PAL after an acquittal ?

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calgaryagius

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Hey just have a newb question for anyone with experience in the same situation.
Four years ago I was charged with a violent crime which was a based on a bogus statement from a drunk person. I went to trial and the Judge kinda laughed and said there is no way I can convict someone based on this persons statement. That being said, I was scared ####less for months before the trial, thinking I was gonna be convicted of an serious offence I didn't commit.
Anyways, I was shooting skeet a couple years before and really enjoyed myself. I just moved to Calgary with my girlfriend and we dont know anyone. I thought it would be great if we could get our PAL and meet people at local gun clubs in the area.
My question is...... Will I encounter problems with my past charge even though I was acquitted of all charges ? My application has already been handed in and I'm waiting for a response.
Just a little FYI...... I crossed the border several time since and have been asked the question: have you ever been arrested by the border officers. I have always answered "NO" and they have never given me any problems. ??? Wondering if its the same type of background check that RCMP use ?
Thanks in advance !
 
calgaryagius said:
Just a little FYI...... I crossed the border several time since and have been asked the question: have you ever been arrested by the border officers. I have always answered "NO" and they have never given me any problems. ??? Wondering if its the same type of background check that RCMP use ?
Thanks in advance !
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Be careful, my neighbour was crossing the border and was asked this very question, he answered no BUT he had been arrested, however not convicted. He had a hell of a time getting back into the US after that one.

Mind you he was arrested IN the US, might be a different story.
 
You will likely have no problem getting a PAL. Be sure to be 100% honest on application AND questions. They may call you to re-verify the answers. Don't sweat it, i had something similar happen.
 
If it has been a aquital I would'nt worry about it. I know someone who had a questionable past, and he enclosed a seperate piece of paper describing his situation, and he had no problems. If there is any serious problems, then you will have a interview with a police officer, to see if they can issue you your PAL. I have heard of the Letter working, but I have also heard of a person being refused a license after a interview, but he should'nt of had a PAL anyways, so I guess the approval process works.
 
Acquittal

heck, I know a guy that was charged, convicted and did time for a drug and violent offense that occurred over 25 years ago. He wasn't pardoned for it. When he applied for his PAL, I gave him a reference, because he hasn't been involved in anything criminal since, so I had no qualms about it. What I did find strange, though, is that they never followed up with him, or with any of the references, even though he clearly stated his conviction on the app. I feel that if the PAL is to have any value, they should at least have done a thorough check. How many people have the PAL and have not mended their ways? Anyhow, this is one of the reasons I don;t believe in the PAL/FAC process.
 
calgaryagius said:
Hey just have a newb question for anyone with experience in the same situation.
Four years ago I was charged with a violent crime which was a based on a bogus statement from a drunk person. I went to trial and the Judge kinda laughed and said there is no way I can convict someone based on this persons statement. That being said, I was scared s**tless for months before the trial, thinking I was gonna be convicted of an serious offence I didn't commit.
Anyways, I was shooting skeet a couple years before and really enjoyed myself. I just moved to Calgary with my girlfriend and we dont know anyone. I thought it would be great if we could get our PAL and meet people at local gun clubs in the area.
My question is...... Will I encounter problems with my past charge even though I was acquitted of all charges ? My application has already been handed in and I'm waiting for a response.
Just a little FYI...... I crossed the border several time since and have been asked the question: have you ever been arrested by the border officers. I have always answered "NO" and they have never given me any problems. ??? Wondering if its the same type of background check that RCMP use ?
Thanks in advance !
Click to expand...

I think it is likely that there is already an F.I.P. file with your name on it. If there is, this incident is not behind you yet.

When the (PAL application) file comes to your Firearms Officer, he/she will see the flag and will then request the police report - to learn the particulars of the case - to make a determination of your fitness. It doesn't mean you'll be disqualified, but it does mean than the Firearms Officer will probably know all about it.

This is not something that you can expect to remain hidden.

Just because you weren't convicted doesn't guarantee you anything.
 
Kinda bull#### if it does stay on record, that's rediculas ! I shouldn't be judged for something I haven't done. But..... thats the Fed !

My safety course trainer is a retired RCMP officer, I explained the situation to him and he agreed that haveing been acquitted of all charges, I should put "no" on the app.

Any other experiences ?
 
Many moons ago, I had a small run in with a lad who was driving like an idiot as I was loading my kids into the truck outside of their daycare. Words were exchanged, the young man left, and I carried on with my day. Later in the evening, an RCMP officer called me regarding the incident(apparently the lad had called the cops and complained)- three minutes later, after telling my side of the story, the call ended, and as far as I was concerned, everything was over and done with.

Four years later I applied for my PAL. About 6 weeks after I put my app in the mail, I got a call from the AB CFO requesting a phone interview. Believe it or not, I was flagged because of the incident in front of the daycare. The gentleman who did the interview laughed off the incident after I told him the story and even admitted he would have done the same thing if he had been in my place. My PAL showed up in the mail four days later.

Long story short? If I was you, I would prepare myself for a call from the CFO. If it happens, stay calm, tell the truth, and WHATEVER YOU DO, avoid getting defensive or rude. Play the game and you have nothing to worry about.

Let us know how everything works out, brother.

Paul
 
Same thing happened to a buddy of mine. Nothing to worry about unless their asking you if you've been "charged". U.S. Customs asked my buddy that and he initially said no - but further pressing brought out the truth........I remember they really ripped him a new one because of that, but the let him into the U.S. - LOL!
 
The questions all concern what has happened in the last 5 years.

Have you been CONVICTED of such an offence IN THE LAST 5 YEARS?

Your correct reply is "No".

But I always remember the RCMP chap who told me, "Listen, Assh*le, once we get your name on our blotter, we NEVER let go. Go ahead, apply for a pardon. We'll seal the file and send it to Ottawa, but we'll make a copy first!"

So be prepared for a question. It might not even come.

Answer honestly and politely and you will get your card.
 
Rutger said:
The Question is "Have you been CONVICTED of a violent crime within the last 5 years". Sounds like a no to me.
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Uh, the question is actually: "Have been CHARGED, convicted or granted a discharge..." So the answer is yes. Of course you are free to attach an explanation stating that you were acquitted.
 
Your history with the police will always be on file but it doesnt have to mean anything. Every ticket you get for driving is on record as well, but doesnt mean anything.
 
As long as you have no other incidents you can expect your application to be delayed but it should be approved. A friend of mine had a similar incident and was acquitted and had no problems getting his license. Sometimes there is a witch hunt and someone accuses you of being a witch.

If you were fingerprinted will have a lot to do with whether or not a being charged exists on the national police database. Clearly, there will be court records. I would suggest that you pay the money and have your lawyer get everything removed. It will take some time but save you hassle in the future.
 
One of the questions is "have you been accused of a violent crime in the last 5 years" (not the exact wording but i dont feel like looking it up). I answered yes to this due to a nasty divorce that involved police and accusations of abuse that occured within two years of my application (false by the way) and it caused me no problems.
 
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