Criminal Record Checks Explained

Do Withdrawn or Dismissed Charges Show on CPIC or CRJMC Checks?

What employers and organizations will actually see on your background check

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Quick Answer:

NO — Withdrawn, dismissed, and stayed charges do NOT appear on CPIC or CRJMC criminal record checks. Only convictions and active outstanding charges are disclosed.

If you’ve had criminal charges withdrawn, dismissed, or stayed in the past, you’re probably wondering: “Will this show up on my background check?” This is one of the most common questions we hear. The good news is that charges that didn’t result in convictions generally don’t appear on criminal record checks provided to employers and organizations.

What Shows vs What Doesn’t

✓

DOES Show on CPIC/CRJMC

  • • Criminal convictions
  • • Outstanding charges (CRJMC)
  • • Active warrants (CRJMC)
  • • Discharges (during disclosure period)
✗

Does NOT Show

  • • Withdrawn charges
  • • Dismissed charges
  • • Stayed charges (after 1 year)
  • • Acquittals (not guilty verdicts)

Understanding Each Term

Withdrawn Charges

What it means: The Crown prosecutor decided to drop the charges before trial, usually due to insufficient evidence, witness issues, or other legal reasons.

✓ Does NOT show on CPIC or CRJMC checks

Dismissed Charges

What it means: A judge threw out the charges in court, often due to legal technicalities, Charter violations, or lack of evidence presented at trial.

✓ Does NOT show on CPIC or CRJMC checks

Stayed Charges

What it means: Court proceedings are suspended. The Crown can theoretically revive the charges within 1 year, but this rarely happens. After 1 year, the stay becomes permanent.

✓ Does NOT show after 1 year (rarely shows during 1-year window)

Acquittal (Not Guilty)

What it means: You went to trial and were found not guilty. The court determined the Crown did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

✓ Does NOT show on CPIC or CRJMC checks

⚠️ Important Distinction: Outstanding vs Resolved

CRJMC checks show “outstanding charges” — meaning charges that are currently pending in court. Once charges are withdrawn, dismissed, or stayed, they are no longer “outstanding” and will NOT appear on CRJMC checks.

Think of it this way: If your charges were resolved in your favor (withdrawn/dismissed/acquitted), they’re gone from your criminal record check.

But Can Police Still See Them?

Yes, law enforcement can still see withdrawn and dismissed charges in their local police databases and through internal CPIC queries. However, this information is:

  • ✓ NOT disclosed to employers, landlords, or volunteer organizations
  • ✓ NOT included in standard CPIC or CRJMC criminal record checks
  • ✓ Only visible to law enforcement for their own operational use

In other words: Police can see them, but employers and the public cannot.

What Should You Say on Job Applications?

If the application asks:

“Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense?”

Answer: NO — Withdrawn/dismissed charges are NOT convictions.

“Have you ever been charged with a criminal offense?”

This is trickier. Read carefully and consider seeking legal advice if the charges were withdrawn/dismissed.

“Do you have a criminal record?”

Answer: NO — Withdrawn/dismissed charges are not part of your criminal record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do withdrawn charges show up on a CPIC check?

No, withdrawn charges do NOT show up on standard CPIC criminal record checks. Withdrawn charges are not convictions and are not disclosed to employers, landlords, or other civilian requesters. However, they may remain visible to law enforcement in police databases.

Do dismissed charges appear on CRJMC checks?

No, dismissed charges do NOT appear on CRJMC checks. CRJMC checks show outstanding charges and convictions, but once charges are dismissed by the court, they are no longer considered outstanding and won’t be disclosed.

What’s the difference between withdrawn, dismissed, and stayed charges?

Withdrawn means the Crown prosecutor decided to drop the charges before trial. Dismissed means a judge threw out the charges in court. Stayed means proceedings are suspended (charges can theoretically be revived within 1 year but rarely are). All three mean no conviction, and none appear on CPIC or CRJMC checks.

Will employers see my withdrawn charges?

No, employers will NOT see withdrawn charges on standard CPIC or CRJMC background checks. Withdrawn charges are not disclosed to civilian requesters. Only active charges and convictions appear on criminal record checks provided to employers.

Can police still see withdrawn or dismissed charges?

Yes, police can still see withdrawn and dismissed charges in their local databases and through CPIC queries made by law enforcement. However, these charges are not disclosed on criminal record checks given to employers, landlords, volunteer organizations, or other civilian requesters.

Should I mention withdrawn charges on job applications?

If a job application asks ‘Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense?’, the answer is NO for withdrawn charges. Withdrawn charges are not convictions. However, if the application asks about charges or arrests, read the question carefully and consider seeking legal advice.

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