I have a question which I need some help on
I recently recevied a "Conditional Discahrge" from court after I was charged with shoplifting. Something I`m thourogly ashamed of.
I am going to apply for the BUNAC non student Canada programme in December this year as I want to go to Canada in 2008 for a year.. and I know I can still apply with this conviction and pray I get accepted.
I am hoping to get sponsered by a company whilst in Canada and get to stay there longer..but I am worried that this conviction is going to hinder me in that process.
I am asking therefore for anyone who has some info on this subject to please PM or message back.. Ive looked at websites etc but Im hoping someone has some first hand experience of how the canadian laws are with someon from the UK having a "conditional discharge".. I am not being sentence to any jail time or anything.. I paid no fine.... only got this discharge thing...
Sorry I don't think we want criminals here and no one would hire you anyway.
Maybe you should try Australia because their ancestors were all criminals so they'd understand you better.
Thanks for that ignorant reply. However I am hoping more tolerant will reply.. and I have not gone in fully into the circumstances but I can assure you I am not a "criminal"
This link may be of help - or not.
It's not very encouraging I'm afraid. You can't apply for rehabilitation for 5 years from the date of your conviction.
There is no way anyone can predict what Canadian Immigration will do, but generally a Conditional Discharge isn't a problem. By its very nature a CD means no jail, no fine, and no record after the waiting period is over - so long as you haven't re-offended.
It's a bit of a crap shoot, but there's nothing you can do to help the situation, so worrying is useless. You're not eligible for Canadian Criminal Rehabilitation status, so the process is out of your hands. Make your application and see what happens.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Terry
Lululemon......you ignorant loser!!! How's about you grow up and act like a educated person......oh hang on I'm sorry, your from Canada!!!!
CheersTerry is correct, nomadicgal. And please remember that there has been no conviction registered for this offence -- you have been discharged. You will therefore not be lying if, when asked the question "do you have a criminal record?", you respond "no".
For what it's worth, I have never heard of a situation where a record of a discharge was used to deny entry under these circumstances. If you are truly concerned with this issue, however, I would suggest that you contact a Canadian immigration lawyer.
In the UK a conditional discharge occurs when the defendant has been found guilty - ie convicted - but receives no punishment unless s/he reoffends within a period set by the court.
So in the UK OP does have a criminal record. I gather the definition is subtly different in Canada - which one the Canadians will use is a bit of a guess - probably their own.
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<hr>Lululemon......you ignorant loser!!! How's about you grow up and act like a educated person......oh hang on I'm sorry, your from Canada!!!!<hr></blockquote>
Classic. It's "you're from Canada", not "your from Canada" ms. educated non-Canadian.
rusty -- your comment is just as ignorant.
If, as #7 says, you were convicted but received no punishment, you cannot truthfully answer "no" to having a criminal record. I do not believe that Canim will look at interpreting it according to Canadian Law. They want to know if you have a criminal record in your own country. I suggest, as #6 did, you contact a canadian immigration lawyer and ask the question.
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