A conviction in criminal court can come with long-lasting consequences. In many instances, you may be required to pay a heavy fine or spend significant time in jail. The creation of a criminal record can also substantially impact your housing, employment, and educational opportunities.

Thankfully, state law allows many convicted individuals to request a pardon. An absolute pardon will erase your criminal record and enable you to move forward with your life. However, there are limitations to pursuing a pardon, as the legal team at Ruane Attorneys could explain. Reach out to a New Britain pardons lawyer today to discuss your legal options.

Eligibility Requirements for Seeking a Pardon

Any person with a prior criminal conviction may be able to ask for an absolute pardon. According to the Board of Parolees and Pardons, there is a waiting period for this relief.

At a minimum, a person with a felony conviction must wait at least five years from the date of their conviction to ask for an absolute pardon. The waiting period is three years for a pardon related to a misdemeanor.

There are other factors that determine whether an absolute pardon is possible. These include the following:

• The applicant must have no current criminal cases open in this state or any other jurisdiction
• The applicant must not currently be on parole or probation
• There must be no “nolled” charges on a person’s record in the past 13 months

A New Britain pardons attorney could help individuals determine if they are eligible for a clearing of their criminal records.

Applying for an Absolute Pardon in New Britain

If a person meets the eligibility requirements, a local absolute pardon lawyer could help them submit formal applications online.

The first step involves obtaining all the necessary paperwork. This includes:

• A state criminal history report
• A notarized background investigation authorization
• Three reference questionnaires
• Police reports for any arrests resulting in a conviction over the past ten years
• Letters from a probation officer, if applicable
• Copy of a current driver’s license or State ID

A pardons attorney at our firm could take the lead in obtaining this documentation and uploading it into the online portal.

There is no in-person hearing on these matters. Instead, the Board will conduct a phone interview to confirm the information and gather additional data. Ideally, this will then result in the issuance of an absolute pardon.

Upcoming Updates in the Law for Erasing a Criminal Conviction

Criminal justice reform is an ongoing process in many states. Among these changes is a modernized legal procedure that allows people with a criminal conviction to receive an automatic pardon after certain convictions. In New Britain and the rest of the state, Public Act 21-32 will take effect on January 1, 2023.

Misdemeanor Convictions

This new procedure presumes that a court will issue a pardon if a petitioner’s conviction fits certain criteria. For a misdemeanor conviction, a person can request a pardon after at least seven years if the offense occurred on or after January 1, 2020. Courts hearing these cases will issue the pardon unless a prosecutor or law enforcement provides a valid reason to deny the request.

Felony Convictions

Felony cases are not so straightforward. A person with a Class A, B, or C felony cannot seek relief under the Clean Slate Bill. Certain classes of felonies, such as those that allege family violence or require registration as a sex offender, are also exempt. However, convictions for Class D or E felonies may allow a person to seek a pardon if they remain out of trouble for ten years. A New Britain pardons lawyer can help individuals evaluate their current criminal records and explain how the Clean Slate Bill could bring relief.

Speak with a New Britain Pardons Attorney Today

Even if you made mistakes in the past, you deserve to have a fresh start. You may be eligible for an absolute pardon as long as you have stayed out of trouble and met the relevant waiting period. This could significantly improve your future prospects by clearing your criminal record.

At Ruane Attorneys, a New Britain pardons lawyer could help you obtain this legal option for moving forward with your life. Our legal advisors could perform an initial evaluation of your eligibility, obtain the documents needed for a complete application, and submit data to the Board that helps prove your case. Reach out to us now to discuss your situation.