Felony charge for carrying a prescribed medication not in its prescription bottle, how hard will it

[specifics212]

Hi all, so when I was in my mid 20's, 8 years ago, I was at a pool complex where my friend used to live having some drinks and the cops showed up and searched us. I got arrested and charged with a felony for carrying an alprazolam lose in my pocket that was prescribed to me by my doctor but it wasn't in the prescription bottle (yes I know how ridiculous). FYI alprazolam Is a controlled substance, hence the felony charge. Once I showed a letter from my doctor showing that he prescribed me the medication the charges were dropped. However, the arrest record is there.

This felony charge is making my life in the U.S difficult, in terms of finding a good job and even renting an apartment.

How hard will it be for me to become a permanent resident of Canada? And do Canadian employers see your U.S criminal record from back home? If so I might be stuck in the same predicament there as I am here.

Btw, I know Canada works on a merit based system, so FYI, I have a bachelor's degree from a pretty good U.S University and work experience (although last 6 years I was working overseas in an unrelated field as an ESL teacher after my arrest).

Thanks for any info.

 

[scylla]

Hi all, so when I was in my mid 20's, 8 years ago, I was at a pool complex where my friend used to live having some drinks and the cops showed up and searched us. I got arrested and charged with a felony for carrying an alprazolam lose in my pocket that was prescribed to me by my doctor but it wasn't in the prescription bottle (yes I know how ridiculous). FYI alprazolam Is a controlled substance, hence the felony charge. Once I showed a letter from my doctor showing that he prescribed me the medication the charges were dropped. However, the arrest record is there.

This felony charge is making my life in the U.S difficult, in terms of finding a good job and even renting an apartment.

How hard will it be for me to become a permanent resident of Canada? And do Canadian employers see your U.S criminal record from back home? If so I might be stuck in the same predicament there as I am here.

Btw, I know Canada works on a merit based system, so FYI, I have a bachelor's degree from a pretty good U.S University and work experience (although last 6 years I was working overseas in an unrelated field as an ESL teacher after my arrest).

Thanks for any info.

If the charges were fully dropped, then you should be OK to apply to immigrate to Canada.

Based on the information you've provided, it's difficult to say if you'll have enough points to be selected (just a bachelor degree is often not enough). You'll want to calculated how many points you have under the Express Entry program. Right now you need around 460 points to be selected.