SEYMOUR – A former school board member who was charged with disorderly conduct and trespass was granted entry into a court diversionary program meant for non-violent, first-time offenders, his lawyer said.
Jay Hatfield was charged July 11 by Hartford police during a Yard Goats minor league baseball game. He resigned from his elected position on the Seymour school board July 29.
Hatfield’s last court appearance was Sept. 14 in Hartford.
“Mr. Hatfield was admitted into the accelerated rehabilitation program this week,” said Hatfield’s lawyer, Trent LaLima, in an email to The Valley Indy Sept. 15. “It does not involve any finding or admission of guilt, but Mr. Hatfield intends to continue to comply with the court’s conditions and obtain the dismissal and erasure of this case in March 2027.”
In general, accelerated rehabilitation is a special form of probation that allows criminal charges to be erased if the defendant stays out of trouble for a certain period of time. In addition, the defendant must comply with any court-ordered programming.
According to the state’s court database, Hatfield has a hearing scheduled for March 15, 2027 in Hartford. His case file has been sealed, which is routine in Connecticut for defendants who receive accelerated rehabilitation.
Hatfield was not available for comment. He is still listed as a teacher at Platt Technical High School in Milford.
Police said Hatfield appeared intoxicated after stadium employees accused him of making inappropriate comments. Police said he wouldn’t leave the premises after being told to do so. Both charges were misdemeanors.
“This case has been a stressful experience for him, but Mr. Hatfield has made tremendous strides since the beginning of the case – he will continue to do so,” LaLima said via an email.