One in three Americans has a criminal history, with most records resulting from arrests and minor infractions. While having a record of arrest may not have much effect on your life, a conviction for a crime can get in your way of finding a job or housing and negatively affect your reputation.

If you have a tainted record, consider looking at the possibility of having your record expunged.

What Is Expungement

Expungement can mean different things depending on your jurisdiction. In some states, it could mean having your criminal record destroyed so that no one, including the police, can access it, meaning you get a fresh start. In other jurisdictions, it can mean removing your criminal record from the public record while still being accessible by law enforcement and court employees or through a court order.

While some circumstances of expungement can result from having a conviction overturned, most cases are not based on innocence. As long as convicted offenders have made restitution for their crimes by serving time or paying fines for their crimes, the state grants convicted offenders this offer as an out of the situations created by their convictions.

Different states have different approaches to criminal record expungement. In most cases, the underlying crime can determine whether the record qualifies for expungement. Some serious offenses, such as rape and other violent crimes, do not qualify for expungement. While driving under the influence of alcohol might appear to be a minor offense, it cannot be wiped clean in most jurisdictions.

The Process

In most jurisdictions, expunging a criminal record starts with petitioning the court. In the petition, the applicant must indicate which record they need to be struck out of their record and provide evidence to prove that they qualify for the expungement. Evidence to prove qualification can include court records of the crime in question and documentation to prove that the claimant fulfilled the conditions set in their sentencing.

“This is a process that you do not want to handle on your own because making the wrong move can mean spending a few more years with a stained record,” says criminal lawyer Adam Rossen. In most jurisdictions having a petition denied by the court will require the applicant to wait a specific period before making another application. To avoid such an outcome, it is best to seek the help of a lawyer for guidance through the expungement process.

You Get a Clean Slate

If the court allows a petition, qualifying applicants will have their records expunged which comes with all the advantages of a person that never had a conviction. One of the most significant changes a criminal record expungement brings is access to more employment opportunities. Employers will often choose a person with a clean record over one with a criminal history if it comes to a choice between the two.

The same goes for acquiring housing and access to college admissions. Like employers, tenants and institutions of learning may have reservations about admitting a person with a tainted criminal record. There is no reason why a person’s social life should be adversely affected if someone can find their criminal records online. Thankfully having your record erased means the details of your arrest and conviction will not show up on background checks.

Accidents can be unprecedented events that result in property loss and bodily harm. Therefore, it is only fair that the at-fault party offer compensation for the physical pain, suffering, and economic losses incurred by the victims.

Understanding the different types of compensation you can receive from an accident is imperative. Filing a personal injury claim requires adequate knowledge of the intricate case details for success. In case you are unfamiliar with the different types of reimbursements you can get, below is a list explaining each.

 Compensation for Economic Expenses

This is offered to help repay the money lost or spent on the injuries.

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses account for most of the resources spent by accident victims. While seeking treatment, much is spent on ambulance rides, doctor appointments, prescribed medicine, surgery, assistive aids, physical therapy, travel expenses, and home care. Hence, it is expected that most people seek reimbursements for these expenses.

It is advisable to file for compensation after fully recovering or receiving a prognosis from your doctor on expected future medical expenses. By doing this, you are ensuring that the money offered will pay for not only present and past medical costs but also future costs.

Lost Wages

One of the most significant effects of an accident is how it impairs one from engaging in income-generating activities. Fortunately, you can receive money for past, and future wages lost as you continue to recover.  Additionally, you can receive compensation for commissions, bonuses, promotions, and vacation time that you would have received had you not been injured.

 Property Damage

With each accident, it is almost certain that some amount of property will be damaged. You are entitled to reimbursements to help repair or buy the damaged goods. This includes damage to your vehicle, devices, and any other property in your possession. 

Wrongful Death

This is a claim made by the remaining relatives of a person who died in accidents or acts of negligence. Living family members receive compensation for funeral, burial, and medical expenses. In addition, they may also receive compensation for lost wages, lost inheritance, and loss of companionship and consortium by a loved one.

Compensation for Punitive Damages

In some cases, the court or jury may punish the at-fault party if they discover that the accident was caused by negligence. This payment is known as punitive damages, but is rarely awarded in personal injury claims. 

Compensation for Pain and Suffering

Fortunately, the compensation offered is not limited to physical or tangible aspects. You can ask for compensation for the accident’s pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.

However, this could be particularly difficult as you may lack evidence to support your claims. You may need to hire a lawyer to help calculate the amount you should receive for the trauma.

You could also seek compensation for difficulty adapting to your new lifestyle if you sustained life-changing injuries. Finally, you can receive payment for losing your ability to spend and enjoy time with your family.

Final Thoughts

Accidents occur unexpectedly and, sometimes, could change your life forever. It may be challenging to cope with increasing medical bills, loss of employment, and trauma associated with the accident. Luckily, the law requires the persons at fault for your accident to offer compensation for your losses.

Unfortunately, personal injury lawsuits are often complicated and take a lot of time to be settled. “Hiring a personal injury lawyer may help with managing complicated legal proceedings as these lawyers are more knowledgeable in this subject matter,” says lawyer Jon Ostroff from Ostroff Injury Law. A qualified lawyer will represent you in court and help you calculate your damages.

Every type of business must obtain license and the relevant clearance certificate to conduct business in Canada. Thus, besides specifying the goods for shipment at the border, it is also essential that you learn the ways for a smooth customs clearance for importing of commercial goods in Canada. Moreover, there are terms associated with customs on some commodities and automobile businesses such as ITN number request for Canada that your broker will take you through.

Other than the law and terms of business in foreign land, there are a few basic guidelines that are most common for importing. Take a quick read at these too for your reference.

Guidelines for smooth importing of goods in Canada:

1. Get detailed information on the laws and rules of performing business in Canada. Hire a customs broker who will come as a major support for you even in general information on importing.
2. Customs clearance is one thing you need to look for. Thus, a customs broker has the right knowledge and process understand for a smooth clearance certificate by the customs office on goods.
3. Identifying goods and declaring goods at the port for shipment is the next step you must know. You will be asked information like the type of goods, nature of goods, and type of business, etc… by the customs officer.
4. Examination and audit may be conducted by the transportation authorities in case of any discrepancies or doubts. Thus, you must take all the necessary steps to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
5. Certain types of goods are prohibited for importing to Canada. Ask the customs broker to share the types of goods that are not allowed so that you can arrange your business activities accordingly.
6. You will be asked to present a list of documents and submit it timely to the customs authorities of Canada. If you are unsure of how to process these, seeking support from customs broker may help you. A customs broker has the authority to represent your company and perform the customs duties on your behalf.
7. In case of any doubts, confusion, or clarification seek support from a customs broker. From obtaining ITN number request for Canada in automobile importing to guiding you to perform business smoothly; they will guide you every way possible. Hiring a customs broker from a licensed firm will help you get the most qualified person.