In Connecticut, your criminal records can be erased or expunged under the circumstances described below. If your record is eliminated, it is as though the arrest, charge, or conviction never occurred, and you can legally say that you do not have a criminal record. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a(e)(3) (2018).)
Your record may be erased if:
(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a (2018).)
If your record qualifies for erasure, in many cases it should happen automatically. If it does not, you may petition the court where your case was handled and ask that your record be cleared.
If your records cannot be erased under the rules above, you may apply for what is called an "expungement pardon." If you qualify, your entire criminal history will be erased. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 142a(d) (2018).) Expungement pardons are available for:
(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-130a (2018).)
The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles has the authority to grant pardons for any crime.
For more information about expungement pardons, visit the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles website. There, you will find the form and instructions for completing an Expungement Pardon Petition.
If you believe there is a mistake on your criminal record, you may ask to have it corrected. To do so, you must get a copy of your record and then send a letter to the state police containing proof of the mistake. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142l (2018).)
To request a copy of your criminal history record, visit the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection website and complete the form titled DPS-0846-C.
Cleaning up your criminal record can be complicated. To learn more about erasing or expunging criminal records in Connecticut—and to discuss your personal circumstances—you should contact a qualified criminal law attorney. A good lawyer can guide you each step of the way.