 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Driving / September 2005Travel to Canada w/ Criminal Record
Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension (suspended for failure to appear). All misdemeanors/minor charges. I am planning on driving to Canada (Montreal) in a few years to get necessary medical treatment (surgery) which I can't get here in the US. There is a $600 deposit which is non-refundable if I don't show up at the hospital on the scheduled evening. I will leave the morning before the evening I am due to show up. I have researched this issue of the web, and you are not allowed to enter Canada with a criminal record from the US unless you apply for a Visa, or get permission from the Canadian government, or get a pardon from the US. This costs money though ($200 or so), and I refuse to pay, and be treated like a second-class citizen. It's not like I murdered someone or do drugs. I also hear it is at the boder officer's discretion, and sometimes they can still let you through, even with a criminal record, but some peopel are denied. I traveled to Canada over the Peace Bridge in Buffalo in the 1980's as a kid, and our family was just waved through by the Customs officer. No license needed. But travel restriction have tightened up since 9/11. From what I have read, most people just show their license and birth certificate or passport, and they are waved through. But they do do some random or for cause checking with online databases. And apparently, US and Canadian criminal records are now tied to your passport or driver license number now, at least according to some website. So they can determine this pretty quickly, unlike pre-9/11. Of course, they don't check most people, since the lines would be too long then. Chances are better if you are white, drive a nice car, have your family with you, and have a passport. I forgot to mention I also have an out-of-sate valid US driver's license (I can't get a DL in the state where I currently reside since my right to drive is suspended in two states due to failure to appear). Don't know if that matters. So can anyone give me advice on what are the chances of me being denied entry or given trouble if I just try to drive through without getting the criminal record thing cleared up? I just don't want to have to go through the hassle an be humiliated by having to get special permission to enter, which takes at least a few weeks, and is good for one time only, I think. I do not want to be treated like a second-class citizen. I am not. And this whole thing is overblown. This seems overly burdensome given the circumstances. And, also, are there any border crossing which are unmanned, perhaps in Vermont? Are certain places to cross easier, like in Buffalo? Thanks in advance. If you need to email me, post to the group if you want my email. > Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few > counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > This costs money though ($200 or so), and I refuse to pay, and be treated > like a second-class citizen. It's not like I murdered someone or do drugs. You think it's OK to be a thief, but that drugs are horrible?  SignatureBeliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing. - Maynard James Keenan >> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few >> counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > You think it's OK to be a thief, but that drugs are horrible? First, I am not a thief. Second, drugs are a more serious crime than stealing. Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. >>> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few >>> counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. I am not hear to discuss the past. I am hear to discuss entry into Canada for a US citizen. > I am not hear to discuss the past. I am hear to discuss entry into Canada > for a US citizen. If you think this is hard wait 'till some butch asks questions at the border as she pulls on surgical gloves. It will be a scream >>> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few >>> counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > First, I am not a thief. Second, drugs are a more serious crime than > stealing. Drug use is a victimless crime. Being a piece of sh.t thief hurts everybody. > Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. Ok. You're a thief who does not deserve to enter the fine nation of Canada. Go get your surgery in a country like Iran. Wait, they do their own kind of "hand surgery" on thieves in the Middle East. SignatureBeliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing. - Maynard James Keenan >>>> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a >>>> few [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Drug use is a victimless crime. Being a piece of sh.t thief hurts > everybody. Drug use is not a victimless crime a.s munch. >> Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. > > Ok. You're a thief who does not deserve to enter the fine nation of > Canada. Go get your surgery in a country like Iran. Wait, they do their > own kind of "hand surgery" on thieves in the Middle East. What part of "I am not a thief" do you not understand? If I am allowed to be in the US, then I am allowed to be in Canada, which is inferior to the US, btw. >>>>> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a >>>>> few [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > Drug use is not a victimless crime a.s munch. I'll give you that, only as far as meth abuse and hardcore crack and heroin abuse. Most "drug abuse" harms absolutely nobody. And I'm not even a drug abuser, just a libertarian who values freedom. >>> Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > What part of "I am not a thief" do you not understand? You admitted to being a thief. >If I am allowed to be > in the US, then I am allowed to be in Canada, which is inferior to the US, > btw. Your troll horns just peeked out from underneath your hat. SignatureBeliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing. - Maynard James Keenan >>>>>> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a >>>>>> few [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > heroin abuse. Most "drug abuse" harms absolutely nobody. And I'm not > even a drug abuser, just a libertarian who values freedom. It harms the user, his family, and society, which pays for his increased hospitalization, treatment, and legal costs. Drug dealers commit crimes to stay in business. Buying for them enables them. >>>> Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. >>> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > You admitted to being a thief. I was one. Not anymore. It's been a long time. I don't live in the past. You have done things you are not proud of either. >>If I am allowed to be >> in the US, then I am allowed to be in Canada, which is inferior to the >> US, >> btw. > > Your troll horns just peeked out from underneath your hat. I want useful advice, not some BS about the "fine country of Canada". >> I'll give you that, only as far as meth abuse and hardcore crack and >> heroin abuse. Most "drug abuse" harms absolutely nobody. And I'm not [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > hospitalization, treatment, and legal costs. Drug dealers commit crimes to > stay in business. Buying for them enables them. They commit "artificial crimes." Legalization would cause the crime to instantly vanish. >>>>> Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. >>>> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > You > have done things you are not proud of either. Good for you. Now if you enlighten yourself about a few things, you might end up rehibilitating. >> Your troll horns just peeked out from underneath your hat. > > I want useful advice, not some BS about the "fine country of Canada". With your draconian, freedom-abhorring beliefs, you won't fit in in Canada. SignatureBeliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing. - Maynard James Keenan >>> I'll give you that, only as far as meth abuse and hardcore crack and >>> heroin abuse. Most "drug abuse" harms absolutely nobody. And I'm not [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > They commit "artificial crimes." Legalization would cause the crime to > instantly vanish. As would legalization of theft, but they will never do this. >>>>>> Idiot. Now answer my question instead of trolling. Jeez. >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Good for you. Now if you enlighten yourself about a few things, you might > end up rehibilitating. Like what? I paid my fines. >>> Your troll horns just peeked out from underneath your hat. >> >> I want useful advice, not some BS about the "fine country of Canada". > > With your draconian, freedom-abhorring beliefs, you won't fit in in > Canada. I want freedom. Freedom to enter Canada without fear of harassment from the government for not so proud things from my past. >>>> I'll give you that, only as far as meth abuse and hardcore crack and >>>> heroin abuse. Most "drug abuse" harms absolutely nobody. And I'm not [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > As would legalization of theft, but they will never do this. Because theft personally hurts somebody. If somebody steals my car, I am out thousands of dollars and my insurance premiums go up. If somebody smokes a doobie, it does nothing to me. You're comparing apples to oranges. >>> I was one. Not anymore. It's been a long time. I don't live in the past. >>> You [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Like what? I paid my fines. About life. It's not as black-and-white, as cut-and-dry as you believe it to be. >>>> Your troll horns just peeked out from underneath your hat. >>> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the > government for not so proud things from my past. I agree that you should be allowed to travel to Canada with no problems. I also agree that somebody should be able to have fun *in the privacy of their own home* if they so choose, without fear of harassment from the government. SignatureBeliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing. - Maynard James Keenan >>>>> I'll give you that, only as far as meth abuse and hardcore crack and >>>>> heroin abuse. Most "drug abuse" harms absolutely nobody. And I'm not [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > their own home* if they so choose, without fear of harassment from the > government. Ok, fine. I neither agree nor disagree with the fight to legalize drugs as I haven;t really formed an opinion.. I respect your beliefs. That wasn't the reason I posted here. The reason I mentioned the drug thing, is that they are considered by the courts or police more serious usually than things like shoplifting (I am not talking about smoking a joint or two), and drugs usually set off alarms with law enforcement. Also, I wouldn't recommend that anyone try crossing the border with drugs or weapons on them. :) > Ok, fine. I neither agree nor disagree with the fight to legalize drugs > as [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > that > anyone try crossing the border with drugs or weapons on them. :) Fair enough. SignatureBeliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing. - Maynard James Keenan > Like what? I paid my fines. ...and due to your previous criminal tendencies in the past, you now have another "fine" to pay - the one for a visa. That's the price you have to pay for your earlier indiscretions. Tell your friends, tell your children, educate people about the hidden cost of your past - perhaps they can learn from your mistakes. Car insurance goes up if you`re a bad driver - why should this not apply to you being a good citizen ? > It harms the user, his family, and society, which pays for his increased > hospitalization, treatment, and legal costs. So you think cigarettes and booze should be banned too? >> It harms the user, his family, and society, which pays for his increased >> hospitalization, treatment, and legal costs. > >So you think cigarettes and booze should be banned too? Personally, yes. Either that, or currently-illegal drugs should be taxed rather then outlawed. Oh, and I've never done any illegal drugs in my life. SignaturePrayer has no place in the public schools, just like facts have no place in organized religion. -- Superintendent Chalmers >> What part of "I am not a thief" do you not understand? "I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few counts of bad checks and theft" was a mistake then? > What part of "I am not a thief" do you not understand? If I am allowed to > be in the US, then I am allowed to be in Canada, which is inferior to the > US, btw. Then you're a LIAR and a thief. In your own words: " I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few counts of bad checks and theft " I think you should stay home (or go and not come back). >> What part of "I am not a thief" do you not understand? If I am allowed to >> be in the US, then I am allowed to be in Canada, which is inferior to the >> US, btw. > > Then you're a LIAR and a thief. Does he sit and drink pennyroyal tea? SignatureBeliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe in nothing. - Maynard James Keenan >>>>>Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a >>>>>few [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > in the US, then I am allowed to be in Canada, which is inferior to the US, > btw. If I were a Canadian border crossing official, I would turn you back just for your attitude. You're not a thief despite "a few counts of bad checks and theft"? Canada is "inferior to the US"? If you weren't a US citizen and I manned a US border crossing post and knew what you're like, I wouldn't let you into the US. Why should Canada be any different? >>>Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few >>>counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > First, I am not a thief. Second, drugs are a more serious crime than > stealing. see above: you admitted : >>>>Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few >>>>counts of bad checks and theft, > Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, That should say "and also 1999", NOT "and also 2000". >> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, > > That should say "and also 1999", NOT "and also 2000". Changing your mind about your checkered past, hmmmm? >>> Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, >> >> That should say "and also 1999", NOT "and also 2000". > > Changing your mind about your checkered past, hmmmm? You are so funny, I am not even going to respond. >>>>Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, >>> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > You are so funny, I am not even going to respond. You already did. > Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few > counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension > (suspended for failure to appear). All misdemeanors/minor charges. I am > planning on driving to Canada (Montreal) in a few years to get necessary > medical treatment (surgery) which I can't get here in the US. 'cause the US hospital won't take your check! This is a pretty lame cross posted troll, what the heck surgery is "unavailable" in the US? Please. > This is a pretty lame cross posted troll, what the heck surgery > is "unavailable" in the US? Please. i believe that getting your penis cut off is unavailable in the u.s unless its going to save your life. >>Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few >>counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > This is a pretty lame cross posted troll, what the heck surgery > is "unavailable" in the US? Please. Montreal is famous in certain circles for the quality of their gender reassignment surgery. Most hospitals in the US do not do this surgery. My understanding (from documents buried several layers deep on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website) is that under the new immigration law passed a few years ago, a person with a single offense on record (or in some circumstances two misdemeanors) is "deemed rehabilitated" after 10 years from end of sentence served provided there is no further criminal record. Other situations (such as the one described above) will probably require a Temporary Resident Permit. Given the penalty for missing one's appointment it would behoove the original poster to get this straightened out in advance, as the fee is less than the penalty for a no-show. Disclaimer: I Am Not A Lawyer. Signature"So I'm an old hand at being banged about in the middle of the night. Occasionally by earthquakes." -- Nick Fitch on soc.motss Mike McManus, Rochester NY > > Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few > > counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > This is a pretty lame cross posted troll, what the heck surgery > is "unavailable" in the US? Please. I think somone already said: "gender reassignment". ;) Either that or (s)he voted for our Lord and Fuhrer GWB and they want their conscience removed. > > > Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few > > > counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Either that or (s)he voted for our Lord and Fuhrer GWB and they want > their conscience removed. Probably the best gender reassignment is available in the US at the place where it all began -- little Trinidad CO. Good chances of getting snagged. A fellow I know who had a single DUI conviction was turned back at the border. >Good chances of getting snagged. A fellow I know who had a single DUI >conviction was turned back at the border. Was he honest or did he lie about it? SignaturePrayer has no place in the public schools, just like facts have no place in organized religion. -- Superintendent Chalmers Maybe it's time for someone to make an effort to answer this nut's questions rationally. > Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few > counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > entry or given trouble if I just try to drive through without getting the > criminal record thing cleared up? Well, it could happen or it might not. If you take the chance and lose, you forfeit your $600 hospital deposit. Is that what you want? I just don't want to have to go through > the hassle an be humiliated by having to get special permission to enter, > which takes at least a few weeks, and is good for one time only, I think. I > do not want to be treated like a second-class citizen. I am not. And this > whole thing is overblown. This seems overly burdensome given the > circumstances. Apparently, one or both governments think you ARE a second-class citizen, by reason of your own actions. If I were you, I'd play it safe by not defying them to avoid what YOU define as humiliation; that is, if you are really interested in crossing the border and not in just making a point - "counting coup", in an old Native American pattern. > And, also, are there any border crossing which are unmanned, perhaps in > Vermont? Are certain places to cross easier, like in Buffalo? No. Less crowded, maybe, but not less vigilant. >Maybe it's time for someone to make an effort to answer this nut's >questions rationally. Well, his suspended license probably wouldn't be a problem if he were treavelling on public transit (bus, plane, train). *Driving* into Canada would be a crime in and of itself. Theft charges, etc.. Those are Big Red Flags. >I forgot to mention I also have an out-of-sate valid US driver's license (I >can't get a DL in the state where I currently reside since my right to drive >is suspended in two states due to failure to appear). Don't know if that >matters. I don't understand how you can have a driver's license if you are suspended in two states. Most states have reciprocity, meaning that if you are suspended in one state, you are suspended in 49 others. SignatureTo reply by e-mail, remove the "restrictor plate" >>I forgot to mention I also have an out-of-sate valid US driver's license (I >>can't get a DL in the state where I currently reside since my right to drive [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >two states. Most states have reciprocity, meaning that if you are suspended in >one state, you are suspended in 49 others. If he had a drivers license in two states, both could suspend it. The fact that it was already suspended at the time doesn't stop a second state from suspending their license. SignaturePrayer has no place in the public schools, just like facts have no place in organized religion. -- Superintendent Chalmers > >I forgot to mention I also have an out-of-sate valid US driver's license (I > >can't get a DL in the state where I currently reside since my right to drive [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > -- > To reply by e-mail, remove the "restrictor plate" He obtained the other one fraudulently. AFAIK a question is asked if you have another states license when you apply for a new one. So he not only is a thief etc. he is also a liar. Oh yeah, a fine upstanding citizen that is being harrassed by the system. Harry K > I don't understand how you can have a driver's license if you are suspended in > two states. Most states have reciprocity, meaning that if you are suspended in > one state, you are suspended in 49 others. He can't. Some states do not participate in reciprocity, but it does not matter anyway. What has probably happend is that this scofflaw has gotten in several scrapes with the law, and just blown off paying the fines. Then he has moved and tried to get a DL in his residence state, and been denied. So he continues to drive with his old DL, which is void because he does not live there. Or he has just applied for a DL in a state that does not take congniance of out-of-state convictions and suspensions (SC is one such state). Which is void as well, because SC can only issue DLs to SCians. Subject to a very few exceptions (military, students, etc) the only jurisdiction that can issue a you a valid DL is the jurisdiction of residence. And, since insurance cannot cover an illegal act, in most states, when (I use when, not if) he gets into an accident insurance will deny coverage. Obviously, if people could just get a valid DL in whatever state they wanted, some state would charge $5 for one, with no violation record keeping and issue 99.9% of the DLs in the country, much like Delaware has done with corporation charters and South Dakota has done with credit card banks. SP Cook > I have researched this issue of the web, and you are not allowed to enter > Canada with a criminal record from the US unless you apply for a Visa, or > get permission from the Canadian government, or get a pardon from the US. Then the answer is straighforward - Either 1) Apply for a visa 2) Get permission from the Canadian government (probably the same as #1, really) or 3) Get a pardon Sounds like #1 is probably the easiest. Cheers, Geoff Glave Vancouver, Canada > "JJK" <JJK@fakemail.com> wrote > I have researched this issue of the web, and you are not allowed to enter [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > can still let you through, even with a criminal record, but some peopel > are denied. But you ARE a second class citizen. Stop acting like the victim, and get a visa. >I have researched this issue of the web, and you are not allowed to enter >Canada with a criminal record from the US unless you apply for a Visa, or >get permission from the Canadian government, or get a pardon from the US. >This costs money though ($200 or so), and I refuse to pay, and be treated >like a second-class citizen. You really should have thought of this when you were writing the bad checks and failing to appear in court. Sometimes the reasons to have a clean record are not obvious at first glance. Now you know why you should have kept a clean record. --------------- Alex This is no different than the requirements imposed by the U.S. on Canadians with a criminal record. It is, basically, tit for tat. Refusing to pay is rather silly, since you are, in effect, based on your record, a second class citizen even in the U.S., where there are a bunch of avenues closed off to you because of your record. As for your driver's license, that too would be a violation of Canadian law. Your license needs to be from your state of residence in the U.S. or it is not valid in Canada. As you say you are planing to drive to Montreal in a few YEARS, you have plenty of time to fix some of your problems, like failure to appear, or get a pardon, etc. If you are not willing to do that, why expect Canada to welcome you? It simply does NOT work that way... FWIW RsH ------------------------- >Hey, I have a criminal record from the mid-90's and also 2000, for a few >counts of bad checks and theft, and also some driving under suspension [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >still let you through, even with a criminal record, but some peopel are >denied. JJK Just enter from a boarder that does not check passport/ids I would not use a bad check at that hospital. You can usually get special permission from Canada to get in for medical reason. Especially if it is live saving. Go to a US or Canadian Embassy here in the U.S. Just a note to all you other poster. Just because someone wrote a bad check in the past does not mean that have not change their ways. Greg Ro > Just a note to all you other poster. > Just because someone wrote a bad check in the past does not mean that > have not change their ways. Yes, but "just because someone is still bellyaching about the consequences probably means that have not change their ways." But, Canada DOES welcome criminals, such as rapists,drug dealers, sex perverts and the like, if they come from israel, Haiti, Viet Nam, etc. It has even accepted criminals fleeing the US. >This is no different than the requirements imposed by the U.S. on >Canadians with a criminal record. It is, basically, tit for tat. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >>still let you through, even with a criminal record, but some peopel are >>denied. And the US has accepted criminals fleeing from Canada, too. That proves nothing. The US too has accepted criminals from Russia, Israel, various African nations, etc. as well as a whole bunch of people from Viet Nam who the current government considers criminals. They are now extraditing to Canada a person who fled from Canada after murdering two in Canada, and decapitating one with a chain saw. They let him into the U.S. because he was a U.S. citizen, even with blood on his clothing, simply because the RCMP had not yet had time to get a warrent for his arrest! So what does your comment prove? That both nations sometimes do things that others find reprehensible? -------------------------------------------------------------- >But, Canada DOES welcome criminals, such as rapists,drug dealers, sex >perverts and the like, if they come from israel, Haiti, Viet Nam, etc. [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] >>>still let you through, even with a criminal record, but some peopel are >>>denied. ======================================================= Copyright retained. My opinions - no one else's... If this is illegal where you are, do not read it! |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.