FAQs

• Question: What do I do with the notice letter? I don’t understand my choices.
  Answer:

  Your license has either been revoked (taken away permanently), suspended (put in non-active status so you can’t work as a security guard or other licensee) or denied (not granted). You need to tell us what you would like to do next from the choices listed. You can have an informal pre-hearing conference (a meeting off the record with the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit Detective and the agency advocate to discuss the reasons why the decision was made), a compliance conference (a more formal, on-the-record discussion of why the decision was made), and/or a formal hearing (an on-the-record procedure (like a mini trial), where a neutral hearing officer will hear both sides of the case (from you and the Special Licensing Detective, and any other witnesses, with the agency advocate acting as the “prosecutor”). You may also decide to withdraw (not challenge the decision), and then your criminal history record will not be made public. You must sign and date the letter and send it back to the Department within fifteen (15) days if you want any of the options.

• Question: What happens if I don’t send back the letter with my signed decisions within fifteen (15) days?
  Answer: The Department’s decision to deny, suspend, or revoke your license will remain, and you will not get your license
• Question: What does “withdrawal” mean?
  Answer: Withdrawal means that you choose to not challenge the decision, and accept the denial, suspension, or revocation of your license.
• Question: What is an informal pre-hearing conference?
  Answer:

  An informal pre-hearing conference is a meeting off the record with the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit Detective and the agency advocate to discuss the reasons why the decision was made and what your options might be for your license.

• Question: What is a compliance conference?
  Answer:

  A compliance conference is a more formal, taped, on-the-record discussion of why the decision was made and what your options might be for your license. The Special Licensing and Firearms Unit Detective and the agency advocate will both be there.

• Question: What is a hearing?
  Answer: A hearing is like a mini-trial where both sides (you and the agency) get to present reasons why you should or should not get your license in front of a neutral hearing officer, who makes the final decision. You may present evidence of any kind you feel will help your case, or call in witnesses to testify (speak) on your behalf. You may also cross-examine (ask questions of) the agency’s witnesses, and they can cross-examine you and your witnesses. Hearings begin with opening statements (saying why you’re here and what you want to show) and end with closing statements (why you want the Hearing Officer to make a certain decision).
• Question: Do I need to hire a lawyer to represent me at the conference or hearing?
  Answer:

  No, although you may do so if you wish. The agency advocate is very happy to speak with your lawyer prior to any proceedings if you have one, or you yourself can call and ask questions about the process at 860-685-8215. 

• Question: Will the Department provide a lawyer to represent me at a conference or hearing?
  Answer:

  No, the Department has no obligation to do so.

• Question: Can I represent myself at the conference or hearing?
  Answer:

  Yes. This is called being “pro se.”

• Question: How do I hire a lawyer to represent me at a conference or hearing?
  Answer:

  There are many lawyers in the state who may be able to help you for a fee. You may call the Connecticut Bar Association for a referral, or for free or low-cost representation, try these websites:

  • Statewide Legal Services https://www.slsct.org/ or Statewide Legal Services (Spanish/Espanol) https://www.slsct.org/es, (Russian) https://ctlawhelp.org/en/russian-resources, (Polish) https://ctlawhelp.org/en/polish-resources (Portuguese) https://ctlawhelp.org/en/portuguese-resources (Chinese) https://ctlawhelp.org/en/chinese-resources, and (Arabic ) https://ctlawhelp.org/en/arabic-resources.
  • Connecticut Legal Services- https://ctlegal.org/
  • Greater Hartford Legal Aid- https://www.ghla.org/
• Question: What can I bring to help my case?
  Answer: For a conference, any documents or papers that you feel will be helpful. For a hearing, any documents (three (3) copies of each, please) and you may also bring anyone you feel can help your case by giving spoken testimony to the hearing officer.
• Question: Can I bring in friends, family, coworkers, social workers, or supervisors to testify as to my character or other positive qualities at a hearing?
  Answer:

  Yes, you may bring as many people to testify as you feel necessary to assist your case in a hearing. You may also have your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else write letters to the hearing officer to testify to your character if you feel it will be helpful. Please bring three (3) copies of each document to the hearing, one for you, one for the hearing officer, and one for the agency advocate.

• Question: Can I bring in documents and papers that I think would help my case?
  Answer:

  Yes, if you think they would be helpful. Please bring in three (3) copies for a hearing, though, one for you, one for the hearing officer, and one for the agency advocate.

• Question: I want to bring paper evidence with me, but I don’t have access to a copier to make copies for everyone. What should I do?
  Answer:

  Public libraries offer copying services at minimal charge. The agency, as a courtesy, may be willing to make copies during a hearing if absolutely necessary.

• Question: I don’t speak English well. Can I have a friend or family member interpret for me?
  Answer:

  No, it is usually not okay to use relatives or friends as interpreters because they have not been tested in terms of their ability to interpret and communicate advanced legal concepts and/or for language proficiency. Family and friends may also have interests in the outcome of the case and may not be neutral parties.

• Question: I don’t speak English well. Can I request an interpreter?
  Answer:

  Yes, the Department can provide a free interpreter if you ask for one ahead of time. Please call 860-685-8215 as soon as possible if you need an interpreter during a conference or hearing.

• Question: I’m hearing-impaired. May I request a sign language interpreter?
  Answer:

  Of course. Please call 860-685-8215 as soon as possible before the conference or hearing so we can provide one for you.

• Question: How do I get to State Police Headquarters? Is there parking?
  Answer: We are located at 1111 Country Club Road in Middletown, CT, zip code 06457. Visitor parking is available on site.
• Question: I’m in jail, prison, or in a halfway house where I can’t travel for a conference or hearing. Can I participate on the phone?
  Answer:

  Yes, as long as someone authorized from your facility can tell the agency advocate in advance that you cannot travel due to your situation. If you are incarcerated, we can arrange for a telephone call with the Warden and/or correctional counselors.

• Question: The conference or hearing date conflicts with my schedule- can I get it changed?
  Answer:

  Yes, please call 860-685-8215 as soon as possible to arrange for a better date and time.

• Question: I’m having child care problems- can I bring them to the conference or hearing?
  Answer:

  The Department does not provide childcare services. You may bring a child or children as long as you also bring a responsible person to watch them outside of the hearing room for as long as is necessary. There is a small cafeteria available onsite with drinks and packaged snacks for sale, and a microwave, but there are no diaper-changing facilities available. Stickers for children are available at the front desk!

• Question: I need to bring an assistance/emotional support animal to my conference or hearing- is this okay?
  Answer:

  Yes, you may bring service animals if they are trained to serve a person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Emotional support animals not trained to provide services due to a disability are not allowed. Kindly call 860-685-8215 beforehand if you intend to bring a service animal. All animals must be housebroken.

• Question: Why does my criminal history record count against me?
  Answer:

  The Department is required to consider your criminal history for your license under state law. You can read the laws online at https://cga.ct.gov/current/pub/title_29.htm.

• Question: I thought criminal history records checks only went back for seven years.
  Answer: This is a common misconception because many commercial background check services only go back for seven years or so. Any fingerprint-supported criminal history background check performed by the Connecticut State Police will incorporate all of person’s criminal history over their lifetime, including records from other states
• Question: Why is my criminal history record that is really old counting against me? That was a long time ago?
  Answer: Connecticut State law does not have a time limit on consideration of criminal history for licensure. Many commercial background check services will only go back for a certain number of years, but licenses issued by the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit look at your entire available criminal history record. The Department must consider, however, how much time has elapsed since the crime, your degree of rehabilitation, and the relationship of the crime to the license.
• Question: Who is the agency advocate?
  Answer:

  The agency advocate is a lawyer who presents the Department’s case on why you should not be given a license, or why your license should be taken away or suspended. She works with the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit and represents the Department at conferences and hearings. She can meet with you in conferences to try and see if you can be given your license if possible and appropriate.

• Question: Who makes the decision to deny, suspend, or revoke my license?
  Answer:

  The Special Licensing and Firearms Unit State Police officer in charge of your license, usually a Detective. He or she will be at your conferences and/or hearings.

• Question: What is the Board of Pardons and Paroles and how can they help me?
  Answer: The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles is a Connecticut agency that can grant an Absolute Pardon (also known as an expungement), which, if granted, results in complete erasure of your official criminal record. You may apply to the Pardons Board for a pardon three (3) years after your most recent misdemeanor conviction and/or five (5) years after your most recent felony conviction. Please visit the Board of Pardons and Paroles website to learn more about this process here: https://portal.ct.gov/BOPP/Pardon-Division/Pardon/Pardon-Info
• Question: Do other states have Boards of Pardons and Paroles that could help me clear my record?
  Answer:

  This varies state by state. Some do and some do not. You will have to do your own research to see if the state in which you have a criminal record has this process, and if so, how to go about clearing your record. Please note that “sealing” of records or “certificates of employability” issued by states that do not expunge (physically clear or remove) past convictions do not count in Connecticut- if the crime still shows up on your criminal history check, we must consider it.

• Question: The criminal history record that the Unit has is wrong. How do I change it?
  Answer:

  Contact the State Police Bureau of Identification to correct your record at 860-685-8480.

• Question: My identity was stolen and the criminal history record is for a different person- how do I change this?
  Answer: Please submit any written proof you have of identity theft (police reports, court orders, etc) to the agency advocate and/or the Special Licensing Detective as soon as possible. You should also contact the State Police Bureau of Identification to formally correct your record and make sure this doesn’t happen again.
• Question: I don’t agree with the decision that the Hearing Officer made. What can I do?
  Answer:

  You may ask the Hearing Officer in writing for reconsideration fifteen (15) days after the final decision. If this is denied, you may appeal to the Connecticut Superior Court.

• Question: Can I get a transcript or audio file of my hearing?
  Answer: Yes, but you must be willing to pay for the transcription service or DVD.
• Question: Can I get my money back that I spent for the license if my application is denied or if I am suspended?
  Answer:

  No, as the funds submitted for the license are considered sunk costs to obtain the federal and state criminal history records check. However, if you obtain a pardon, clear your criminal history record, return to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit with a clean record, and are then accepted, (or successfully complete an accelerated rehabilitation program in the case of a suspension and are cleared by the Unit to regain your license) you will be granted the remainder of time left on your license since you originally applied. In these cases, you will not be re-charged the application fee.