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Criminal Defense Lawyer Helps Clear your Record in Norwalk, CT

A criminal record can have an extremely negative impact on a person’s life. Long after any sentence is complete, convicted criminal offenders may feel the effects of their offense. It is not uncommon to make mistakes while younger, such as shoplifting or using drugs, only to have the error cause long-term harm. For example, the existence of a criminal record may affect your ability to acquire certain jobs, be approved for certain types of housing, obtain professional or recreational licenses, travel internationally, or apply for federal student loans. For this reason, many criminal offenders seek to erase their criminal history.

The state of Connecticut has made it possible for qualifying offenders to have their criminal records erased or pardoned. While commonly referred to as “expungement,” Connecticut law refers to the process of eliminating an individual’s criminal record as “erasure.” You may be able to erase many different crimes from public records, including theft, burglary, marijuana possession, and assault. Under state law, when a person’s record is eliminated he or she can legally indicate that the incident in question never occurred. Due to the use of electronically stored data, there are certain databases that might retain information regarding a criminal charge or arrest. Howe’ver, our firm is keenly aware of the types of databases that retain information even after a person’s record has been expunged and are knowledgeable on how to best handle such situation.

As is often the case when dealing with criminal legal matters, the procedures for erasures and pardons can be intimidating and complicated. Fortunately, the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael R. Corsello, LLC can help you through every step of the erasure process.

Erasure of Criminal Records in Fairfield, CT

Connecticut law allows for an individual’s criminal records to be erased if certain conditions are met. Your criminal record may be erased if:

• You were found not guilty;
• The case was dismissed;
• Your case was “nolled,” meaning the prosecutor decided to no longer pursue charges;
• Your case was continued at the request of the prosecutor and there was no further action on the case for a period of 13 months.

Erasure Subsequent to a Pardon (Expungement Pardon)

Under Connecticut law, a person may also be able to have their criminal record erased in the event that they receive an absolute pardon for their offenses. A person may apply for an expungement pardon three years after the disposition of a misdemeanor or five years after the disposition of a felony. Importantly, people seeking an expungement pardon may not seek a pardon for particular offenses but rather must seek a pardon for their entire criminal history.

Provisional Pardons in Fairfield, Connecticut

A provisional pardon is another option for people who are seeking employment and are being negatively affected by the existence of a criminal record. Though this type of pardon does not erase your criminal history, it serves to remove certain barriers to allow offenders to obtain employment or a professional license despite past convictions. Past offenders can seek a provisional pardon at any time, but if they are under any criminal justice supervision, they also need to provide additional documentation in the form of a “Supervising Officer Questionnaire.”

Contact an Experienced Norwalk Connecticut Expungement and Pardons Attorney

It is advisable for people seeking an expungement or pardon of their criminal records to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Connecticut attorney Michael R. Corsello has 30 years of experience practicing in criminal defense law. He handles a broad range of criminal defense matters ranging from minor ordinance violations to serious crimes of violence and has extensive knowledge regarding criminal justice procedures. Do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Michael R. Corsello, LLC today to schedule a free consultation. We provide legal help to residents in Norwalk, Westport, Stamford, Fairfield, and throughout Connecticut.