What Do You Do If You Are On Trial For a Crime in Connecticut?

Crime is an act of wrongdoing against society, punishable by law. In Connecticut, there are two categories of offenses:

• Misdemeanors: These are offenses that are not indictable
• Felonies refer to indictable crimes, which are usually more severe than misdemeanors.

In Connecticut, law enforcement officials may notify an alleged offender of their charges during their arrest or in a summons. They may also receive a notification of the charges during an arraignment. The Superior Courts of Connecticut handle almost all criminal cases within the state’s jurisdiction.

The arraignment process affords the defendant their constitutional rights and requires them to enter a plea. A guilty plea by the defendant marks the culmination of the criminal justice process, followed by a sentencing hearing. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the court schedules a pretrial conference.

What Percentage of Criminal Cases Go to Trial in Connecticut?

Although Connecticut law enforcement agencies do not publish specific figures, less than 10% of criminal cases usually go to trial. It is generally cheaper in terms of time and resources to have a plea bargain or a settlement without a state trial. A case progresses to trial often because the defendant enters a not-guilty plea or if the prosecutor or defendant rejects a plea bargain.

When Does a Criminal Defendant Have the Right to a Trial?

A concerted effort of the state and federal constitutions, statutes, and court rules govern the schedule of criminal trials in Connecticut. The 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees an accused person the right to a public trial and a speedy one. The state statutes for Superior Court rules require that the courts try defendants within 12 months of filing a not-guilty plea. If the defendant has been in custody throughout the period before trial, the trial should occur within eight months from the arrest or filing of charges, whichever is earlier.

The court rules typically allow a presiding judge to schedule criminal cases based on priority. Priority cases include motions for a speedy trial, cases where the defendant is in custody without bond, or the judge decides that a defendant’s pretrial liberty may pose risks to fair judgment.

What Are The Stages of a Criminal Trial in Connecticut?

The following are the steps involved in a criminal trial in Connecticut:

• The selection of the jury by the prosecuting and defense counsel
• Opening statements by the prosecuting attorney and defense counsel
• Presentation of evidence
• Invitation of witnesses to testify
• Cross-examination of witnesses
• Closing arguments

How Long Does It Take For a Case to Go to Trial in Connecticut?

According to Connecticut statutes, it takes a maximum of 12 months from the filing of charges or arrest, whichever is earlier. Persons in incarceration throughout the pretrial phase generally have the advantage of a shorter waiting time of 8 months. If there is no reason for the court not to set a trial date within 13 months of filing charges or arrests, the court dismisses such cases.

What Happens When a Court Case Goes to Trial in Connecticut?

The Criminal Justice Process in Connecticut comprises a pretrial, major trial, and post-trial phases. The pretrial process entails everything that prepares both parties for a criminal trial or decides against going to trial. A not-guilty plea usually precedes the trial preparation. Both parties use the pretrial phase to gather evidence in support of their case. A decision against going to trial may be because:

• The defendant entered a guilty plea bargain
• The prosecutor files a motion to dismiss the charges

Many cases get closure at this point and never proceed to a trial

Criminal trials may be conducted as bench trials or jury trials. The court often elects bench trials for misdemeanors. Jury trials are, however, compulsory features of felony offenses. Post-trial activities represent all that transpires after the court holds the trial. These activities include sentencing hearings, court sentences, appeals, and filings for review.

What Does it Mean to be Indicted in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, an indictment is a formal written accusation issued by a grand jury after it has found that there is enough evidence for prosecutors to bring formal charges against a felony suspect. While prosecutors may directly file charges by complaint or information, indictments are generally used for more serious offenses. An indictment requires a panel of 18 grand jurors who hear evidence in secret. At least 12 jurors must vote in favor for the indictment to be returned.

Historically, grand jury indictments were required for capital or life-sentence crimes, but a 1983 statute now allows most felony charges to be brought by a prosecutor’s information instead. If an indictment is used, the case then moves to Superior Court for arraignment, where the defendant hears the charges and enters a plea, usually “not guilty”. The indictment itself is not a finding of guilt; it only authorizes the case to move forward to pretrial hearings and, if necessary, trial.

Does Indictment Mean Jail Time in Connecticut?

An indictment does not automatically mean jail. It is simply a formal charge. After indictment and arraignment, a judge sets conditions for release under Connecticut’s bail laws. Many defendants are released on a written promise to appear or on bail while awaiting trial.

Pretrial detention occurs only if bail is denied or unaffordable—for example, in very serious or violent cases or if the court believes the defendant might flee. Jail or prison typically occurs only after a conviction or guilty plea, and even then, a defendant may remain free on bond until sentencing or an appeal under Connecticut law.

In short, an indictment signals that the legal process is moving forward, but it is not a conviction and does not by itself send anyone to jail.

Can You Be Put on Trial Twice for the Same Crime in Connecticut?

No. The Fifth Amendment, known as the Double Jeopardy Clause, prohibits a repeat trial for the same crime. The clause does not include cases where an appellate court orders a retrial to review the case. Additionally, if a trial ends in a hung jury, a retrial may be held. A Hung Jury occurs when the jury cannot reach a verdict. Note that some crimes may warrant concurrent trials at the state and federal levels.

How Do I Look Up a Criminal Court Case in Connecticut?

A criminal case in Connecticut is closed or pending at any point in time. Interested members of the public may visit the superior court of the current jurisdiction to request information on the case, using either the defendant's name or the case ID number. While most criminal cases are open to the public in the state, the law protects certain case information from public disclosure by shielding it ab initio or moving a motion to withdraw the case from public access Case information inaccessible to the public ab initio includes identifying information of the victims involved, eyewitness names and contact addresses, juvenile criminal cases, especially misdemeanors and some drug offenses, and traffic violations. The court may order the sealing of a criminal case that would otherwise be public information. The court bases its motion on discretion or at the request of an involved party. The general rule for discretionary sealing of documents is that if the benefits of privacy outweigh those of public knowledge, especially regarding a fair trial outcome or the safety of the persons involved.

How to Access Electronic Court Records in Connecticut

The Connecticut Judicial Branch maintains an electronic database of convictions and case information, accessible to the public. To access this information, an individual should have a compatible device and an internet connection. The database is updated regularly as the case progresses. Users cannot access confidential information or sealed records on this database. Inquirers may direct their requests to the superior court of the current jurisdiction, along with a court order granting access. All criminal cases under ten are available on the state judiciary website.

Public Connecticut criminal records may also be accessible through third-party websites. These sites may offer the convenience of a statewide database, allowing individuals to perform single or multi-record searches. To search these platforms, users may be required to provide information to facilitate the search, including:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state in which the person resides or was accused of residing.

Since third-party sites are independent of government sources and not sponsored by these agencies, the availability, accuracy, and validity of records may not be guaranteed.

How Do I Remove Public Court Records in Connecticut?

The decision to seal or erase a public record in Connecticut rests with the court that has current jurisdiction. While sealing a public record hides the information, it remains accessible to any eligible requester or person with a valid court order. According to the state constitution, the erasure of public records involves the deletion of all information pertaining to the case. It is as though the involved individual never faced the charge or conviction. Erasure may come easily if:

• The charges never led to a conviction
• An appeal to the higher courts overturned the conviction
• The state issues a pardon to the involved party

Involved persons may file for the erasure of a criminal record. This typically begins by filing with the superior court, which currently has jurisdiction over the Appellate Court Division. However, the decision to erase a record remains the court's prerogative.