If you are considering applying for a pardon, you might not know too much about the process yet. You might wonder what your chances of being granted a pardon are. To understand the application process and your chances, you should understand what the Board of Pardons considers when making a decision on a pardon application. I will discuss a few of the factors that the Board of Pardons considers on this page.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles is a state agency with administrative support from the Department of Correction. The Board has the authority to grant pardons for any crime under Connecticut law. The Board has the authority and the discretion to grant and deny any pardon application. If you want to get a pardon, you need to impress the Board of Pardons.

What Does the Board of Pardons Consider?

There are many things that the Board will take into consideration when granting a pardon. These may include the offender’s rehabilitation and life improvement since criminal convictions, whether or not the victim shows up at the hearing and makes an impact on the Board, prior criminal history, how much time has passed since committing crimes, and what the impact would be on society if the pardon was granted.

One thing to remember is that any victims of crimes and the state’s attorney may appear at the pardon hearing. The victim’s impact statement as well as the state’s attorney opinion are taken into consideration.

The Board may consider what the individual has accomplished since criminal convictions. This might include their work history, educational history, contact with the criminal justice system, and the references from others. Other things taken into consideration are volunteering, community service, and involvement in community clubs and activities.

What Will Hurt Your Chances of Getting a Pardon?

The Board will not consider a pardon application that is missing information, missing reference letters, or applicants who have pending criminal convictions of any kind. The Board may not consider applicants who have been convicted of a felony in the past five years or a misdemeanor in the past three years either.

If a pardon application is incomplete, lacking information, or lacking convincing reason for getting granted a pardon, the application may be denied at a pre-hearing phase or at the hearing. In order to avoid this, it is best to hire a lawyer who is knowledgeable on what the Board wants to see, and how to combine all of your successes and qualities in a way that is positive.

Getting Help

If you are considering applying for a pardon, but you are hesitant and still have questions, call our office to speak with someone who can answer your questions and get you started with the process today. We are happy to go over the Connecticut pardon process with you and make sure that you understand what would be expected of you if you want to get a pardon. We are happy to help you with your pardon process as well.