What You Need to Know About Arrest Records, Dismissals, and Erasure Laws in Connecticut
It’s one of the most common and nerve-racking questions I hear:
“Attorney Friedman, I was arrested, but my case was dismissed — will this show up on a background check?”
Understanding How “Probable Cause” Really Works — and What to Do If You’re Accused Without Proof
Introduction
It’s one of the most shocking realities of the criminal justice system — yes, you can be arrested in Connecticut without a single piece of physical evidence.
Understanding self-defense in ConnecticutIt’s late. You’re at a gas station by your car, and someone starts shouting — inches from your face, red-faced, getting closer. Your heart races. Your first instinct may be to hit them before they hit you.
Before you act, take a breath. Connecticut law lets you use reasonable force to defend yourself from the imminent use of unlawful force — but reasonable is the key word. What feels reasonable in the moment can still put you in criminal trouble. As a Connecticut Criminal Assault Defense Lawyer, I’ve seen many clients face charges because they misunderstood what “reasonable force” really means,
They think they’re safe because they never crossed the border.
They sit in New York, Florida, or California behind a laptop, running a scam, stealing data, or sending money requests to Connecticut residents — convinced that as long as they never set foot here, no one can touch them.
But that’s not how it works.
Why the First Hours After an Arrest Matter More than You Think
When the police knock on the door or flash their lights in the rearview mirror, life can go from normal to upside down in seconds. I’ve seen it countless times over the years: good people with careers, families, and reputations suddenly find themselves cuffed, booked, and overwhelmed with fear. The first reaction is almost always the same — panic. Thoughts race: Am I going to jail? Will I lose my license? How will this affect my job or my family?
That panic is human. But it’s also where mistakes happen. Talking too much to the police, signing something you don’t understand, or missing a critical court deadline can make the situation far worse.
One of the first things police and prosecutors look at after an arrest is your social media. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and even text screenshots now appear in nearly every Connecticut criminal case.
Many of my clients never imagined that a simple post, photo, or comment could be used against them as evidence. In reality, I’ve seen prosecutors use posts made in frustration, jokes taken out of context, or old photos to convince judges and juries that someone is guilty or dangerous.
The Fear Beyond the CourtroomGetting arrested is always terrifying, but for professionals — such as doctors, teachers, lawyers, financial advisors, and executives — the consequences can feel catastrophic before the case even reaches a courtroom.
I’ve represented countless people over the years who came to me not only worried about fines or jail, but with a more profound fear:
A Split-Second Choice With Lasting ConsequencesIn Stamford, Norwalk, and across Connecticut, young people often feel pressure to fit in with friends, get into clubs, or buy alcohol before 21. It might seem harmless to flash a fake ID at the bar or liquor store, but the reality is this: using or even possessing a fake ID can lead to criminal charges that follow you long after the party ends.
I meet clients all the time—college students, interns, and young professionals—who are terrified after being stopped with a fake ID. They worry about their future, their jobs, and their parents finding out. If this happened to you, please understand: you are not alone, and with the right defense, one mistake does not have to define your life.
A Tough Split-Second DecisionGetting pulled over for DUI in Connecticut is stressful enough. Blue lights flash in your mirror, your heart races, and the officer asks you to blow into the breathalyzer. Many of my clients tell me later:
“If I don’t blow, they don’t have proof, right?”
We’ve all been there. Someone cuts you off in traffic, rides your bumper, or refuses to let you merge. Your blood pressure rises, your grip on the wheel tightens, and you feel the urge to respond. In that moment, a normal driver can quickly turn into an “angry driver.” But in Connecticut, letting your temper get the best of you on the road can lead to serious criminal charges, not just a traffic ticket.
Clients often ask me: “Can I really be arrested just for losing my temper while driving?” The answer is yes. Depending on your behavior, what starts as frustration can spiral into charges for reckless driving, assault, breach of peace, or even risk of injury to a child if minors are in the car. Connecticut law takes road rage seriously, and police officers are trained to treat these incidents as public safety threats.
Connecticut Criminal Lawyer Blog
