Helping people in CT find relief by obtaining a pardon

The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Koffsky & Felsen, LLC understand the many ways a criminal conviction can affect your life. Many different people including potential employers, educational institutions, and landlords, will conduct background checks. Discovering you have a criminal record can greatly influence their decision to hire you, accept you into a program, or approve a housing application.

You should know that you may not have to live while indefinitely suffering the effects from a past mistake. At Koffsky & Felsen, LLC, we have successfully helped many people receive a pardon from the state of Connecticut, which effectively erases their criminal record.

While many clients have benefitted greatly from obtaining a pardon, the process is not always an easy one. You must follow specific procedures and present a lot of information for review to the Board of Pardons and Parole . Any error or omission can result in the denial of your pardon and a significant delay before you can apply again.

The good news is that an experienced pardons attorney who is thoroughly familiar with the process in Connecticut can help you with every step of the process and increase your chances of receiving a pardon and moving forward with your life as soon as possible. Please call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC today for more information about how we can assist you.

Pardon eligibility in Connecticut

There are no certain offenses that are pardonable or those that are not. However, it is important to realize that the more serious the offense, the more difficult it may be to have a pardon granted. This does not mean you shouldn’t look into the possibility of a pardon as the Board of Pardons and Parole evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis and an attorney can help you present a strong case in favor of a pardon.

One requirement that is important to know regarding pardon eligibility is the period of time you must wait to apply for a pardon. The waiting period is as follows:

• Three years from your conviction for a misdemeanor offense
• Five years from your conviction for a felony offense

If you have multiple convictions on your record, you cannot pick and choose which convictions you want to be pardoned. Instead, you are requesting the erasure of your entire criminal record. For this reason, the above waiting periods apply to your most recent conviction.

Another important fact to remember is that you are not eligible for a pardon if you are currently facing criminal charges or if you are in incarcerated. The best way to determine your eligibility for a pardon is to discuss your case with a knowledgeable pardons law firm.

Types of available pardons

There are different types of pardons for which you may qualify in Connecticut and the following is a brief description of each:

Expungement pardon – An expungement pardon is also known as a full pardon, as it erases your complete criminal record so your convictions will not be discoverable through background checks or other public records. The Board may simply grant a full pardon or may base the erasure of your record on certain conditions that must be met otherwise you risk your pardon being revoked.

Provisional pardon – A provisional pardon is also referred to as a Certificate of Employability. It does not erase your record like a full pardon. However, this pardon demonstrates that the Board has determined that you are employable and future employment decisions may not take your criminal record into account. This type of pardon can at least help to ensure that you can earn a living and support yourself.

Expedited pardon – An expedited pardon is a relatively new option in Connecticut created by recent law. Through this process, a full pardon may be granted without the need for a hearing and simply by means of written application. This type of expedited pardon is available to those with convictions for nonviolent offenses in which no victims may have an interest in your pardon.

The pardon application process

Because a pardon in Connecticut can be so beneficial, the application process is complicated and thorough. You must follow all instructions for completing the written application to the letter to avoid any unnecessary delays or denials. These applications require a significant amount of information including the following:

• Educational background or vocational training
• Employment history
• Information about any and all arrests, charges, and convictions
• Substance abuse or mental health treatment
• Specific reasons you are seeking a pardon
• Contributions you have made to your community
• Personal references
• Any information to demonstrate changes in your life and why the Board should trust that you will not re-offend or take advantage of the pardon

The way your present yourself in your application to the Board—and in the hearing that often follows—is essential to your success in obtaining a pardon. It is important that you have the help of an attorney who understands how to complete a persuasive pardon application and who can provide guidance throughout this often confusing process.

Contact an experienced Connecticut pardons attorney for more information today

Obtaining a pardon can significantly change your life for the better in many ways. While the process can be complicated, having the relief of a cleared criminal record can be well worth the effort of obtaining a pardon. In addition, having the help of a highly experienced legal team that has helped secure numerous pardons can make the process infinitely easier for you.

At Koffsky & Felsen, LLC , we not only work to defend against criminal charges but also are committed to helping clients who already have criminal convictions on their records. We know all too well the benefits of getting a pardon and we will do everything in our power to help you obtain this relief.

To learn more about the possibility of a pardon in your particular situation, please do not hesitate to discuss your specific circumstances with one of our experienced Connecticut pardons lawyers. Contact our office today at 203-327-1500 for a consultation.