PRO

Licensed for 45 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Willimantic, CT
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Violent Crime, DUI & DWI ... +5 more

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Jerome

Biography

I am a criminal defense attorney. I am responsible for and I proudly represent each and every one of my clients personally. I am honored to have been selected as one of the top 100 criminal defense attorneys in Connecticut by the American Society of Legal Advocates and the National Trial Lawyers each year since 2014.

Although I am a solo practitioner, I am not alone in my law office. I have a wonderful legal assistant, Kelley Finlan, who is most capable and very helpful to my clients. She is usually the voice they hear and speak with when they call my Willimantic, Connecticut law office. She frequently answers their questions, putting their minds at ease immediately. When she can't answer a question right away or after some research, she will talk with me. As soon as we have an answer, one of us will return the call to our client to advise.

We enjoy helping people who are in trouble. It doesn't happen in every case but with some frequency, we get to help someone out of a big jam and enable that person to turn his or her life around for the better. We find great satisfaction in helping to make that possible. In most cases, I am the only person standing up for my clients' rights and I am frequently the only thing that stands between my clients and jail.

When a lawyer defends a person charged with a crime, that lawyer not only defends the client but also all the rest of us. People don't realize that it is the criminal defense attorney who puts the brakes on the state's enormous apparatus for incarcerating people. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, over 700 people per 100,000 population! Without criminal defense lawyers challenging the state's police power, the state could lock-up people for no reason at all, without regard for our constitutional rights! Criminal defense lawyers really are the first-line defense against the tyranny of a police state. By vigorously asserting defendants' constitutional rights day-in and day-out, criminal defense lawyers stop the state from arresting people and locking them up for no good reason.

I believe in those constitutional rights that some regard as mere technicalities. Those constitutional rights and the criminal defense lawyers who vigorously defend them are our protection against becoming a police state. I am very proud to be a criminal defense attorney defending our liberty and democracy as well as my clients.

Potential clients often ask if I am aggressive; as if that were the most important trait in a criminal defense lawyer. The answer is, I am effective. I want to be as effective as I possibly can be in getting the best possible results for my clients. Aggression usually breeds aggression by the other side in return and interferes with effectiveness. So, I am only aggressive when I need to be. Most of the time, there is a better way to achieve the best result.

Since about 98 percent of all cases are resolved without trial, a good negotiating strategy is usually necessary to persuade prosecutors and judges to give my clients the best outcome. I have worked hard to learn and develop excellent negotiating skills that benefit my criminal defense clients. Usually, the best results for my clients are negotiated agreements.

Trial is the last resort when negotiation fails to achieve a satisfactory result. If a trial becomes necessary, I’m perfectly willing and able to go to trial and fight to defend my clients’ rights and freedom.

I am proud to serve my clients. I would be honored if you would give me the opportunity to defend you against whatever criminal charges may be confronting you.

Defending clients against Connecticut criminal charges, drunk driving and other motor vehicle offenses, and juvenile delinquency charges. Call today for free consultation (860) 455-4202

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 30%

Attorney Paun defends clients against all felony and misdemeanor charges in Connecticut courts. My law practice is exclusively dedicated to defending both adults and juveniles against criminal charges.

28 years

30%

Violent Crime 20%

Violent crimes include but are not limited to assault, robbery, burglary, family violence, kidnapping, manslaughter, and murder. Attorney Paun defends clients in Connecticut courts against all violent crime charges, felonies, and misdemeanors alike.

28 years

20%

DUI and DWI 15%

Attorney Paun defends clients against charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in court and represents them at Department of Motor Vehicles operator's license per se suspension hearings.

26 years

15%

Juvenile Law 10%

Juveniles accused of crimes are charged with juvenile delinquency in Connecticut Juvenile Court. Delinquency charges can range from low-level infractions to very serious felony charges that can be transferred to adult courts. Attorney Paun can help.

21 years

10%

Sex Crime 10%

Sexual assault, risk of injury to minors, sexual harassment, possession of child pornography, etc. are especially dangerous because they can not only result in criminal convictions and jail time but also life-long sex offender registration.

26 years

10%

Expungement 5%

We help people clear their Connecticut criminal conviction records. We help our clients properly prepare and file the pardon application and associated documentation. Attorney Paun prepares them for and represents them at the pardon hearing.

26 years

Speeding and Traffic Ticket 5%

Attorney Paun defends clients against motor vehicle charges including speeding, reckless driving, evading responsibility, distracted driving, and other moving offenses.

28 years

White Collar Crime 5%

Attorney Paun defends clients against forgery, larceny, embezzlement, credit card and other fraud charges, bribery, computer crime, and other white collar crime charges in Connecticut.

28 years

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 45 minutes

Payment Methods

Cash
Check
Credit Card

Awards

2025 2023 2022

...

+ 11

Licenses

Licensed in Connecticut for 39 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 1986

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in New York for 45 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1980

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

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Location

The Law Office of Jerome Paun

(860) 456-4452

Fax

700 Main Street, Willimantic, CT, 06226

paunlaw.com/

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Online Presence

Other places you can find Jerome online.

Jerome Paun's Reviews

Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

92 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(91)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(1)

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5 star

(90)

4 star

(1)

3 star

(0)

2 star

(0)

1 star

(0)

Showing 1 - 5 of 91 client reviews from Avvo

Posted by Julio | January 6, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Helped even from +600 miles away!!

We had a case from 10+ years ago that was not resolved correctly, come back and cause us issues in our new State!!! I can't say enough good things about Jerome Paun and his amazing assistant. From our first consultation to the resolution of my case, they were fantastic. What stood out most was how ea...sy they were to work with – no confusing jargon, just straightforward and honest communication. They always kept me in the loop and responded quickly to my questions, and this was with us being over 600+ miles away! Beyond that, their professionalism was evident in every interaction. I felt confident knowing I was in such capable hands. I highly recommend this lawyer to anyone seeking legal assistance in CT!

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Posted by Brandon | December 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney

One of the best

Great at what he’s does. Is very strategical. I was pushy but he knew best and sure enough worked out to the T. He got me first an absolute pardon then I caught another case while getting the pardon and he got an out right dismissal, and jumped right back on the pardon unbelievable. Not only looks t...he part to his strapping suspenders and bow tie but knows the players in the courts very helpful.

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Posted by Joe | August 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Outstanding DUI Defense and Ongoing Support

In 2019, my son was stopped in his car by police and charged with a driving under the influence of alcohol offense. We were fortunate to find Mr. Jerome Paun, who diligently defended him. Mr. Paun’s many years of experience and long-standing relationships with the courts and other authorities were cl...ear from the very beginning. Throughout the entire process, he made sure we felt supported and informed. Every question we asked was answered thoroughly, and he explained exactly what we should expect at each stage. His professionalism, dedication, and compassion gave us confidence during an incredibly stressful time. As a result of this experience, my son has made significant, positive changes in his life that continue to this day. We remain deeply grateful for Mr. Paun’s representation and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and compassionate attorney.

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Posted by chris | August 14, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Legal woes can weigh you down, but you will feel that load lighten with Jerome Paun.

If you need criminal defense help in this area of the state, look no further than Jerome Paun. When you sit down with Jerome, which you will indeed do before moving forward, you will hear every detail of the law as relates to your case. You will leave the office fully informed of your rights and of ...the best path moving forward. Jerome will put you at ease, and more importantly, he will listen to you and make you feel like a person. You are not simply a case number when you hire him. You will go to court with the knowledge that you have the best legal representation possible, and that Jerome will work tirelessly for your best possible outcome. My own case was a little less than cut and dry, and in a word, Jerome was awesome. He would have my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation for anyone in need of a great lawyer.

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Posted by Joseph | August 6, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Atty Jerome Paun excellent job

I hired Attorney Jerome Paun on an expungement case, and I’m very happy with the results. He was professional, knowledgeable, and made the process easy to understand. Communication was great and I always felt supported. Thanks to his help, my record is cleared and I feel like I have a fresh start. Hi...ghly recommend!

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