meet the eligibility requirements. This | | | | government this also means that the National |
| means they have been crime free for three, five | | | | Parole Board will take any past offences, and the |
| or ten years depending on the seriousness of | | | | overturned pardon, into consideration if that |
| their offence or offences. This also means that | | | | person applies for a pardon again in the future. |
| that person has proven to the National Parole | | | | With new offences, eligibility wait times will once |
| Board that they deserve the pardon, that they | | | | again reflect the most recent conviction. |
| need it to better their life, and that they meet | | | | Pardons are not get out of jail free cards, nor do |
| the requirements to be granted a pardon. | | | | they permanently erase a person's criminal record. |
| If a person can prove that they meet the pardon | | | | Pardons are intended to seal criminal records for |
| eligibility requirements they will be granted a | | | | people who have learned from their mistakes and |
| pardon so that they can pass security checks, | | | | who have made a conscious effort to move |
| apply for jobs, travel and volunteer among other | | | | ahead with their lives by living crime free. The |
| things. However, the terms of a granted pardon | | | | pardon system is in place to allow people who |
| are conditional on that person remaining crime | | | | have demonstrated their rehabilitation to apply to |
| free. If a person with a pardon granted faces | | | | have their record sealed so that it no longer |
| new charges, their previous offences will be | | | | negatively impacts their day to day life. |
| brought forward. If that person is then | | | | Express Pardons specializes in Canadian pardons |
| convicted, their pardon is overturned and their | | | | and can answer any questions regarding this and |
| entire record is in the system again. | | | | anything else regarding pardons and criminal |
| It is important for people to know that having a | | | | records. Visit our website or contact our office |
| pardon does not give a person a free pass or | | | | at 1-866-416-6772 to speak to one of our highly |
| blank slate so that they can commit additional | | | | trained legal specialists today. |