Tom Paris comes from a distinguished family of Starfleet Officers. He joined Starfleet, but was involved in a tragic accident that cost several lives. Instead of trying to cover it up, Paris admitted his error and was court-martialed.
After his father wanted nothing to do with him, Paris quickly joined the Maquis and served with Chakotay. However, on his first mission he was captured by the Federation and was sentenced to a penal colony on Earth. Captain Janeway recruited Paris for Voyager's mission to go after Chakotay's Maquis vessel because of his experience with him.
