Whether you want to apply for a new job or you want to further your education, there are many ways to make yourself happier and feel more fulfilled. These are great ways to move past a criminal conviction, and today, I want to talk about another great way to move on from your criminal history. Applying for a pardon will open many new doors for you and help you focus on the future by minimizing your criminal history. If you are looking for a way to truly put your criminal history in the past, you should consider applying for a pardon. On this page, I’ll walk you through the steps of applying for a pardon in Connecticut.

Types of Pardons

Before I get too deep into the pardon application process, I want to clarify that there are two different types of pardons that you can apply for. You can apply for an expungement pardon, also referred to as a full pardon, or you can apply for a provisional pardon. An expungement pardon will fully erase your criminal history, meaning that no matter how many crimes you have committed, you will be “pardoned” for these crimes and they will be erased from your criminal history. Getting a full pardon is like never committing a crime. On the other hand, a provisional pardon is a partial pardon. This type of pardon doesn’t erase your criminal history – it just means that it is illegal for potential employers to deny you a job because you have a criminal record.

Applying for a Pardon

Going through the application process for a pardon can be frustrating and confusing. There are many forms to fill out and obtain as part of your application. This is why a lot of people who are applying for a pardon hire a pardon lawyer to help them with the process. If you want the process to be easier, hiring a pardon lawyer is in your best interest.

Step 1: The first thing that you should do when applying for a pardon is obtain your criminal history. A pardons lawyer can get this for you, or you can request one by contacting the State Police Bureau of Identification. You have to accumulate:

• A $50 money order or check to DPS.
• A Criminal History Request for a Pardon Form.
• A set of your fingerprints.

Send these documents to:
State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457-9294
You can contact the State Police Bureau of Identification with questions.

Step 2: Once you obtain a copy of your criminal history, you should get a copy of your police report(s) for all arrests that ended in conviction in the past 10 years. Some offenses, such as driving infractions or out of state offenses, might not be listed on police reports. You will have to contact other states for police reports concerning out of state offenses. You have to obtain a copy of these reports regardless.

Step 3: Provide a letter from your supervising probation officer if you have been on probation in the past. This letter should express the date that you were discharged from probation.

Step 4: Fill out the forms that the Board of Pardons requires. A pardons lawyer can provide you with a packet of these forms.

Hearing with the Board of Pardons

Once your application is reviewed, you might be invited to a meeting with the Board of Pardons. The Board will determine if your application should be granted or denied after meeting with you. During the meeting, the Board will ask you questions about your convictions, how you have changed since the time of your conviction, and more.