File Destruction Services in Montreal

File Destruction Services in Montreal

There’s a lot to see and do when you live in Montreal, but sometimes, the things we do can lead to some serious mistakes. Those mistakes may even be enough to result in an arrest, charges laid, and perhaps even a trial in court. However, that trial may not lead to a conviction, which means that you have no criminal record.

You would think then, that this means if anyone should conduct a background check on you, it will come up clear, just as it did before you were arrested. In truth, that’s not always the case, and if that’s something you want to address, you’ll need to request a file destruction.

Trace Elements

If you are arrested, charged, and had your fingerprints taken, or even went to trial and had your case dismissed, withdrawn or you were found not guilty, there’s still evidence of this in your record. While it’s true that a background check will show that you have no criminal conviction, that same permanent record will still show that you have been arrested in your past and have fingerprints on record with the local police. The charges related to the arrest may also still be present, though of course it will be noted that the charges did not result in a conviction.

In other words, if you are arrested and fingerprinted, even if you have no criminal conviction on your record, a background check can still reveal that you were arrested in your past. It may even show the reason for the arrest.

Clearing The Fragments

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of your arrest, charges, and fingerprints showing up in a background check, you want to get a file destruction request approved.  This is a process that involves two different law enforcement organizations. A file destruction request needs the approval of the RCMP to go ahead. However, it also requires the approval of the police department that made the arrest and entered the fingerprints into the system.

Fortunately, because this is not a request to remove a criminal conviction—which would fall under the category of a record suspension—the requirements for getting a file destruction approved are not as stringent. It also means that the waiting period that is required before a file destruction application can be submitted is not as long as what a record suspension would require.

We Make Sure It Gets Done Right

Getting a file destruction approved, while easier and faster than a record suspension, is not necessarily simple. There are still many steps to take during the application process, documents to provide and other bureaucratic measures that have to be satisfied. Ultimately, it is still up to the RCMP and the police department in question to approve and honour a file destruction request, though if everything is done smoothly, and all the requirements are met, the chances of a successful file destruction are very high.

This is where we can help. We’re a non-profit organization that is focused on helping Canadians enjoy a clear record, whether that is a record suspension, a U.S. entry waiver for travel purposes, or a file destruction to clear out charges and fingerprints. If you’d like to get a file destruction for yourself, just contact us and explain your situation. We can help you to get the process started quickly and correctly.