Why do Americans feel the need to give underage drinkers a criminal record?

Posted October 15th, 2011 by immigratecanada and filed in Immigration to Canada

live in Canada, and among the aspect of the United States that I find very silly, there’s the 21-year-old drinking age and the ridiculous penalties for underage drinking. This is greatly undermining the opinion I have of the US.

In Canada, the drinking age is 19 in seven provinces and 18 in three. If someone is caught underage drinking, they are either handed a small fine or arrested and detained until the effect of alcohol is over, that’s all. Underage drinkers don’t lose their driver’s license and don’t get a criminal record that would haunt them for the rest of their life. Additionally, enforcement is much less strict, and police often don’t really care about underage drinking on private property.

I think that American policy of giving a criminal record to underage drinkers is unfair and exaggerated, as a criminal record permanently jeopardizes employment and emigration, and will get a person barred from entering Canada for 5 years. You want to visit Toronto, but four years ago you were caught drinking at the age of 20? Impossible, you’ll get arrested and deported at the border. The punishment doesn’t fit the “crime” at all.

In the state of New Mexico, it’s a FELONY to give alcohol to someone under 21, but only a MISDEMEANOR to drive drunk, even on the third offense. Any reasons for that?

Underage drinking and drunk driving are two entirely different things. I take drunk driving very seriously and I even think aggravated drunk driving (over .12) should be a felony.

Canada has a lower rate of car crashes and deaths and far less problems with alcohol use by young people.

What justifications do you Americans have for these criminal penalties for such a trivial “offense” as consuming alcohol under 21?
Just a little side note: unless you live in the state of Mississippi, people in the 18-20 age group are NOT “minors”. The age of majority is 18 (19 for Alabama and Nebraska). You have to say “person under 21”, “underage drinker” or “underager” as these people are NOT minors.
Sure Texas is one of the most lenient states relatively to under-21 drinking, I knew that alreay. However, Texas and Ohio are the only big states to allow parents to give alcohol to their children. In 20 states, including most of the large ones (California, New York, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, North Carolina) it’s a criminal offense for a parent to serve any amount of alcohol to their children. Another oddity is in South Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia, parents may serve alcohol to their children, but it’s still a criminal offense or the under-21 person to drink it.

My point is that any underage drinking related offense that does not involve driving should only be punished by civil penalties, not criminal ones.

Hi guys i want to immigrate to canada.i have a shop theft criminal record as visitor in singapore?

Posted May 6th, 2011 by immigratecanada and filed in Immigration to Canada

i was not charged and was released by given warning.
can canada check my back ground as i was visitor in singapore.
i am actually indian.

if i have any kind of criminal record, am i trapped in britain? can i never fullfill my ambition of emigration

Posted April 18th, 2011 by immigratecanada and filed in Immigration to Canada

to the u.s or canada?
this is my life long dream, im 29 have battled bpd and depression and psychological probs since 16, i have ultimate ambition to move to sunnier climates, once i overcome my problems..
but im scared my past will prevent me from doing so an ill be stuck here..
right now im waiting for a therapist..
i eventually wanna move far far away from britain, im worried i wont be able to, that ill never achieve finding a loving partner, and living in a home in canada
im afraid that wont happen, in which case im not long for this world

Can you immigrate to Canada with a bachelors in Criminal Justice?

Posted January 24th, 2011 by immigratecanada and filed in Immigration to Canada

I understand you need a work permit to work for a year before you can apply for permanent residency. Theoretically, is it possible to gain employment in Canada with a criminal justice degree from the U.S.?

hi guys i want to immigrate to canada.i have a shop theft criminal record in singapore?

Posted January 7th, 2011 by immigratecanada and filed in Immigration to Canada

can canada check my back ground as i was on visit in singapore.
i am actually indian.

Criminal Inadmissibility BELLISSIMO Law Group

Posted May 27th, 2010 by immigratecanada and filed in Uncategorized


Bellissimo Law Group is one of the largest full-service Canadian immigration law firms, exclusively committed to immigration to Canada, citizenship and refugee law. Bellissimo Law Group handles cases anywhere in Canada and we offer representation on ALL Canada immigration, citizenship and refugee matters. Our team of experienced Certified Specialists, Immigration Lawyers, Consultants and practitioners are ready to assist you with efficient, cost effective and practical solutions.

Criminal Rehabilitation application Canada/travel with DUI?

Posted May 8th, 2010 by immigratecanada and filed in Uncategorized

Has anyone with a DUI in the United States actually applied for this to resolve inadmissibility issues, and does it actually work?

Can A Person Immigrate To Canada With A Minor Criminal Conviction?

Posted February 23rd, 2010 by immigratecanada and filed in immigrate to canada

i am currently living with my south african boyfriend in south africa. he wants to immigrate to canada as soon as possible.i am canadian and we want to get married but we looked into it and the rules state that u cant have a criminal record if u want to immigrate under any circumstance. he just got busted for smoking a joint. it wasnt even anything serious. his country has a **** legal system and he didnt even get a trial. they wont excuse his record for 10 years in south africa. is there any hope?