Westport Expunging Protection Orders Lawyer
It is common for people to violate protection orders, often without even realizing it. But regardless of intent, protection order violations are felony offenses. Fortunately, a Westport expunging protection orders lawyer with knowledge of Connecticut’s erasure processes and pardons could help clear your record so you may move forward.
What is Violation of a Protective Order?
In Under Section 53a-223a of the Connecticut General Statutes, violation of a protective order is either a class C or class D felony- even if the order was not issued by the criminal court. This means that violating civil protective orders, standing criminal protective orders, criminal protective orders, and family violation restraining orders can lead to lengthy jail time.
To learn more about the consequences of violating a protective order, click here.
How Can Someone Get Their Record Expunged?
Typically, arrests and convictions are public information. They can make it difficult to secure housing, jobs, or financing. Therefore, any top Westport defense lawyer’s first order of business should be to protect your record at all costs. One way to do this is by erasing dismissed charges or filing for a pardon of old convictions.
Erasure applies to arrests that do not end in conviction. Pardons apply to convictions. To get an arrest erased you must either 1) have your case dismissed, 2) be acquitted after trial, or 3) wait 13 months after having your case nolled.
Can I Apply For A Pardon in Westport?
People may apply for a pardon five years after a felony conviction and three years after a misdemeanor conviction. The person applying cannot be currently incarcerated or facing criminal charges.
The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles will consider an applicant’s entire criminal record and any evidence of rehabilitation when they consider granting a pardon. The board may choose to award a full pardon or a conditional pardon. A full pardon would allow an applicant to seek erasure, while a conditional pardon would allow pardon based if certain standards are met. A top Westport Expunging Protective Order Lawyer can help you prepare so that you put forth a strong application for the Board to consider.
The Board may also choose to award applicants who are not eligible for a pardon a Certificate of Employability. While this certificate cannot erase a criminal record, it may help prevent employers from denying employment based on an applicant’s criminal history.
What Happens After a Pardon or an Erasure?
Getting your record erased or conviction expunged means your case is removed from public view and from view of most background checks. With an erasure, you can swear under oath that the arrest did not happen. Additionally, you can get internet articles removed. To learn more about our internet scrubbing division, click here.
Work With a Westport Expunging Protection Orders Attorney Today
Although record erasure can be complicated, especially if you must first obtain a pardon, an experienced Westport expunging protection orders lawyer could help make the process simpler. An attorney could evaluate your eligibility for erasure, eligibility for a pardon, and assist with the application process. Read our certified client reviews by clicking here, and call Mark Sherman Law today to learn more.