11 Hurdles A Criminal Record Creates

Criminal records are documented lists of an individual’s criminal activity. When an individual has a criminal record it can create issues with traveling, employment and much more. A criminal record suspension removes an individual’s criminal activity from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). Suspensions can only be applied for after any sentences have been completed and the accused individual has showcased they are now fully committed to being a law-abiding citizen. When an individual has a criminal record, these are 11 specific instances that become more difficult, less likely and even impossible.

1. Acquiring A Permanent Residence

Getting approved for a mortgage loan is nearly impossible once you have been convicted of a crime. In regards to finding a home for renting, many landlords will ask for a background check. A failed background check often results in a declined rental application. You will likely be able to find a home for rent, though the process will be much more stressful, difficult and prolonged.

2. Acquiring A Volunteer Role

Volunteering can be ideal for attaining related experience for a future career path for simply helping others. Though, even volunteer positions can be harder to come across once an individual has a criminal record. Government volunteers or any role where you are alone with someone else can require background checks.

3. Starting Your Own Business

Even starting your own business can be made much more difficult if you have been criminally charged.  If a business needs to be bonded, licensed, or highly insured; a criminal record can create major hurdles with each of these requirements. Contractors, maids, accountants, repair service providers and several other occupations need to be bonded to legally operate.

4. Working In Youth-Related Occupations

Criminal records can immediately bar individuals from working in youth-focused environments like daycares and preschools. A criminal record can also lead to a declined license application for opening your own preschool or daycare.

5. Working In Gambling-Related Occupations

Careers that are found in a gambling-rich environment can be difficult to obtain once an individual has a criminal record. Background checks are required for all gambling related roles. Special licensing may even be required, as Casinos work hard to make sure they maintain strict hiring processes to avoid theft or associations with organized crime.

6. Handling Money At Work

If you are responsible for handling money in a proposed job role, employers may look down upon hiring someone with a criminal record. This holds especially true if the charges are in some way related to financial dishonesty. These kinds of charges can hold you back from careers in the financial industries as well as the retail sector.

7. Working As A Medical Professional

Medical facilities are very risk adverse to criminal records. Becoming a nurse, doctor, or any other medical professional can become out of reach due to a criminal record. A background check will be required as well as a Vulnerable Sector Check, which documents a previous criminal record suspension.  Drug offences, assault charges, or other criminal charges attached to your record can lead an application being declined.

8. Becoming A Teacher Of Any Kind

Once an individual has obtained a criminal record they will struggle to work in any sort of teaching role. Employers in the industry will require background checks and can decide not to hire you, after viewing the record.

9. Purchasing A Firearm

Background checks are required to purchase any firearm.  The specific charges on a record can also lead to a permanent firearm ban. If a ban has been issued, a Record Suspension cannot lift this purchasing restriction.

10. Working In Law Enforcement

Police officers must not have a criminal record.  Even minor offenses, from several years prior, can make it nearly impossible to become a law-enforcement officer. Record suspensions can be very effective if your career aspirations include law enforcement.

11. Working In The Government

Record checks are required for government roles. Political bodies do not want to be associated with individuals who have criminal records. If you want to run for any sort of municipal or local government, a background check will often be required as a base qualification. If you aim to work in the government, it is vital that your record remains clean.

 

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