Collateral Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Connecticut

 Posted on June 17, 2022 in Criminal Defense

When a person is convicted of a crime, the court will hand down the sentence they are required to serve, with the severity of that sentence dependent on the severity of the crime, along with the circumstances of the case.

Once the sentence has been completed, the defendant may believe they have “paid their debt to society” for the crime they have been convicted of, however, if that crime was a felony, there may be collateral consequences that will have an impact on the defendant’s future.

Felony Charges

In Connecticut, there are several classes of felonies a person may be charged with. The class of felony charged will determine the minimum/maximum sentence the defendant will face if convicted:

• Capital A felony – Life without possibility of release

• Class A felony – 10 to 60 years in prison, depending on the crime charged

• Class B felony – One to 40 years in prison, depending on the crime charged

• Class C felony – One to 10 years in prison, depending on the crime charged

• Class D felony – Up to five year in prison, depending on the crime charged

After Sentence Is Complete

If you are convicted of a felony, in addition to your sentence, the following are some of the other rights you may find you no longer have:

• Right to vote – One of the collateral consequences of a felony conviction is felony disenfranchisement and means that you lose your right to vote. However, in Connecticut, your voting rights will be restored once you have paid all fines, served your jail or prison sentence, and completed parole or probation. In order to restore the rights, you must contact and show proof of sentence completion to voting registration officials.

• Student loans – If the felony you were convicted of was for a drug crime, you may not be able to obtain a student loan if you wish to pursue a higher education. Under federal law, a person convicted of a drug charge may lose eligibility for a period of years, or in cases of two or more drug convictions, it may be indefinite. In some cases, a student can regain eligibility for loans by successfully completing a drug rehabilitation program and passing random drug tests.

• Firearm ownership – In Connecticut, it is a criminal offense for a felon to possess or own a firearm or electronic defense weapon (i.e., stun gun).

• Professional licenses – Professional licenses for various professions may also be restricted or revoked if you have been convicted of a felony. This can severely hinder your opportunity for employment. Some of these professional licenses include architects, physicians, psychologists, and other medical professionals, and major contractors.

Call a Stamford, CT Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested for a felony – or any other crime – you need a dedicated Fairfield County criminal lawyer to aggressively defend you and ensure your rights are protected. Contact Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner at 203-348-5846 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Sources:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2016/rpt/2016-R-0039.htm

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2000/rpt/2000-R-0032.htm