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    gcmant's Avatar
    gcmant Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    May 6, 2011, 10:15 PM
    Theft Under 500 - first Offense
    The other day my brother stole a phone off some guy he met up with from Kijiji, the guy he met up with obviouslt phoned the police, and was later charged with theft under 500$ in Ontario.
    He is getting a lawyer so I'm sure he will get great help there but my Q is..
    Will he have a permanent record? What can he do for it to not be on his permanent record (he's 23), I've been reading about being expunged and I think something about the conviction being dismissed and doing like community service and what not, or is that just for youth/ for expunged how does that go about happening? Also, what about Pardons of Canada, could that be an option as well?

    He's never had a record and why he did that is beyond me, but everyone makes mistakes, any help would be appreciated...

    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #2

    May 7, 2011, 05:15 AM

    Was force involved in the theft?

    Here's something I wrote about diversion:

    “Ontario diversion program guidelines vary from region to region, courthouse to Courthouse. Eligibility for such a program is ALWAYS determined by the Crown Attorney’s office. There are no exceptions. You are not required to have legal counsel in order to apply.

    If the offense - theft - is not major (property was recovered, not a large amount, not a repeat offender) the Crown Attorney MAY approve eligibility into the diversion program prior to the Court appearance. If there are prior dealings with the Police - and charges do not have to be placed, any prior dealings of a negative nature - the person will most likely not be eligible for the diversion program.

    As part of the diversion program the eligible person will have to agree to complete certain tasks or obligations - perhaps watch a video, make a donation or volunteer time to a not-for-profit, write a paper on the crime.

    When the tasks/obligations have been competed to the satisfaction of the Crown’s Attorney he/she will recommend to the Judge that the criminal charge (usually, theft) be withdrawn.

    Each courthouse in Ontario has a different diversion program and eligibility requirements differ from region to region. Eligibility for the diversion program is always determined by the Crown Attorney's office. If they deem a theft offence to be of a minor nature (usually a small quantity of merchandise was taken and the property was recovered), the Crown may pre-approve eligibility into the diversion program. A person will not generally be eligible for diversion if they have had prior dealings with the police (even if it did not result in a criminal charge being laid). Once in the diversion program, the eligible candidate may be asked to complete one of a number of different tasks. In some jurisdictions, a person charged with theft may be required to watch a video on shoplifting. In other jurisdictions they may be required to make a donation to charity or complete a minimum number of community service hours - or both. Regardless of the requirements, the end result is usually the same. Once the diversion program has been completed to the satisfaction of the Crown Attorney, the Crown will recommend to the court that the criminal charge of theft be withdrawn against the accused person. This will result in the accused person maintaining a clean record (assuming they didn't have a prior criminal record).

    If a person is not pre-screened as eligible for the diversion program, a lawyer may be able to convince a Crown Attorney to reconsider their decision.”

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