Removing Criminal Records in Toronto - Trusted Guidance for Record Suspension and Beyond

Have you been convicted of a summary or indictable offence in the past? If so, you might be able to apply for a record suspension once you meet specific criteria. Generally, this involves completing a waiting period after all parts of your sentence are fully completed, including payment of fines, probation, and any other court-ordered conditions.

However, some offences are not eligible for a Record Suspension—such as Schedule 1 offences (e.g., certain sexual offences involving minors). These are only considered in rare cases where the applicant meets special exception criteria under Canadian law.

The good news is that the Parole Board of Canada manages this process. If they approve your application, your record will be kept separate from active criminal records and will not be disclosed during most background checks, giving you a clean slate in practical terms.

Sometimes, charges are withdrawn, dismissed, or stayed, which means you were not convicted of the offence. In such cases, you can apply to have any related police records or fingerprints withdrawn from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database. This helps clear your name and ensures these records don’t linger and affect things like job prospects or travel plans.

Even if your case resulted in an acquittal or you received an absolute or conditional discharge, those records may still appear in police databases and could be accessible during background checks. Thankfully, after a specific time frame—usually one year for discharges—there are mechanisms to remove or restrict access to these records. Doing so can shield you from unwelcome surprises during background checks.

For those convicted as youths, there's some leniency under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). Youth records are generally sealed and become inaccessible to the public after a prescribed period if no further offences occur. Many seek legal assistance to confirm this or to help navigate the process of ensuring these records remain sealed.

Knowing whether you're eligible to apply for a record suspension heavily depends on the type of offence and whether you've completed conditions such as paying fines or fulfilling probation terms. Different offences have varying waiting periods—generally 5 years for summary offences and 10 years for indictable offences—before you can apply.

Mistakes happen, and sometimes records reflect errors or even list the wrong person. If you suspect you’re a victim of mistaken identity or police error, there are legal avenues to request corrections, file complaints, or pursue judicial remedies to protect your good name.

If you're considering removing a criminal record or need advice on your options, consulting with experienced legal professionals is a wise step. At Sadro Law, we understand how important it is to protect your future, and we’re here to help you explore your options and work towards clearing your record.

In Canada, what we typically call "removing a criminal record" generally involves obtaining a Record Suspension. This doesn’t completely erase your history, but it does seal your criminal record from most background checks, meaning it won’t appear in most everyday situations, like when you're applying for a job or housing. At Sadro Law, we help you navigate the process so your past doesn’t hold you back.

Yes, you can include multiple eligible convictions in a single Record Suspension application, provided they meet the necessary legal criteria. Our job is to review your entire record to make sure all qualifying offences are addressed in one comprehensive application. This simplifies the process and can save you time and money.

A Record Suspension will remove your record from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, making it inaccessible to most public and private background checks. However, in rare cases, sealed records can still be accessed by police or certain government agencies under specific legal conditions. We explain these exceptions clearly so you won’t be caught off guard.

A lawyer ensures your application meets all legal requirements and avoids common errors that lead to rejection. At Sadro Law, we handle everything—from the paperwork to collecting necessary documents—and submit your application on your behalf. This attention to detail maximizes the likelihood of your application being approved the first time around.

Without the proper guidance, it’s easy to make mistakes such as missing documents, entering incorrect details, or missing deadlines—all of which can result in delays or even rejection. Our team makes sure nothing gets overlooked and that your application is correctly prepared from the get-go.

While we can’t cut down the standard legal waiting periods, we certainly help prevent delays that come from errors, missing files, or incomplete submissions. At Sadro Law, our thorough preparation and strict adherence to timelines ensure a quicker and smoother application experience overall.