How can a criminal record affect your life?

What is a criminal record? A criminal record is a document that lists a person's criminal and penal convictions pronounced by the courts of Canada in accordance with federal laws such as the Criminal Code of Canada. However, violating a traffic rule of the Quebec Highway Safety Code is not a criminal offence and would not result in a criminal record. In fact, offences to provincial penal laws do not result in criminal records. How …

…of another crime, you will most likely be punished more severely than a person who does not have any previous convictions; A criminal record may prevent you from joining a professional order, from obtaining licenses or permits, or from getting certain insurance policies Can I get a pardon? The law stipulates that after a specified period of time, any person convicted of one or more offences to a federal law can apply for a pardon.