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Posts: 7
| My friends and I will be going to LOTW at the end of august and one in our group has a DUI within the last couple years. We planed our trip recently and he does not have the time to do the neccesary paper work(they need like 6 months) Any suggestions on how to avoid a big problem. What are the chances of getting checked or is there any other way to get around the whole DUI thing. I heard you could maybe pay 200 at the border and they will let you through. How often do they check. We are all about 25 - 30.(Not the best age for crossing I will assume.) Any thoughts or help would be great. Thanks guys. |
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Posts: 2
Location: Erie, Pa | I really dont think you have to worry about them checking. When my dad and I go up to canada all they ever ask is what we are doing in canada and where we are going in canada..We have never really had a big problem crossing the boarder...casey |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | I agree. They like American money flowing into Canada. The last customs guy we met at the boarder found out we were going Muskie fishing and got excited for us. I think he wished he could go.
Maybe have him carry a rabbits foot just in case. Ha wouldn't that be great if they asked what the rabbits foot was for? |
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| This will be our 3rd year going to the Northwest angle. Year one we were told to pull over(we had one with a dui 9 years 10 months old, I don't know if that is why we were searched) and everything was taken out of the van and inspected, they went thru every pocket of every T-shirt in every suitcase, nothing was left unchecked. Year two went thru with only 2 minutes worth of questions. If you have a DUI 5 years or earlier you most likely will not be allowed to enter. Every time we have been thru everyone is asked to produce a drivers license not just the driver. If your dui is 5 to 10 years old it is the descretion of the agent checking you. I think it would be very risky to hope they would let you thru, call and explore your options. |
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Posts: 925
| I have been asked at the border if anyone in the car has a DUI. Nobody did, so I don't know what they would do if you answered yes.
A hunting buddy of mine goes to Manitoba 2 times a year goose hunting. He told me that at least 3 guys in their group of 12 has DUIs. Whoever did the checking with the Canadian Gov was told this ... be honest in answering the question if you are asked. They were also told it is up to the discretion of the border agent.
I know my brother went to Whisler skiing this year with a guy who has 2 DUIs. They crossed in Vancouver and were never asked the DUI question.
Here is something I have always wondered ... what do they do if you fly into Canada from the US? For instance flying to Toronto for a business meeting? They ask you once you are there if you have DUI. If you do, what they won't let you leave the airport?
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | I fly to Montreal on business about 1-2x a year and Customs does check DL's, Birth Certificates and Passports regularly. I get asked about OWI's at least once a year passing through. If customs decide they dont want you, you're gone. They wont allow you to pass into the country.
It's probally harder getting through customs at the airport than crossing the boarder by vehicle. |
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| For our fishing trip we get the RABC permit, they are good for two years (we stay on Oak Island and primarily fish Canadian waters). We give the agent this permit along with our drivers license. The backround check is done and the RABC is issued in advance or at most ports of entry, the reason they ask for the DL is they can run a check on any violations which may have occured subsequent to the issuance of the permit. |
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| I don't want to come off as a pessimist (even though a pessimist is an experienced optimist) but if I was to get a DUI and went on the assumption that I would not get checked and would be allowed to cross, and then was denied entry. First of all my brother would probably kill me and I would be left on the side of the road for eagle chow. There is so much planning (as you know) that goes into these once a year (for us) trips. I would not even consider ruining the trip not only for me but for everyone else concerned. |
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Posts: 476
Location: WI | 3 trips to Canada in the last year and a half and I have never been asked about DUI's, (Crossing at Fort Francis). We were checked once when we got to the border at 3:30am, but it was a quick check. The only time they asked for our licenses was that one time we got checked. Put him in the backseat and hopefully you'll be okay.
GotOne |
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Posts: 40
Location: Maryland | I do not know where you are entering but at International Falls they seldom ask anything and have never looked at my Drivers license. Of course we do not carry alcohol over the border and can honestly answer all their questions re plants, guns, etc. no.
Tim is right however, it would be a major downer if you were riding with someone and told you could not enter. check out the discussion of Andy Meyers Lodge web site. It seems that some guys will let people in if the infraction is close to 5 years away and you can produce a receipt or reservation slip showing you are going to be spending bucks in Canada. |
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| Definitly dont take the guy with the DWI's vehicle,,,better if hes a pasenger has they sometimes run your plates has you pull up,,,Its always been said that their not has strict if you cross at Baudette |
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| If you're driving two vehicles, put the booze in the one not w/o the lush. Better you pay canadian prices. |
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Posts: 5874
| Last, and only, time we were checked was in fall of 2001, about 2 weeks after 9/11. We had 9 guys in 4 vehicles, and they stopped every other truck. We were asked if we had been convicted of any crimes, including DUI. Of the 5 questioned, 3 had prior DUI's. Mine was real old, like 26 years, and was not on file. The other 2 were within 5 years. They were allowed to pay a $200CAN Immigration Violation fine, and enter.
My advice is to go, and if you are asked, don't lie. You'll most likely be allowed to pay the fine and enter. Be polite, answer only what you are asked.
Edited by Shep 6/29/2004 8:46 PM
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | I would go too....like mentioned above...don't bring any alcohol in the vehicle with the DUI.....no potatoes either....if bringing a dog, make sure to have vacination papers handy.....don't give them any extra excuss....also you might want to try crossing at a busier time like 6am-noon on Saturday |
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Posts: 925
| I don't think I have ever been asked at Baudette.
However, I know going through Fort Francis about 6 years ago we were asked. I was driving and they asked if anyone had DUIs. I said no and looked to the guy in the passenger seat. He ansewed no.
The border guard snipped at me and asked me why I looked at the passenger. I told him because I didn't know if the guy had a DUI and was just looking at him while he answered.
Well, needless to say, the took that guy's ID and did a background check. Everything checked out fine, and we were on our way.
Best advice is to look the border guard in the eye and answer. Don't look elsewhere or else they think you might be hiding something.
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Posts: 7
| Thanks for all the info. You have been a great help. I am crossing my fingers. |
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| Well I can say that if you have a DUI and are planning on going to Canada I would either get the paperwork done or not go if it within 10 years. Being one of these people who have had a DUI it has been a hassle. Never had the problem up until after 911. I have been to Canada 8 times in the last two years. 4 time crossing North Portal in North Dakota and 4 times in Fort Frances. Background checks have done 7 of the 8 times. Well I was fortunate that my DUI was over 10 years ago so I got to go in. Of course that was after talking to a immigration officer at one of the other offices. Well unfortunately I was a moron and got another one. So my trips to Canada are off for at least 5 years. My understanding is that anyone who has had one within 5 years is inadmissible to Canada and can't even apply for the paperwork. If someone knows differant please chime in. I am going to go crazy waiting to go back.
Bear |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | A freind of mine went with a group of guys a few weeks ago thru Intl Falls one of the guys had a 4 year old DUI and was denied entry so they all turned around and headed west where they went through the next crossing and had no problems at all just the few standard questions Destination, How long, for what reason and were allowed to enter
Edited by JohnMD 6/30/2004 8:30 PM
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Posts: 3
| I always cross at Pigeon Falls on the way to Lake Nipigon and have never been asked,I have been going 2 times a year for years.I fish Saganaga and need a RABC permit for that and there they ask and also do a background check before giving you your permit.Another thought about the remote area border permits,they are good for two years and expire on your b-day,aways apply for a new permit before it expires and well in advance.If you plan on getting one while on the way be ready for big delays and a possible extra trip to customs,this happened to me the last time because I didn't renew in time.it cost me a day of fishing. |
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| When they do a background check do they check the DOT or your criminal record? I got a deferred judgement so there is no criminal record but it would show on my driving record. Do they take your drivers license and go run a check? |
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| When they do a background check do they check the DOT or your criminal record? I got a deferred judgement so there is no criminal record but it would show on my driving record. Do they take your drivers license and go run a check? |
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Posts: 5874
| We got checked at Baudette in 2001. Last year at the Sab Bay outing, everyone made it through without issue. If you are checked, and they run a record check, they check criminal record. Not sure if they check driving record. Even if the DUI is within 5 years, you may still get in. The DUI on your record is an Immigration Violation. You may be given the option of paying a $200.00CAN fine. If you are upfront, and don't give them any backtalk, it is likely they will allow entry. That is if they ask. I know after 2001-2002, the resort owners were up in arms, and complained loud and long. Seems this may have helped ease up on the number of people they check.
Edited by Shep 7/2/2004 11:30 AM
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