DUI Pardon Canada - Avoid These 6 Mistakes



- The key to getting a DUI Pardon in Canada is to get your application right before you submit it to the Parole Board of Canada.

- This seems obvious, but the reality is that the Parole Board rejects a huge number of DUI Pardons in Canada because of mistakes that can be avoided.

- Here are six of those mistakes.



Mistake #1 - Not answering every question



- To get your DUI Pardon in Canada, you need to answer every question with complete answers.

- The DUI Pardon application, which is now called the Record Suspension Application, is long and can be confusing.

- So, take your time and get the application right.

- Double-check your DUI Pardon application to ensure that every question has been answered fully and accurately.



Mistake #2 - Not telling the truth



- The Parole Board of Canada will take 6 to 12 months to approve your DUI Pardon in Canada.

- One of the reasons why it takes that long is because they will check your DUI Pardon application in depth to ensure that it is accurate and truthful.

- Ultimately, the Parole Board of Canada will find out the truth, so be honest when answering the questions.



Mistake #3 - Not including original documents



- To get your DUI Pardon in Canada, you need to submit original documents to the Parole Board of Canada.

- Specifically, you need to include the following original documents with your DUI Record Suspension application:



1 - Your original Criminal Record

2 - Your original Court Information Forms

3 - Your original Local Police Record Check

4 - If you were in the military, your original Military Conduct Sheet

5 - If applicable, your original Schedule 1 Exception Form

6 - Your original Record Suspension Application Form



- Before you send in your DUI Pardon Application, make sure you make photocopies of all your original documents for backup purposes.



Mistake #4 - Not being eligible



- To get a DUI Pardon in Canada, you need to be eligible.

- You should be aware of four key points.

- First, you need to complete your sentence in full.  That means paying all your fines, including the victim surcharge.

- Second, you need to wait.

- Your waiting period can be 3, 5 or 10 years.  The actual time depends on when you committed your DUI and if your DUI was handled by the court as a summary or indictable offence.

- Third, you need to be a law-abiding citizen.

- And fourth, make sure you do not submit your DUI Pardon application before the end of your waiting period.



Mistake #5 - Not including the fee



- Make sure when you send in your DUI Pardon application that you include the fee owed to the Parole Board of Canada.

- As of January 1, 2022, the fee is $50.

- Your DUI Pardon application will be returned if you don’t include the fee.



Mistake #6 - Not understanding the Measurable Benefit / Sustained Rehabilitation Form



- The hardest part of the DUI Pardon application in Canada is answering the questions in the Measurable Benefit / Sustained Rehabilitation Form.

- Here are three things you need to know about properly answering these questions.

- First.  Do not try to convince the Parole Board that you were innocent of your DUI.  

- Your DUI Pardon application is not the remedy if you believe you were wrongly convicted.

- Second, make sure you answer the questions in as much detail as possible.  Do not include “one-word” answers.

- And third, don’t say that you have forgotten the circumstances surrounding your DUI.  Your DUI Pardon in Canada will get refused.

- I am sure that your DUI conviction represents a time in your life that you want to forget. 

- But you need to revisit that time to properly answer the Measurable Benefit / Sustained Rehabilitation Form.

- Take your time and think through the who, what, when, where, and the how about your DUI to get your answers right.



https://youtu.be/mWgJ9_RG1V4 https://www.nextlaw.ca/2022/10/03/dui-pardon-canada-avoid-these-6-mistakes/