Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    fredflinstone's Avatar
    fredflinstone Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 3, 2008, 12:30 AM
    BC Statute of Limitaions for criminal charge
    I was arrested for shoplifting in Nov 2002 in British Columbia, although I was never officially arrested. I signed a promise to appear to the local RCMP station for processing at which point I fled the country. I was never printed, photographed nor had my rights read to me. As far as I know I was never arrested, just caught, and told to report to the RCMP to be officially charged.

    I have been working and living abroad ever since. I have had my passport renewed and replaced twice in Canadian embassies in the time I have been away from Canada with no problems or mention of a problem.

    What is the statute of limitations for this and is it safe for me to return to Canada? Is there a difference I fly into Toronto or is it safe for me to fly into Vancouver?
    excon's Avatar
    excon Posts: 21,482, Reputation: 2992
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Jul 3, 2008, 06:20 AM
    Hello fred:

    Shoplifting?? And you FLED the country?? Dude! That's like swatting a fly with a stick of dynamite.

    excon
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jul 3, 2008, 07:17 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by fredflinstone
    I was arrested for shoplifting in Nov 2002 in British Columbia, although I was never officially arrested. I signed a promise to appear to the local RCMP station for processing at which point I fled the country. I was never printed, photographed nor had my rights read to me. As far as I know I was never arrested, just caught, and told to report to the RCMP to be officially charged.

    I have been working and living abroad ever since. I have had my passport renewed and replaced twice in Canadian embassies in the time I have been away from Canada with no problems or mention of a problem.

    What is the statute of limitations for this and is it safe for me to return to Canada? Is there a difference I fly into Toronto or is it safe for me to fly into Vancouver?

    If you are on the computer, if there's a warrant, it doesn't matter where you "fly in" - you will be arrested. You signed the "promise" to appear in lieu of being taken to jail - sort of like getting a ticket (which is a "promise" to apear) instead of being arrested. You could very well be on the computer.

    (You fled the country because of a shoplifting charge - ?)
    fredflinstone's Avatar
    fredflinstone Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Jul 3, 2008, 08:01 AM
    Well, back then I was homeless. Now I have a job for 120K a year taxfree and a wife and two kids, so in retrospect, I made a good decision.
    fredflinstone's Avatar
    fredflinstone Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Jul 3, 2008, 08:04 AM
    What about the original question... Statute of Limitations... The crime was 6 years ago this Nov.?
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
    		  
    #6

    Jul 3, 2008, 08:43 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by fredflinstone
    Well, back then I was homeless. Now I have a job for 120K a year taxfree and a wife and two kids, so in retrospect, I made a good decision.

    Aside from not being able to go "home" because of the possibility of an open warrant, yes, it sounds like a good decision -

    To answer your other question warrants do not expire.

    I'm afraid you're going to have to spend some of this year's 120K tax free dollars on an Attorney rather than trying to get free advice when no one here (apparently) knows the background and can understand your decision to skip the country to avoid the charge.
    fredflinstone's Avatar
    fredflinstone Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Jul 3, 2008, 10:45 PM
    Thank-you Judy K T, that's about what I thought. My fear is landing in Canada and then being arrested in front of my family. Perhaps I can have my embassy help me sort it out if I ever decide to visit Canada. By the way I thought that getting some free advice was what this forum is all about. There are not a lot of Canadian attorneys where I am so I thought I would see if anyone here had and knowledge. If the background and the reason are important then the court case will go in my favor, if and when it ever happens.
    fredflinstone's Avatar
    fredflinstone Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #8

    Jul 3, 2008, 10:50 PM
    Warrants do not expire but can you be charged with a crime that occurred more than 6 years ago? I have never been charged? Is the fact I was never charged an advantage or disadvantage to my situation? I know I have to face the problem and I am not worried about any outcome, it's just a giant pain in the and obviously I could go without getting a record as well as I have never been charged with a crime before. The shoplifting was just desperation for food.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Criminal Damage to Property: Charge reduced? [ 2 Answers ]

I am in the process of a nasty divorce. On April 1 my built-up anger and rage exploded in me doing damage to my soon-to-be-exhusband's condo. I put a few dents in a wall with a shoe, made a dent in the vinyl flooring in his kitchen, wrecked a TV by pulling it from the wall, and pulled 3 screens off...

Criminal charge [ 4 Answers ]

I am charge with a crime for fraud of unemployment insurance. Since this is my first time would they give me a violation? My legal aid is saying that I only have 2 choices is to pay the whole amount back or spend 3 years in probation with a misdemeanor class a . What should I do?

Statute of Limitations on Criminal injuries in canada [ 3 Answers ]

Have some issues to bring to court, ei, physical abuse, reckless driving, endangerment resulting in personal injuries. These injuries are inferring with my working abilities and limiting my physical mobility. Was abused wife and little children and afraid to do anything at the time. Thanks for...

What is the statute of limitaions on rape in ontario canada [ 3 Answers ]

Just wondering what the time limit is for reporting rape. I never reported it when it happened because I was scared at the time. I was just wondering if it was to late to charge the person who violated me.

View more questions Search