Criminal Record Services

If convicted of a criminal offence in Canada, a record is registered against you for life with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).  Your criminal record is available through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) to all police services, customs, authorized agencies and USA law enforcement.  Criminal records contain information about your identity, charges against you, convictions, fingerprints, photographs, and DNA. 

You can get four kinds of police records checks in Ontario, which the Police Record Checks Reform Act governs.

1.  Criminal record check
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) is a search of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) databases and is usually required for employment purposes, by-law licences or immigration purposes.

What does it include?
- Criminal convictions
- Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice
   Act (YCJA), within the applicable disclosure period

Who needs it?
Criminal record checks are often required for those working in financial institutions, with municipal and by-law licences or those in the travel, immigration and retail industries.

2.  Criminal record and judicial matters record checks
The Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) is for those seeking employment or volunteer positions with agencies that require a criminal record check.

What does it include?
- Criminal convictions
- Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice
   Act (YCJA) within the applicable disclosure period -
- Outstanding entries, such as charges and warrants,
   judicial orders, Probation and Prohibition Orders.
   As per CPIC policy, information obtained from the
   Investigative Databank must be confirmed and
   authorized for release by the contributing agency
- Absolute and conditional discharges for one or   
   three years respectively.

Who needs it?
CRJMCs are often required by those serving as Board of Directors, IT personnel, as well as construction staff at daycares, schools, hospitals and long-term care facilities.

3.  Vulnerable sector record checks 
The Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) screens those working or volunteering with vulnerable persons.  A vulnerable person is someone who is:
- in a position of dependence on others
- at a greater risk than the general population of
  being harmed by a person in a position of authority
  or trust due to their age, a disability or other
  circumstances (temporary or permanent)

What does this check cover?
- Criminal convictions
- Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice
   Act (YCJA) within the applicable disclosure period
- Outstanding entries, such as charges, warrants,
   judicial orders, Peace Bonds, Probation and
   Prohibition Orders
- Absolute and conditional discharges for one or 
   three years respectively
- Disposition of Not Criminally Responsible by
   Reason for Mental Disorder
- Criminal charges resulting in dispositions and non-
   conviction including (but not limited to): Stayed,   
   Withdrawn, Dismissed, Not Guilty, and cases of not
   criminally responsible because of a mental disorder
   as listed on local police indices in accordance with
   federal and provincial legislation
- All record suspensions authorized for release by the
   Minister of Public Safety and Emergency
   Preparedness

Who needs it?
A VSC is needed for doctors, nurses, hospital employees, dentists, teachers, non-teaching staff in schools (such as janitors and administrative support), early childcare educators, daycare employees, and employees in long-term care facilities who provide health services to vulnerable adults, social workers, taxi drivers, sports coaches, etc. 

4.  OPP Non-Parent Custody
Involves checks related to the Youth Children and Family Services Act and the Office of the Children's Lawyer.  

What does it include?
- Criminal convictions
-  Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
   within the applicable disclosure period
- Outstanding entries, such as charges and warrants, judicial
   orders, Peace Bonds, and Probation and Prohibition Orders.  As
   per CPIC policy, information obtained from the Investigative
   Databank must be confirmed and authorized for release by the
   contributing agency
- Absolute and conditional discharges for one or three years
   respectively
- Every contact between the applicant and a police force that has
   a written record, unless one of the exceptions in S. 1(3) of O.
   Reg. 24/10 apply criminals.
- Charges resulting in dispositions and non-conviction, including,
   but not limited to Stayed, Withdrawn, Dismissed, Not Guilty,
   and cases of not being criminally responsible by reason of
   mental disorder as listed on local police indices in accordance
   with federal and provincial legislation

How Does Criminal Record Affect You?  Your criminal record will affect you in many ways.
- When applying for employment, most employers will do a
   criminal record check before offering you work and will see that
   you have a criminal record.  Employers will not hire someone
   with a criminal conviction, especially if you are seeking
   employment with a bank or a government agency.
- When you travel, border officials can question you about your
   criminal record and can deny you access when entering their
   country.
- In Family law matters, a judge can take your criminal
   record into consideration when making a decision.
- When applying for Canadian citizenship, you will be denied
   citizenship if you have a criminal record.
- Not a permanent resident in Canada, you may be deported if you
   commit criminal acts and is not a Canadian citizen.
- An insurer can refuse to insure if you have a criminal record.

SJG Legal can help you "Take Back Your Life" by getting a fresh start.  Apply for suspension/pardon or expungement; call us to discuss your options.