Connecticut Board of Pardons Conducts 2025 Pardon Session via Zoom Hearing

The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles convened on July 17, 2025, for a pivotal absolute pardon hearing, emphasizing the significant impact of pardons on individuals seeking to erase their criminal records. Chairperson Jennifer Medina Zaganini led the session, highlighting the board's authority to grant either an absolute pardon or a certificate of employability, which can greatly influence an applicant's future opportunities.

Zaganini clarified that while an absolute pardon can erase a criminal record, it does not equate to a declaration of innocence or exoneration. The board evaluates several factors when considering applications, including the nature of the crime, its impact on victims, the time elapsed since the offense, and the applicant's efforts toward rehabilitation.

During the hearing, Zaganini congratulated applicants for their commitment to personal growth and community contribution, acknowledging that not all would receive a pardon today. However, she encouraged continued efforts in rehabilitation, noting that those denied could reapply in the future.

The session also included important procedural details, such as the necessity for applicants to disclose any changes in their conviction status or new arrests since their application. The board's decisions are tentatively granted, pending successful record checks, which may take up to ten weeks to finalize. Until applicants receive their official pardon certificate, they should refrain from claiming they have never been convicted of a crime.

This hearing represents a crucial step for many individuals in Connecticut, offering a chance for a fresh start and the opportunity to reintegrate into society without the burden of past convictions.