When you are arrested the police put a "case awaiting trial" indicator on your criminal record. This means you have been charged with a crime that is awaiting an outcome. In most cases this indicator will make it appear as though you have a criminal record (it will appear as "illicit activity identified"). Once the case has been completed (an outcome reached: charges dropped, conviction or you successfully defended the matter) the police remove this indicator or update it with a conviction. In many cases the police fail to remove or update the "case awaiting trial" indicator once the case has reached an outcome: If this indicator is never updated it will result in a permanent criminal record.