Criminal Record Question

[DanWEC]

I can't comment on how Canadian companies view a "DUI"' (though here in Canada you likely only got charged with an "over .80", which is different from an under the influence charge) but I can give some info on the US border crossing.

The US will NOT turn you away with your charge. It's even outlined on the US customs website here:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail ... nal-record

The only caveat is that you have to tell the border guards every single time you cross when they ask if you've ever been arrested, which can cause some embarrassment if you are with other people.
If you don't mention it, and they have it on screen, THEN they can give you some trouble and deny you entry. After that you have a denial of entry on your record, and it just gets worse from there.
If you don't want to deal with that, understandably, you have to wait until you get pardoned before you can cross, at all.
If you cross even once before your record gets cleared, and the guard punches in your passport #, as they do 90% of the time, your record will get transferred into the US database, and you will have to always admit to the over 80 even after you get the pardon in Canada, since it doesn't expunge the US database.

The solution is just to wait!

[cory_trevor]

I was in the exact same situation about ten years ago. I got charged with drinking and driving before starting my pilots license. I got my cpl and landed a float job. Had no problems other than needing a ride to work all summer long. Aviation insurance is not affected by your driving record so you won't have to worry about that. As far as crossing the border, I've probably crossed between 50 and 100 times since getting arrested and charged and I have never had a problem. Like in the previous post a lot of border guards will ask if you have ever been arrested. I've always told them right upfront and its never stopped me from crossing. I even crossed shortly after getting charged and I've never been turned back. Maybe once every 10 times they ask me to go inside and fill out a sheet of paper that takes about 5 minutes stating the offense and date of the charge. So you can cross the US border with no worries. Hope this helps.

[bizjets101]

NBAA has addressed this issue in this months NBAA Insider digital magazine.

http://nbaa.org/news/insider/ article is on page 8-9 which you can view as a guest.

In the United States a first time DUI conviction is a misdemeanor, (summary in Canadian terms), and in Canada a first time Impaired Driving charge is a indictable offence (felony in the USA).

Seems like the only charge were Canada is tougher than the Americans!!!

So as a Canadian with a Indictable conviction for Impaired - under USA rules it is viewed as a misdemeanor conviction - which allows you freely to enter the United States.

If you are an American with a misdemeanor conviction for DUI - you can be denied entry into Canada as you have under Canadian law - a indictable offense conviction. You can apply to enter for a one time event, like family, business etc., but now have to wait 10 years to be able to legally enter Canada.