"Understanding Canada's Inadmissibility Laws": "The inadmissibility laws apply whether it's it's not if you have a conviction in your home country per se, it's whether the conviction you have would be a conviction under a federal law in Canada." - Maggie Stewart

This time, we're talking about cross-border legal issues with a special guest, Maggie Stewart from Mundial Law in California. If you travel, or plan to travel, to our neighbors to the north (Canada) this episode has something for you.

What We Covered:

00:00:33 Meet Maggie Stewart: Maggie is an attorney specializing in immigration law and helps individuals—both stars and everyday people—navigate the complexities of traveling between countries like the U.S. and Canada. Her unique approach stems from her firm's name, "Mundial," meaning "world" in Spanish.

00:03:03 Canada's Border Regulations: We discuss Canada’s stringent laws around criminal inadmissibility and how they impact your travel plans—be it a vacation with family or a business trip. Maggie explains the role of FBI reports in border crossings and how Canada’s access to this data can surprise many travelers.

00:07:01 Real-Life Scenarios: Maggie shares gripping stories about her clients, from rock stars to regular folks, who have faced unexpected challenges at the Canadian border. It’s a reminder of the long-lasting impact of past legal issues.

00:18:13 Navigating Legal Complexities: Learn about rehabilitation and waivers for traveling to Canada, and why getting your FBI report before any international trip could save you a headache. Maggie provides expert tips on this essential step.

00:04:56 Broader Implications: We also touch on other countries with similar travel laws, including New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, emphasizing that self-awareness of one's legal history is crucial.

00:23:11 U.S.-Canada Relations: We take a brief detour into current events, discussing the political climate between the U.S. and Canada and what it might mean for future travel and business exchanges.

Proactive Measures: If you've ever been fingerprinted or had legal charges, it's beneficial to obtain your FBI report and carry documentation when traveling. This can prevent unexpected issues at the border and make travel smoother.

Maggie offers free fifteen-minute consultations when you provide your FBI report.

More Key Moments

00:00 Canada's Strict Border Inadmissibility Rules

03:27 "DUI Conviction Affects Canada Entry"

08:17 Traffic Violations' Impact on Immigration

09:47 Canada Entry with Old Minor Convictions

13:56 Wildlife Antler Collection Offense

17:07 Obscure Law's Impact on Hunting

20:55 "Expunging Records in Ohio"

25:50 Canadian Visa Laws: A One-Size Issue

27:47 Assisting Canadians with U.S. Immigration

31:10 Law and Arts Advocate Journey

34:41 New Website Launch Announcement

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law