It is easy to get a criminal record. Simply being accused of a crime will lead to police making a record (usually called incident or occurrence report) of the event, even if no charges are laid. And if police do decide to lay charges, which they will do if they have the slightest belief that the person is guilty, fingerprints and photographs are taken. These become a criminal record, even if the charge may not result in conviction, if the person is found innocent, or if the case is thrown out of court. The vast majority of people with criminal records are everyday folk. They have jobs. They are mothers and fathers. They pay taxes. They don't own guns, and do not hang out in gangs. In Canada, 4.5 million adults (one in five) have been charged with a crime. More than 500,000 people are charged every year. This means that you, or one of your family members, a friend, a neighbour, or someone else you care about has, or will acquire, a criminal record. Criminal records can adversely affect your ability to get a job, to rent accommodation, to secure a mortgage, to travel, to do volunteer work, to become a Canadian citizen, and much more. This book explains what criminal records are, how they impact peoples' lives, and how a criminal record can be removed.
