If you’ve ever been charged with a crime and found guilty and sentenced, you will have a criminal record. Even paying an admittance of guilt fine will result in a record. Crimes can range from serious such as robbery to minor such as defamation of character. But every record carries a heavy cost for years to come.

We spoke to Ryan*, who was arrested for possession of methamphetamines in 2010. He appeared in court and paid a fine upon his conviction, which landed him with a criminal record that will last until 2020.

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