If you have been charged and convicted of domestic violence, you may have trouble passing a criminal background check to get a job. This can have far-reaching effects on your life as many employers require a clean criminal background before they will hire you. Luckily, in Connecticut, you have the option of getting a Certificate of Employability.
According to the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles, a Certificate of Employability can help ensure your domestic violence conviction does not stop you from being employed. It makes it illegal for an employer to deny hiring you based on your conviction alone. With many employers making job offers that are conditional upon your background check, this can really help you to avoid being told you cannot be hired due to your conviction.
The conviction stays on your record, but the certificate provides you protection when it comes to those employer background checks. It may also make you eligible for certain professional licenses.
You should note that you cannot apply for this certificate until enough time has passed since your conviction. For a felony, five years must have passed. It is three years for misdemeanors. You also must have no pending charges of any kind. You must complete and application and attend a hearing. You need to provide all the information about your conviction, including the court that handled your case and where you were arrested. The application must be accompanied with police incident reports and a fee. This information is for education and is not legal advice.