Many convictions in the U.S., including DUI and Reckless driving, can make a person inadmissible to Canada for many, many years. This is because criminal inadmissibility is based on how the equivalent offense is treated in Canada, not in the country where the conviction occurred. That is why it is important to contact a Seattle DUI Attorney when charged with a serious crime such as a DUI.
In many cases, an American with a criminal record may have been able to travel in and out of Canada without any problem. This is largely because Canadian border officials do not routinely ask every person entering Canada whether they have a criminal conviction. However, Canadian border officials do have computer access to many U.S. criminal records, and more frequently now Americans with criminal records are experiencing problems at the Canadian border, especially those charged or convicted of a DUI in Washington. Being denied entry into Canada can be both embarrassing and costly to a business and trade.
If a border official asks whether you have any criminal convictions, always answer truthfully. Failure to disclose could result in a temporary ban from Canada for misrepresentation, and will make border officials less willing to use discretion to permit entry into Canada.
If a border official finds someone is criminally inadmissible, there are both temporary and permanent ways to overcome the inadmissibility, including the following options: 1) Expungement of U.S. convictions, when available, will generally overcome inadmissibility, 2) Five years after the completion of the sentence, individuals can apply for Criminal Rehabilitation; 3) Prior to the five years, a person can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) which does not do away with the inadmissibility, but allows temporary entry into Canada; or 4) Ten years after the completion of a sentence (where there is a single conviction) a person may be eligible for Deemed Rehabilitation
It is always recommended that you consult a Canadian immigration lawyer about any criminal offense, no matter how minor or how ancient, before trying to enter Canada. The more lead time the better, as the process can time to process. In order to avoid any of these issues, it is important to contact a Seattle DUI Lawyer to ensure that you are protected.
The Seattle DUI Attorneys of SQ Attorneys are experienced and proven negotiators that make a world of difference for those accused of DUI. SQ Attorneys is a team of seasoned Seattle DUI lawyers that work tireless to achieve the best possible outcome for each and every client they have the honor of representing. Arrested for DUI in Western Washington? Call The Criminal Defense Team of SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900 or (425) 998-8384 for an initial free consultation.