Connecticut Pardon and Expungement Attorney
Pardons
Criminal records, especially felony convictions, can have a seriously negative impact on your ability to obtain many jobs and may prevent you from other opportunities including international travel, even to Canada. The State of Connecticut makes it possible for individuals to be pardoned for their crimes and offenses against the state. An absolute pardon removes criminal records from public view so that your record cannot be used against you to prevent you from obtaining employment, being granted certain state issued licenses, or being allowed to cross international borders with a valid passport. A provisional pardon does not remove criminal records from public view but still is helpful in removing barriers to employment and state issued licenses.
The Board of Pardons has exclusive jurisdiction to grant or deny absolute and provisional pardons in its sole discretion. If your pardon application is denied, there is no appeal to a court or higher authority; although, you may re-apply for a pardon at another time in the future. If you are granted an absolute pardon, your criminal record will be removed from public view so that your past can stop interfering with your future. The Law Office of Jerome Paun would be proud to help you protect your future by filing your pardon application and representing you in the pardon hearing process.
How do I apply for a pardon?
The Board of Pardons grants pardons based on a two-step application process. The first step is to complete and file your written application with supporting documentation at the Board of Pardons. The second step is to present your case at a hearing before the Board of Pardons.
After it has been filed, the written application and supporting documents are screened to determine if you will be granted a hearing before the Board of Pardons or denied a pardon without a hearing. If your written application with supporting documents is not submitted exactly the right way, the Board of Pardons may deny your application at the first step without giving you a hearing. If you are granted a hearing, you must appear before the Board of Pardons on the assigned date to present your case and convince the Board of Pardons to grant your pardon application. Hearings are held quarterly each year. Your written application with all supporting documentation will need to be completely filed about three months before your hearing date.
The Law Office of Jerome Paun can help you properly file your pardon application to maximize your chance of getting a hearing. We will then prepare you to present your best case to the Board of Pardons at the hearing. We will be there with you at each step to help persuade the Board of Pardons to grant you a pardon.
Do I need a pardon attorney?
While not required, we recommend you have an experienced pardon attorney like Jerome Paun to ensure your pardon application meets all requirements and your supporting documents are presented in an effective manner. Our experienced staff will guide you through the process of completing your pardon application and properly filing it in a timely fashion. If you are granted a hearing, pardon attorney Jerome Paun will be your advocate at the hearing. The Board of Pardons will also want to hear from you. We will prepare you to tell your story and answer questions that the Board of Pardons may ask you at the hearing.
There is no appeal to a court or higher authority if the Board of Pardons denies your pardon application so you should want to maximize your chance of convincing the Board of Pardons to grant you a pardon. Experienced representation by the Law Office of Jerome Paun can help maximize your chances of being granted a pardon.
What are the chances of being granted a pardon?
According to the Board of Pardons statistics, since 2004, 37% of applications have been denied after the pre-screening without a hearing. An additional 7% were denied after the full hearing. Only 56% of applications were granted. There is no appeal to a court or higher authority if the Board of Pardons denies your pardon application. So contact the Law Office of Jerome Paun to maximize your chances of getting a pardon. Call today for a free and thorough evaluation.
What crimes and offenses can be pardoned?
The Board of Pardons has authority to pardon any crimes and offenses committed against the state. This includes: felonies, misdemeanors, and violations for which a term of imprisonment may be imposed.
When may I apply for a pardon?
This depends on a number of factors. You must first decide whether you want an absolute pardon or a provisional pardon.
If you want an absolute pardon and you were convicted of a felony, you must wait until five years after the date you were convicted and sentenced before you may file your pardon application. If you want an absolute pardon and you were convicted of a misdemeanor or a violation for which a term of imprisonment may be imposed, you must wait until three years after the date you were convicted and sentenced before you may file your pardon application.
If you want a provisional pardon, you do not have to wait. You may file your application for a provisional pardon immediately after your conviction and sentencing.
What is the difference between absolute and provisional pardons?
If you are granted an absolute pardon, the Board of Pardons gives you an unconditional pardon certificate and, more importantly, your criminal arrest and conviction records are erased from public view. You are free to say you have never been arrested or convicted of a crime or offense in Connecticut and you are entitled to not disclose your pardoned criminal arrest and conviction record to employers or anyone else. You will be able to deny having had a Connecticut criminal record for purposes of international travel with a valid passport. A provisional pardon is much more limited and does not provide these same advantages.
If you are granted a provisional pardon, the Board of Pardons gives you a provisional pardon certificate. A provisional pardon is intended to remove barriers that might otherwise make you ineligible for or disqualify you from employment or a license, permit or certificate required to be issued by the state for you to pursue, practice, or engage in an occupation, trade, vocation, profession or business without due consideration of whether your criminal conviction bears a direct relationship to such employment or license. A provisional pardon does not erase your criminal record from public view and you will not be relieved of having to disclose your criminal conviction record if you are required to disclose it.
How long does the pardon process take?
It takes anywhere from several weeks to several months to collect all of the required documentation and complete your written application for filing with the Board of Pardons. Pardon applications with supporting documentation must be completed and properly filed about three months before the hearing at which your application will be heard. Several weeks before the hearing, you will receive notice from the Board of Pardons informing you that you were granted a hearing. Denial of hearing letters are generally received sooner.
After the hearing you again will receive notice from the Board of Pardons telling you your pardon application was granted or denied. It takes an additional eight to nine months to erase all of your criminal records from public view and you will not receive your official pardon certificate until that has been accomplished. Once you have received your pardon certificate but not before, you may truthfully say that you have never been convicted of a crime in Connecticut.
What is erasure of criminal records, a/k/a expungement?
Technically, there is no such thing as "expungement" of criminal records in the State of Connecticut. There is, however, a process called "erasure of criminal records". An erasure of criminal records results in all records of a crime being physically destroyed. If you are granted an erasure, you may lawfully swear under oath that you have never been arrested and/or convicted of your erased crime in Connecticut. If you have been granted an absolute pardon, erasure of your criminal record is generally unnecessary because an absolute pardon results in the erasure of your criminal records from public view.
Who can get an erasure of criminal records?
Erasure of criminal records is available to people who:
* were found not guilty or had their charges dismissed
* received a pardon for their crimes
* disposed of their cases with a nolle prosequi
* were convicted on charges that are now decriminalized
How do I get an erasure of my criminal records?
A formal motion for erasure of criminal records must be filed in the appropriate court. The Law Office of Jerome Paun would be pleased to prepare, file and represent you on your motion for erasure of your criminal records. Call us today!
Contact Criminal Defense Attorney Jerome Paun Today
If you have questions regarding your eligibility for a pardon or erasure of criminal records, please contact the Law Office of Jerome Paun today. We can evaluate your case and explain to you what could be done to get a pardon or erasure your criminal arrests and/or convictions from your record.
We are pleased to offer free consultations for all criminal matters. Consultations are by appointment only but we offer flexible appointment times to accommodate your already busy schedule. Please let us help you protect your future by beginning to resolve your legal trouble today.
For a consultation with The Law Office of Jerome Paun call us toll-free at 866.787.0119 or send us an e-mail.
