Getting PR (permanent residency status) is an important step in getting employed in Ontario. You can finally remain in Canada without worrying about limitations in employment and your immigration status. But then you got a Stunt Driving charge with penalties of suspension, fines and possible jail. How will this affect my PR? Let’s investigate.
Stunt Driving does include the possibility of up to 6 months in jail
While this is a possibility with a Stunt Driving conviction in Ontario, it is actually referred to as a “quasi criminal” punishment. This means that although it resembles that of a criminal penalty, it does not affect your criminal record. This may be hard to digest – how can jail not be considered criminal? A quasi-criminal (proceeding) refers to treating an act in a traffic offence as if it were occurring in a criminal proceeding. So while it is treated similarly, the matters are not held in criminal proceedings – only in Provincial Offences court, which impacts your Driving record.
But jail is jail. Won’t my employer or immigration see this?
The short answer is, no. Employers and immigration services do background checks on that include criminal record checks. Because Stunt Driving is not a criminal offence, even a worst-case scenario with jail, will never affect a criminal record. It will only ever affect your driving abstract. Now, of course, if you are convicted of Stunt Driving, you may have an issue getting a job that involves driving, because your employer may possibly get a copy of your Driving record, and see that you have a Stunt conviction, and consider you unfit for the job. But again, this is a driving issue, not a criminal issue.
Aside from my PR, how about just avoiding jail altogether?
This is the best move. It really doesn’t matter that Stunt Driving does not affect your PR. Jail is still jail. Suspension is still suspension and fines are still fines. None of it is good. So get advice from a law firm that deals with Stunt Driving and get a strategy together to keep these penalties from affecting your ability to drive.
Will a Stunt Driving conviction affect my Permanent Residency (PR) status in Canada?
A Stunt Driving conviction in Ontario carries penalties such as suspension, fines, and possible jail time. However, Stunt Driving is considered a 'quasi-criminal' offence and does not affect your criminal record. Therefore, it should not have an impact on your Permanent Residency (PR) status in Canada. Background checks for employers and immigration services typically include criminal record checks, and since a Stunt Driving conviction is not a criminal offence, it should not show up on a criminal record check.
How can I avoid jail time when facing a Stunt Driving charge?
Jail time is a possible penalty for a Stunt Driving conviction in Ontario. However, the best way to avoid this penalty is to seek legal advice from a law firm that specializes in Stunt Driving charges. They can review your case and develop a strategy to help reduce or avoid the penalties associated with this violation. It's important to remember that even though Stunt Driving is not a criminal offence, it will still affect your driving record and can have serious consequences. So, it's important to work with an expert to get the best outcome possible.