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US Citizen Entering Canada w/ Potential Criminal Conviction

tommybluez

Newbie
Sep 6, 2011
1
0
Background...

I'm a US Citizen of NY State, I was convicted in 2005 for a minor class felony. I was sentenced to 5 years probation which I completed flawlessly and since the conviction have been a 'law-abiding' citizen.

I know that in Canada's eyes, I am considered inadmissible. I accepted that and put the thought of traveling to Canada out of my mind until at least 2015 when I would be eligible to apply for a pardon/rehabilitation.

However, recently I lost my job of 6 years because the company sold to a big corporation and got closed down.

Needless to say, I know a lot of companies run background checks so I wanted to see what would show up. I ran comprehensive checks with the two top-rated US background check services... Both showed up completely clean. One had records about family members dating back to the 60's -- about property and boats owned and seemed to be super comprehensive.
This leads me to wonder if there was a mistake somewhere in the records/etc. that it somehow is not showing up. I was originally arrested/convicted in one county of NY State (sort of a more rural, behind the times county) and then the probation was transferred to the county that I lived.

I wonder if between the back and forth something got lost in the shuffle. At any rate, the reason for my posting is this:

If I were going to try to cross the border at the Peace Bridge/Rainbow or Queenston-Lewiston Bridge... what would happen if while crossing my record DOES show up?

Obviously I know I will not be admitted to Canada, but will I be opening myself up to any legal ramifications or will they basically question me and tell me to go back to the states? I appreciate any and all help that you can offer on the situation.

Thanks!!