Secs. 54-1 and 54-1a. Criminal jurisdiction of trial justices; of Court of Common Pleas. Sections 54-1 and 54-1a are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8721; 1955, S. 3319d; 1957, P.A. 522, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 25, 204; 1961, P.A. 78; 352; 1963, P.A.
177; February, 1965, P.A. 331, S. 35; 1967, P.A. 152, S. 43; 549, S. 8; 630, S. 12; 1971, P.A. 72, S. 15; 870, S. 1; P.A.,
74-183, S. 7, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 515, 681.)
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Sec. 54-1b. Arraignment of prisoner. Advice as to rights. Any accused, when
he is arraigned before the Superior Court, shall be advised by a judge that he has a right
to counsel, that he has a right to refuse to make any statement and that any statement
he makes may be introduced in evidence against him. Each such person shall be allowed
a reasonable opportunity to consult counsel.
(1963, P.A. 126, S. 1; February, 1965, P.A. 185, S. 1; 436, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 549, S. 9; 656, S. 58; 1972, P.A. 69, S. 2;
P.A. 74-183, S. 125, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 516, 681; P.A. 80-313, S. 27.)
History: 1965 acts provided bond would cover appearance in court to which accused was bound over, allowed judge
to release accused on his own recognizance and added provision setting forth exceptions to requirement re presentment
of accused to first session of court; 1967 acts substituted criminal "term" for criminal "session" and, effective October 1,
1968, provided accused be advised of his rights at his arraignment rather than when he is put to plea, provided alternatives
to bail and added concept of incapacity in provision re exceptions to requirement for presentment of accused at first session;
1972 act added Subdiv. (4) in exception to requirement that accused be presented at first session re persons accused of
misdemeanor or offenses with lesser penalties as specified; P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court with court of common pleas,
reflecting reorganization of judicial system and deleted provision first added in 1965 and amended in 1967 and 1972 re
exceptions to requirement for presentment at first session of court, effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 76-436 replaced
court of common pleas with superior court, reflecting transfer of all trial jurisdiction to superior court and specified that
accused persons who are not released on bond or on their written promise to appear are to be committed to commissioner
of correction until next criminal term of court or until discharged, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 80-313 deleted provisions
detailing conditions of release on bond or promise to appear.
See Sec. 51-296 re designation of public defender for indigent defendant or codefendant.
See Sec. 54-1j re court advice re possible immigration and naturalization ramifications of guilty or nolo contendere plea.
See Sec. 54-94a re conditional plea of nolo contendere.
Prior to this act held that neither failure to warn defendant of his constitutional rights nor his lack of counsel required
conclusion that his confession was involuntary. 150 C. 169. Cited. 154 C. 314, 324. Presentation before circuit court session
next held in circuit where offense is alleged to have been committed means the regular session of the circuit court next to
be held, excluding any session on day of arrest. 155 C. 134. Right to counsel not denied where defendant made no request
for same even though defendant's attorneys, during period from his arrest to his arraignment, made repeated unsuccessful
efforts to communicate with him. Id., 155. Defendant was warned of his rights prior to his plea being offered but not prior
to conversation with his daughter in police barracks wherein he admitted he was guilty of crimes charged. 157 C. 25. Cited.
164 C. 402. Admission into evidence of custodial statements not violation of this section. 167 C. 408. Cited. 187 C. 6.
Cited. 195 C. 505. Cited. 198 C. 517. Cited. 201 C. 489. Cited. 236 C. 388.
Cited. 34 CA 261. Cited. 43 CA 209.
Cited. 39 CS 347.
Cited. 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 573. Compliance by the state with the requirements of this section in no way adversely affected
the defendant's right to claim that his rights were violated because the court refused to appoint counsel to represent him.
3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 624, 630. Motion to dismiss on ground constitutional right to counsel had been violated should be made
prior to not guilty plea. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 166. Court could conclude from statements and conduct of defendant that he had
effectively waived his rights. Id., 168. On-the-scene questioning of person in investigation of crime without prior warning
not precluded since such person is not under restraint. Id., 195. Purpose and necessity of arraignment or presentment of
accused are to fix his identity, inform him of his constitutional rights and charge against him and give him an opportunity
to plead. Id., 466. Before arraignment there is no issue pending to which accused can plead and entry of nolle prosequi
before arraignment is not a final judgment from which an appeal lies. Id. Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 35, 40; Id., 243. Collective
statement of their rights to group of accused may be sufficient compliance with section but not as to defendants with
linguistic difficulties or below average intelligence. Id., 178. Defendant waived his right to counsel where he had, for six
months, obtained postponements on this ground. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 58.
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Sec. 54-1c. Admissibility of confession. Any admission, confession or statement,
written or oral, obtained from an accused person who has not been presented to the first
session of the court, or on the day specified for arraignment under the provisions of
section 54-1g, or who has not been informed of such person's rights as provided by
section 54-1b or 54-64b, shall be inadmissible.
(1963, P.A. 126, S. 3; February, 1965, P.A. 436, S. 2; P.A. 76-336, S. 2; P.A. 80-313, S. 28; P.A. 03-19, S. 127.)
History: 1965 act added "or on the day specified in ... section 54-1b"; P.A. 76-336 substituted day "for arraignment
under the provisions of section 54-63c" for day specified "in subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of section 54-1b"; P.A. 80-313
added reference to Sec. 54-64b and substituted reference to Sec. 54-1g for reference to Sec. 54-63c; P.A. 03-19 made
technical changes, effective May 12, 2003.
See note to Sec. 54-1b.
Proof of voluntariness of confession prerequisite to its admissibility if made during illegal detention. 151 C. 246. See
371 U.S. 471. Cited. 154 C. 314, 321; 155 C. 124, 133. Confession inadmissible as defendant was not advised he could
have a lawyer's services prior to interrogation and that he had right to stop answering questions at any time. 157 C. 384.
Cited. 164 C. 402. Admission into evidence of custodial statements not violation of this section. 167 C. 408. Cited. 187
C. 6. Exclusionary effects of this statute do not apply to violations of Sec. 54-63c. 195 C. 505. Cited. 236 C. 388. Cited.
240 C. 205.
Cited. 11 CA 238. Cited. 37 CA 252, 256; judgment reversed, see 236 C. 388. Cited. 43 CA 209. Cited. 44 CA 162.
Cited. 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 573. Cited. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 346. Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 35, 40.
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Sec. 54-1d. Place of arraignment. Multiple arrest warrants. Multiple credit
card and automated teller machine offenses. Identity theft and related offenses.
(a) For the purposes of this section, "geographical area" means the geographical area
of the Superior Court established pursuant to section 51-348.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, defendants in criminal actions shall be presented for arraignment to:
(1) The court in the geographical area in which the crime was alleged to have been
committed;
(2) If the arrest was by warrant, the court in the geographical area in which the crime
was alleged to have been committed or in which the arrest was made; or
(3) If the arrest was by a warrant issued pursuant to section 53a-32 or for failure to
appear as provided in section 53a-172 or 53a-173, the court in the geographical area in
which the crime was alleged to have been committed or in which the arrest was made,
or the superior court having jurisdiction over the underlying criminal prosecution.
(c) If the defendant was presented to the court in the geographical area in which
the arrest was made for arraignment and was not released from custody after such arraignment, the defendant shall be presented to the court in the geographical area in
which the crime was alleged to have been committed not later than the second court
day following such arraignment. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section,
any defendant who has been presented to the court in accordance with this section and
is the subject of one or more additional arrest warrants issued for crimes that were alleged
to have been committed in one or more geographical areas, other than the geographical
area in which the defendant is initially presented, shall subsequently be presented to
the court in each geographical area in which such crimes were alleged to have been
committed, in such order as the courts may determine, not later than the second court
day following the prior arraignment. A criminal cause shall not fail on the ground that
it has been submitted to a session of improper venue.
(d) Any defendant who is charged with multiple offenses under any provision of
section 53a-127b or sections 53a-128a to 53a-128i, inclusive, where such offenses were
alleged to have been committed in more than one geographical area, may be presented
to the court in any one of such geographical areas. The court may consolidate all such
offenses into a single criminal action and shall have jurisdiction over such action.
(e) Any defendant who is charged with a violation of section 53a-129a of the general
statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2003, or section 53a-129b, 53a-129c or
53a-129d and any defendant who is charged with any other offense committed as a
result of such violation may be presented to the court in the geographical area in which
the person whose personal identifying information has been obtained and used by the
defendant resides.
(P.A. 74-183, S. 206, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 517, 681; P.A. 80-313, S. 29; P.A. 95-105; P.A. 98-45; P.A. 03-156, S. 8;
P.A. 05-152, S. 7; P.A. 06-152, S. 14.)
History: P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court, reflecting transfer of all trial jurisdiction to
superior court and substituted reference to Sec. 51-348 for reference to Sec. 51-156a, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 80-313
deleted specific reference to superior court and rephrased protection for criminal causes submitted to session of improper
venue; P.A. 95-105 authorized the defendant to be brought to the court in the geographical area in which the arrest was
made for arraignment if the arrest was by warrant and added provision that if the defendant was brought to such court for
arraignment and not released from custody, the defendant shall be presented to the court in the geographical area in which
the crime was alleged to have been committed not later than the second court day following such arraignment; P.A. 98-45 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), added exception language and added new Subsec. (b) re consolidation
of credit card and automated teller machine fraud offenses; P.A. 03-156 amended Subsec. (a) to add exception re Subsec.
(c) and added new Subsec. (c) re place of presentment of defendant charged with identity theft or any other offense
committed as a result of such violation; P.A. 05-152 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re arraignment at superior
court having jurisdiction over underlying criminal prosecution if defendant is arrested on warrant issued pursuant to Sec.
53a-32 or for failure to appear as provided in Sec. 53a-172 or 53a-173 and by making technical changes; P.A. 06-152
added new Subsec. (a) defining "geographical area", divided existing Subsec. (a) into new Subsecs. (b)(1), (2) and (3) and
(c) and made technical and conforming changes therein, inserted "in which the crime was alleged to have been committed
or" in said Subsec. (b)(2), inserted "the court in the geographical area in which the crime was alleged to have been committed
or in which the arrest was made, or" in said Subsec. (b)(3), added provision re presentment of defendant who is the subject
of additional arrest warrants in said Subsec. (c), redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (d) and made a conforming
change therein, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (e), effective June 6, 2006.
Cited. 187 C. 264.
Cited. 39 CS 347.
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Sec. 54-1e. Election of place of trial when venue is in the geographical area of
Derby, Ansonia, Shelton, and Seymour. Section 54-1e is repealed.
(P.A. 75-578, S. 5; P.A. 76-436, S. 582, 681.)
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Sec. 54-1f. (Formerly Sec. 6-49). Arrest without warrant. Pursuit outside precincts. (a) For purposes of this section, the respective precinct or jurisdiction of a state
marshal or judicial marshal shall be wherever such marshal is required to perform duties.
Peace officers, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 53a-3, in their respective precincts, shall arrest, without previous complaint and warrant, any person for any offense
in their jurisdiction, when the person is taken or apprehended in the act or on the speedy
information of others, provided that no constable elected pursuant to the provisions of
section 9-200 shall be considered a peace officer for the purposes of this subsection,
unless the town in which such constable holds office provides, by ordinance, that constables shall be considered peace officers for the purposes of this subsection.
(b) Members of the Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety
or of any local police department or any chief inspector or inspector in the Division of
Criminal Justice shall arrest, without previous complaint and warrant, any person who
the officer has reasonable grounds to believe has committed or is committing a felony.
(c) Members of any local police department or the Office of State Capitol Police
and constables and state marshals who are certified under the provisions of sections 7-294a to 7-294e, inclusive, and who perform criminal law enforcement duties, when in
immediate pursuit of one who may be arrested under the provisions of this section, are
authorized to pursue the offender outside of their respective precincts into any part of
the state in order to effect the arrest. Such person may then be returned in the custody
of such officer to the precinct in which the offense was committed.
(d) Any person arrested pursuant to this section shall be presented with reasonable
promptness before proper authority.
(1949 Rev., S. 465; 1953, S. 195d; 1961, P.A. 239; 1971, P.A. 754; P.A. 75-567, S. 69, 80; P.A. 76-111, S. 3; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 610; P.A. 80-313, S. 1; 80-394, S. 7, 13; P.A. 81-472, S. 93, 159; P.A. 83-518, S. 2; P.A. 84-302, S. 2; P.A.
89-129, S. 1, 2; P.A. 96-219, S. 10; P.A. 00-99, S. 6, 154; P.A. 01-195, S. 70, 181.)
History: 1961 act added provision authorizing members of local police departments to pursue suspects beyond their
precincts and return suspects, when caught to precinct where offense was committed; 1971 act deleted the word "organized"
as qualifier of references to local police departments; P.A. 75-567 substituted detectives in the division of criminal justice
for county detectives; P.A. 76-111 replaced detectives with chief inspectors and inspectors of criminal justice division;
P.A. 77-614 made state police department a division within the department of public safety, effective January 1, 1979;
Sec. 6-49 transferred to Sec. 54-1f in 1979; P.A. 80-313 divided section into Subsecs. and substituted references to peace
officers for detailed listing of persons to which provisions apply, i.e. sheriffs, inspectors, constables, etc.; P.A. 80-394
specified applicability to sheriffs, deputy sheriffs and special deputy sheriffs, adding provision re precinct or jurisdiction
of deputies and special deputies; P.A. 81-472 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to special deputy sheriffs since such
sheriffs are included in definition of peace officers; P.A. 83-518 amended Subsec. (a) providing that constables shall not
be considered peace officers for purposes of Subsec. (a) unless town ordinance so provides; P.A. 84-302 permitted certified
constables who perform criminal law enforcement duties to pursue offenders outside of their precincts; P.A. 89-129
amended provision in Subsec. (c) authorizing pursuit outside of precinct to include members of the office of state capitol
security; P.A. 96-219 amended Subsec. (c) by changing the name of the "Office of State Capitol Security" to the "Office
of State Capitol Police"; P.A. 00-99 amended Subsec. (a) by changing reference to deputy or special deputy sheriff to state
marshal or judicial marshal and amended Subsec. (c) by deleting reference to sheriffs, deputy sheriffs and special deputy
sheriffs and adding reference to state marshals, effective December 1, 2000; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes for
purposes of gender neutrality in Subsec. (a), effective July 11, 2001.
See Sec. 6-43 re special deputies.
Annotations to former section 6-49:
Facts held insufficient to authorize arrest without warrant. 37 C. 32. Arrest being lawful, officer is presumed to have
performed all subsequent duties. 51 C. 432-434. Extends common law rule. 84 C. 167. Owner of goods stolen or any other
person may retake them and tender thief to justice. 97 C. 137. Thief resisting capture is guilty of breach of the peace and
may be arrested by anyone. Id., 138. Right of police to arrest for offenses in their presence and to seize implements used
in lawbreaking. Id., 545. When officer must act on his own knowledge. Id., 701. Facts held sufficient to authorize arrest
without warrant. 101 C. 229. Any arrest without a warrant, except as authorized by this statute, is illegal. 115 C. 282. Police
officers while off duty or out of uniform are included within the coverage of this section. 120 C. 101. Speedy information
which justifies arrest is information that person arrested was guilty of crime or at least implicated in it. 131 C. 224. Officer
may act on speedy information if he has reasonable ground to accept it as accurate. Id., 231. Fact defendant not taken
before proper magistrate not sufficient to exclude confession. 137 C. 183. Cited. 147 C. 194. Intention of officer in pursuing
person admissible as a fact to be weighed with other circumstances. 148 C. 27. An accused is lawfully taken or apprehended
in the act if circumstances observed by officer preceding the arrest, viewed in light of common knowledge and his own
training and experience, gave him probable cause to believe that a crime was being, or had just been, committed. Evidence
seized cannot be used to sustain validity of arrest. 149 C. 567. Illegal arrest and detention does not automatically render
inadmissible confessions made after the arrest or during the period of detention. 150 C. 169. Officer entitled to exert force
where grounds for "reasonable belief" are present. 151 C. 402. Person need not submit to unlawful arrest. 152 C. 296. In
determining the validity of an arrest made without a warrant, "reasonable grounds" is to be equated with probable cause.
153 C. 41. Probable cause exists when the arresting officer has reasonably trustworthy information sufficient to believe a
felony had been committed by the accused. Id., 42. Arrest made on strength of officer's own observation would be legal
only if the circumstances he observed, when taken in connection with those before observed by him when weighed in the
light of common knowledge, gave him probable reason or ground to believe that such a crime was being, or was about to
be, committed. Id., 69, 70. Accused is lawfully taken or apprehended in the act if the circumstances observed by the arresting
officer, viewed in light of common knowledge and his own training and experience, gave him probable cause to believe
a crime was being, or had just been, committed. Amount of evidence necessary to furnish probable cause for an arrest
without a warrant is to be measured by facts of particular case and need not be evidence sufficient to convict. Id., 152. A
reasonable search incident to a lawful arrest is not unlawful even though made without a warrant. A lawful entry is
necessarily an essential element of a reasonable search of a dwelling. Id. A police officer may make a reasonable search
before or after an arrest without a warrant if the circumstances justified the arrest and the search was incidental to the
arrest. Id., 154. Where larceny which constituted a misdemeanor was committed in New London and defendants were
apprehended in Hartford by Hartford police, held that, since larceny is a continuing crime, the defendants, if transportation
of the merchandise was with a continuous felonious intent, were committing larceny in Hartford and defendants' claim
that arrest or search without a warrant was illegal must fail. Id., 217, 218. Member of an organized local police department
is authorized to arrest, without previous complaint and warrant, any person who officer has reasonable grounds to believe
has committed or is committing a felony and may conduct a search incident thereto without a warrant. 155 C. 385. A legal
arrest may be made without a warrant when defendant was apprehended just after his sale of drugs to an informer under
police surveillance of the transaction and his person could be searched incidentally to such arrest. Id., 516. Police lieutenant's
arrest of defendant on speedy information was clearly justifiable when defendant was sitting armed in his car at night with
narcotics on his person. 157 C. 114. Arrest for misdemeanor of breach of the peace on speedy information of others by
police was proper. Search of car in which defendant was sitting made without warrant was lawful. Id., 222. Arrest of
defendant for assault committed in officer's presence was lawful and search of trunk of defendant's car was lawful incident
to the arrest. Id., 351. Officer's arresting defendant for disorderly conduct was proper and search incidental thereto of
person was legal. Id., 485. Arrest of defendant operating stolen car could be made without warrant on grounds that he was
apprehended in act and upon speedy information where arresting officer had been informed by police barracks car was a
stolen car. 159 C. 201. Arrest permitted without warrant when person is "taken or apprehended in the act" if preceding
arrest, circumstances in light of officers training and experience gave him probable cause for such arrest. 160 C. 140. An
informant's tip as to description and location of criminal suspect and his truck having proved true was justifiable basis for
arrest under statute. 161 C. 117. Cited. 163 C. 186. Felony provision cited. 171 C. 105. Cited. 174 C. 153; Id., 452. Cited.
178 C. 427. Cited. 183 C. 386. Cited. 220 C. 307.
Cited. 22 CS 6. An arrest by a police officer without a warrant is ground for an action for false imprisonment unless
the arrest is authorized by this section. Id., 311. Cited. 24 CS 32. Where offenses committed by defendant and with which
he is charged occurred within the hour prior to his arrest, officer acted speedily on information he had obtained. 25 CS
108. If search is incident to arrest, no warrant is needed. Id., 216. Discussion of facts which constitute acting on speedy
information or on reasonable belief that a felony has been committed or is being committed. 26 CS 297. No need for
issuance of warrant for seizure of articles which are taken incidental to lawful arrest. Id. Cited. 28 CS 313. "Speedy
information" requirement was in derogation of common law re felonies; additional clause re felonies, added in 1945, is
declaratory of common law. 34 CS 531. Modern trend prohibits warrantless entry to home to make an arrest unless there
are exigent circumstances. Id., 539.
Arrest made hour after officer saw crime committed satisfied requirement of acting on "speedy information". 2 Conn.
Cir. Ct. 247. Cited. Id., 467. Arrest without a warrant not unlawful merely because pursuit of defendant by Orange police
officer was interrupted when defendant temporarily succeeded in eluding officer. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 42. Arrest made without
warrant on "speedy information" of informer who purchased liquor sold by defendant illegally, made within half hour
after sale, held lawful. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 125. Cited. Id., 533. Officers would have been justified in arresting defendants for
bookmaking when telephone calls and other evidence of their illegal activity occurred in presence of officers who had
entered house with search warrant, even if warrant had been illegal. Id., 603. Acting on speedy information defendant was
committing crime of lascivious carriage, police officers rightfully entered her apartment building and observed her conduct
from fire escape of apartment. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 35. Police officers investigating a crime on speedy information who enter
a building are licensees. Id. Statute provides a less strict standard for arrests without a warrant for felonies provided they
are made by members of an organized local police department. Id., 44, 50. Defendant's arrest by police officer who observed
him in telephone booth, taking house bets on slips of paper officer could read, was properly made without warrant and
reasonable search could be made on such arrest. Id., 51. Member of Derby police department was justified in arrest of
defendant without warrant where New Haven police requested his arrest as one involved in felonious larceny in their
jurisdiction. Id., 529. Defendant in resisting an unlawful arrest was not guilty of breach of the peace. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 42.
Arrest by Trumbull officer of defendant as he drew up to his home in Bridgeport two hours after he had violated hit and
run statute in Trumbull was valid as an arrest in immediate pursuit outside Trumbull precinct. Id., 55. Facts held sufficient
to authorize arrest without warrant. Id., 228, 235, 236. Cited. Id., 613. Taken or apprehended defined. Id., 618.
Annotations to present section:
Cited. 179 C. 46. Cited. 180 C. 481. Cited. 181 C. 172. As a matter of constitutional law where entry of dwelling is for
purpose of conducting search under a valid search warrant, resident may be arrested under statute where police have probable
cause to believe he committed a felony; arrest does not constitute violation of fourth amendment to U.S. Constitution. Id.,
187. Cited. 188 C. 432, 442. Cited. 200 C. 82. Cited. 215 C. 667. Cited. 216 C. 172. Cited. 225 C. 921. Cited. 227 C. 363.
Violation of Sec. 14-227a is an "offense" within meaning of this section. 228 C 758. Cited. 229 C. 125. Cited. 240 C. 489.
Cited. 15 CA 416. Cited. 20 CA 183. Cited. 23 CA 123; Id., 487. Cited. 27 CA 370; Id., 741. Cited. 29 CA 207. Cited.
30 CA 108. Cited. 31 CA 669. Cited. 33 CA 590. Cited. 34 CA 189; Id., 201. Cited. 46 CA 633. Where prior felony
conviction formed basis of a charge under this section, violation of section could not be established without presenting
proof of such conviction. 64 CA 384. Does not prohibit "Terry" stops by extraterritorial police officers; rather, it prohibits
full custodial arrests by extraterritorial police officers. 70 CA 297.
Cited. 38 CS 313.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 191 C. 433. Cited. 210 C. 333. Cited. 224 C. 494. Cited. 227 C. 534. Cited. 228 C. 758.
Cited. 6 CA 124. Cited. 11 CA 11. Cited. 21 CA 326. Cited. 26 CA 481; judgment reversed, see 224 C. 494; Id., 805.
Cited. 28 CA 708. Cited. 41 CA 779.
"Speedy information of others" does not preclude reliance on supplementary observations made by the officer. 37 CS
755. Officer's entry into apartment was lawful and in full compliance with the statute. Arrest was made on the speedy
information of others. Properly conducted search incidental to lawful arrest is not illegal even though made without a
warrant. 38 CS 313. Cited. Id., 364. Cited. 39 CS 347. Cited. 40 CS 512.
Subsec. (b):
Cited. 183 C. 386. Cited. 189 C. 429. Cited. 195 C. 505. Cited. 220 C. 307. Cited. 236 C. 216. Cited. 248 C. 183.
Cited. 6 CA 124. Cited. 11 CA 11. Cited. 13 CA 69; Id., 214. Cited. 14 CA 388. Cited. 15 CA 569. Cited. 18 CA 184.
Cited. 20 CA 168; judgment reversed, see 215 C. 667; Id., 521. Cited. 26 CA 481; judgment reversed, see 224 C. 494.
Cited. 27 CA 128. Cited. 31 CA 548. Cited. 39 CA 579. Where probable cause for warrantless arrest was established using
Aguilar-Spinelli factors, trial court improperly introduced second level of review under "totality of the circumstances"
analysis. 47 CA 424. Phrase "reasonable grounds to believe" is synonymous with probable cause. 59 CA 272. Warrantless
arrest based on probable cause was authorized under subsection. 74 CA 802. "Reasonable grounds" as used in the statute
is synonymous with probable cause. 78 CA 659.
Subsec. (c):
Appellate Court, in affirming defendant's conviction for operating motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, rejected defendant's argument that there can only be "immediate pursuit" for purposes of subsec. when there
are findings that arresting officer personally observed illegal conduct and then followed suspect across jurisdictional
boundaries. 88 CA 110.
Cited. 37 CS 755.
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Sec. 54-1g*. Time of arraignment. Violations of protective orders. (a) Any arrested person who is not released sooner or who is charged with a family violence crime
as defined in section 46b-38a or a violation of section 53a-181c, 53a-181d or 53a-181e
shall be promptly presented before the superior court sitting next regularly for the geographical area where the offense is alleged to have been committed. If an arrested person
is hospitalized, or has escaped or is otherwise incapacitated, the person shall be presented, if practicable, to the first regular sitting after return to police custody.
(b) Any arrested person who is charged with a violation of section 53a-223 shall
be promptly presented to the superior court next sitting for the geographical area where
the offense is alleged to have been committed. If the alleged offense was committed in
a geographical area of the Superior Court other than the geographical area where the
protective order was issued, the prosecutorial official for the geographical area of the
Superior Court where the alleged offense was committed shall notify the prosecutorial
official for the geographical area where the protective order was issued of the alleged
violation of such protective order. On motion of any party or the court, the prosecution
of such offense may be transferred to the superior court for the geographical area where
the protective order was issued.
(P.A. 80-313, S. 26; P.A. 86-337, S. 10; P.A. 91-381, S. 5, 7; P.A. 93-75; P.A. 95-214, S. 2.)
*Note: This section was formerly Sec. 54-63c(e). See Sec. 54-63c History re P.A. 80-313.
History: P.A. 86-337 applied provisions to persons charged with a family violence crime as defined in Sec. 46b-38a;
P.A. 91-381 added new Subsec. (b) re prompt presentment of arrested person charged with violation of Sec. 53a-110b to
superior court where protective order was issued; P.A. 93-75 amended Subsec. (b) by adding procedure for determining
geographic area of the superior court where person arrested for violation of protective order shall be prosecuted; P.A. 95-214 amended Subsec. (a) to include persons charged with "a violation of section 53a-181c, 53a-181d or 53a-181e".
Cited. 236 C. 388. Cited. 243 C. 205.
Cited. 11 CA 238. Cited. 43 CA 209. Cited. 44 CA 162.
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Sec. 54-1h. (Formerly Sec. 6-49a). Arrest by complaint and summons for commission of misdemeanor. Any person who has been arrested with or without a warrant
for commission of a misdemeanor, or for an offense the penalty for which is imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or both,
may, in the discretion of the arresting officer, be issued a written complaint and summons
and be released on his written promise to appear on a date and time specified. If any
person so arrested and summoned fails to appear for trial at the place and time so specified, or on any court date thereafter, a warrant for his rearrest or a capias shall be issued
and he shall also be subject to the provisions of section 53a-173.
(1972, P.A. 69, S. 1; P.A. 84-123, S. 1.)
History: Sec. 6-49a transferred to Sec. 54-1h in 1981; P.A. 84-123 added "or on any court date thereafter" and authorized
issuance of a capias for person who fails to appear.
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Sec. 54-1i. (Formerly Sec. 54-40a). Duty of law enforcement officer before
charging with a crime a person found in unconscious condition. (a) All law enforcement officers in this state shall make a diligent effort to determine if any person they
find in a semiconscious or unconscious condition is wearing an identification bracelet
or metal tag, or is carrying an identification card, bearing such person's name and any
of the following information: A statement of an illness, such as epilepsy, diabetes or a
cardiac condition, which might cause semiconsciousness or unconsciousness, a physician's name or identification of a medication, before such person may be charged with
a crime. If any law enforcement officer shall determine that such a person is actually
suffering from an affliction which would cause semiconsciousness or unconsciousness,
he shall notify such person's physician immediately or have such person immediately
transported to a physician or to some facility where the services of a physician are
available.
(b) Any person who wilfully and knowingly falsifies such identification or deliberately misrepresents such an illness shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
(P.A. 73-202, S. 1, 2.)
History: Sec. 54-40a transferred to Sec. 54-1i in 1981.
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Sec. 54-1j. Ascertainment that defendant understands possible immigration
and naturalization consequences of guilty or nolo contendere plea. (a) The court
shall not accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from any defendant in any criminal
proceeding unless the court first addresses the defendant personally and determines that
the defendant fully understands that if the defendant is not a citizen of the United States,
conviction of the offense for which the defendant has been charged may have the consequences of deportation or removal from the United States, exclusion from readmission
to the United States or denial of naturalization, pursuant to the laws of the United States.
If the defendant has not discussed these possible consequences with the defendant's
attorney, the court shall permit the defendant to do so prior to accepting the defendant's plea.
(b) The defendant shall not be required at the time of the plea to disclose the defendant's legal status in the United States to the court.
(c) If the court fails to address the defendant personally and determine that the
defendant fully understands the possible consequences of the defendant's plea, as required in subsection (a) of this section, and the defendant not later than three years after
the acceptance of the plea shows that the defendant's plea and conviction may have one
of the enumerated consequences, the court, on the defendant's motion, shall vacate the
judgment, and permit the defendant to withdraw the plea of guilty or nolo contendere,
and enter a plea of not guilty.
(P.A. 82-177; P.A. 97-256, S. 6; P.A. 03-81, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 97-256 amended Subsec. (c) by imposing a three-year time period after the acceptance of the plea for the
defendant to show that his plea and conviction may have one of the enumerated consequences, and deleting provision that,
in the absence of a record that the court provided the required advice, the defendant is presumed not to have received such
advice; P.A. 03-81 amended Subsec. (a) to replace former provision prohibiting the court accepting plea unless the court
"advises" the defendant of the possible immigration or naturalization consequences of conviction if the defendant is not
a citizen and setting forth specific language of such advisement with provision that prohibits the court accepting plea
unless the court first addresses the defendant personally and determines that the defendant fully understands such possible
consequences, add "removal" from the United States as a possible consequence and add provision requiring the court to
permit the defendant to discuss these possible consequences with the defendant's attorney prior to accepting plea, amended
Subsec. (b) to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality and amended Subsec. (c) to make provisions
applicable if court fails "to address the defendant personally and determine that the defendant fully understands the possible
consequences of the defendant's plea, as required in subsection (a) of this section" rather than if court fails "to advise a
defendant, as required in subsection (a) of this section" and make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality.
Court found that the time limit for filing motion was procedural in nature and therefore could be applied retroactively.
251 C. 617. Warning of deportation and denial was substantial compliance with provisions of statute since defendant was
warned guilty plea implicates immigration status. 257 C. 653.
Court need only inform defendant of potential deportation consequences rather than engaging defendant in a manner
to ensure full understanding. 62 CA 805. Section is in place only to call defendant's attention to potential immigration
consequences under federal law, not to inform defendant of every possible consequence of a plea. 68 CA 499.
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Sec. 54-1k. Issuance of protective orders in cases of stalking, harassment, sexual assault, risk of injury to or impairing morals of a child. (a) Upon the arrest of a
person for a violation of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21, section
53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or any attempt thereof,
or section 53a-181c, 53a-181d or 53a-181e, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to this section. Upon the arrest of a person for a violation of section 53a-182b or
53a-183, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to this section if it finds that
such violation caused the victim to reasonably fear for his or her physical safety. Such
order shall be an order of the court, and the clerk of the court shall cause a certified copy
of such order to be sent to the victim, and a copy of such order, or the information
contained in such order, to be sent by facsimile or other means within forty-eight hours
of its issuance to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
(b) A protective order issued under this section may include provisions necessary
to protect the victim from threats, harassment, injury or intimidation by the defendant,
including but not limited to, an order enjoining the defendant from (1) imposing any
restraint upon the person or liberty of the victim, (2) threatening, harassing, assaulting,
molesting or sexually assaulting the victim, or (3) entering the dwelling of the victim.
A protective order issued under this section may include provisions necessary to protect
any animal owned or kept by the victim including, but not limited to, an order enjoining
the defendant from injuring or threatening to injure such animal. Such order shall be
made a condition of the bail or release of the defendant and shall contain the following
language: "In accordance with section 53a-223 of the Connecticut general statutes, any
violation of this order constitutes criminal violation of a protective order which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than five years, a fine of not more than
five thousand dollars, or both. Additionally, in accordance with section 53a-107 of the
Connecticut general statutes, entering or remaining in a building or any other premises
in violation of this order constitutes criminal trespass in the first degree which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than two
thousand dollars, or both. Violation of this order also violates a condition of your bail
or release and may result in raising the amount of bail or revoking release."
(c) The information contained in and concerning the issuance of any protective order
issued under this section shall be entered in the registry of protective orders pursuant to
section 51-5c.
(P.A. 95-214, S. 3; P.A. 02-132, S. 56; P.A. 05-147, S. 1; 05-288, S. 183; P.A. 07-78, S. 3; P.A. 08-84. S. 1.)
History: P.A. 02-132 replaced provisions re sending certified copy of order to law enforcement agency with provisions
re sending copy of or information contained in order to law enforcement agency by facsimile or other means, replaced
provisions re entry of protective orders in registry established under Sec. 46b-38c(e) with provisions re entry of information
into registry of protective orders pursuant to Sec. 51-5c and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2003; P.A. 05-147 authorized the issuance of a protective order upon the arrest of a person for a violation of Sec. 53a-182b or 53a-183
if the violation caused the victim to reasonably fear for his or her physical safety and revised the language of the order to
make technical changes and specify that a violation of Sec. 53a-223 is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more
than five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both, reflecting the increase in the penalty for said violation made by
P.A. 02-127; P.A. 05-288 made technical changes and revised required language in order re penalty for criminal violation
of a protective order, effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 07-78 added provision re authority of protective order to include
provisions necessary to protect any animal owned or kept by the victim; P.A. 08-84 inserted Subsec. designators (a), (b)
and (c), and amended Subsec. (a) to reference Secs. 53-21(a)(1) or (2), 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or any attempt thereof.
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Sec. 54-1l. Short title: Alvin W. Penn Racial Profiling Prohibition Act. (a) This
section and section 54-1m shall be known as the "Alvin W. Penn Racial Profiling Prohibition Act".
(b) For the purposes of this section, "racial profiling" means the detention, interdiction or other disparate treatment of an individual solely on the basis of the racial or
ethnic status of such individual.
(c) No member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Public
Safety, a municipal police department or any other law enforcement agency shall engage
in racial profiling. The detention of an individual based on any noncriminal factor or
combination of noncriminal factors is inconsistent with this policy.
(d) The race or ethnicity of an individual shall not be the sole factor in determining
the existence of probable cause to place in custody or arrest an individual or in constituting a reasonable and articulable suspicion that an offense has been or is being committed
so as to justify the detention of an individual or the investigatory stop of a motor vehicle.
(P.A. 99-198, S. 1; P.A. 03-160, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 03-160 inserted new Subsec. (a) providing that section and Sec. 54-1m shall be known as the "Alvin W.
Penn Racial Profiling Prohibition Act" and redesignated existing Subsecs. (a) to (c) as new Subsecs. (b) to (d), effective
June 26, 2003.
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Sec. 54-1m. Adoption of policy prohibiting certain police actions. Data collection and reporting. (a) Not later than January 1, 2000, each municipal police department
and the Department of Public Safety shall adopt a written policy that prohibits the stopping, detention or search of any person when such action is solely motivated by considerations of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation, and the action would
constitute a violation of the civil rights of the person.
(b) Commencing on January 1, 2000, each municipal police department and the
Department of Public Safety shall, using the form developed and promulgated pursuant
to subsection (h) of this section, record and retain the following information: (1) The
number of persons stopped for traffic violations; (2) characteristics of race, color, ethnicity, gender and age of such persons, provided the identification of such characteristics
shall be based on the observation and perception of the police officer responsible for
reporting the stop and the information shall not be required to be provided by the person
stopped; (3) the nature of the alleged traffic violation that resulted in the stop; (4) whether
a warning or citation was issued, an arrest made or a search conducted as a result of the
stop; and (5) any additional information that such municipal police department or the
Department of Public Safety, as the case may be, deems appropriate, provided such
information does not include any other identifying information about any person stopped
for a traffic violation such as the person's operator's license number, name or address.
(c) Each municipal police department and the Department of Public Safety shall
provide to the Chief State's Attorney and the African-American Affairs Commission
(1) a copy of each complaint received pursuant to this section, and (2) written notification
of the review and disposition of such complaint. No such complaint shall contain any
other identifying information about the complainant such as his or her operator's license
number, name or address.
(d) Any police officer who in good faith records traffic stop information pursuant
to the requirements of this section shall not be held civilly liable for the act of recording
such information unless the officer's conduct was unreasonable or reckless.
(e) If a municipal police department or the Department of Public Safety fails to
comply with the provisions of this section, the Chief State's Attorney may recommend
and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may order an appropriate
penalty in the form of the withholding of state funds from such department or the Department of Public Safety.
(f) On or before October 1, 2000, and annually thereafter, each municipal police
department and the Department of Public Safety shall provide to the Chief State's Attorney and the African-American Affairs Commission, in such form as the Chief State's
Attorney shall prescribe, a summary report of the information recorded pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section.
(g) The African-American Affairs Commission shall review the prevalence and
disposition of traffic stops and complaints reported pursuant to this section. Not later
than January 1, 2004, and annually thereafter, the African-American Affairs Commission shall report to the Governor, the General Assembly and to any other entity said
commission deems appropriate the results of such review, including any recommendations.
(h) Not later than January 1, 2000, the Chief State's Attorney, in conjunction with
the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Attorney General, the Chief Court Administrator, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, the Connecticut Police Chiefs
Association and the Connecticut Coalition of Police and Correctional Officers, shall
develop and promulgate: (1) A form, in both printed and electronic format, to be used
by police officers when making a traffic stop to record the race, color, ethnicity, gender
and age of the operator of the motor vehicle that is stopped, the location of the stop, the
reason for the stop and other information that is required to be recorded pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section; and (2) a form, in both printed and electronic format, to
be used to report complaints pursuant to this section by persons who believe they have
been subjected to a motor vehicle stop by a police officer solely on the basis of their
race, color, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation.
(P.A. 99-198, S. 2, 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 128, 131; P.A. 03-160, S. 1; P.A. 04-27, S. 6; 04-257, S. 83.)
History: (Revisor's note: A reference in Subsec. (f) to "the information recorded pursuant to subsection (d) ... " was
changed editorially by the Revisors to "the information recorded pursuant to subsection (b) ... " for accuracy); June Sp.
Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subsec. (h) to extend the effectiveness of Subsecs. (f) and (g) from January 1, 2002, to January
1, 2003, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-160 amended Subsec. (b)(5) to provide that additional information does not include
any other identifying information about any person stopped for a traffic violation such as his or her operator's license
number, name or address, amended Subsec. (c) to require copy of the complaint and written notification of the review and
disposition of such complaint to be provided to the African-American Affairs Commission and to provide that no such
complaint shall contain any other identifying information about the complainant such as his or her operator's license
number, name or address, amended Subsec. (f) to require that summary report be provided to the African-American Affairs
Commission, amended Subsec. (g) to require the African-American Affairs Commission to review the prevalence and
disposition of traffic stops and complaints and, not later than January 1, 2004, and annually thereafter, to report the results
of such review to the Governor, the General Assembly and any other entity said commission deems appropriate and to
delete references to the Chief State's Attorney, deleted former Subsec. (h) re limited period of effectiveness of Subsecs.
(f) and (g), redesignated existing Subsec. (i) as Subsec. (h) and amended said Subsec. by substituting reference in Subdiv.
(1) to personal identifying information with reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender and age, effective June 26, 2003;
P.A. 04-27 made technical changes, effective April 28, 2004; P.A. 04-257 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective
June 14, 2004.
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Sec. 54-1n. Complaint by victim of identity theft. Law enforcement agency's
responsibilities. Any person who believes that such person's personal identifying information has been obtained and used by another person in violation of section 53a-129a
of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2003, or section 53a-129b, 53a-129c or 53a-129d may file a complaint reporting such alleged violation with
the law enforcement agency for the town in which such person resides. Such law enforcement agency shall accept such complaint, prepare a police report on the matter, provide
the complainant with a copy of such report and investigate such alleged violation and any
other offenses allegedly committed as a result of such violation and shall, if necessary,
coordinate such investigation with any other law enforcement agencies.
(P.A. 03-156, S. 7.)
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Secs. 54-1o and 54-1p. Reserved for future use.
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Sec. 54-1q. Court to advise defendant that guilty or nolo contendere plea may
have consequence of suspension of driver's license. The court shall not accept a plea
of guilty or nolo contendere from a person in a proceeding with respect to a violation
of section 14-110, subsection (b) or (c) of section 14-147, section 14-215, subsection
(a) of section 14-222, subsection (a) or (b) of section 14-224 or section 53a-119b unless
the court advises such person that conviction of the offense for which such person has
been charged may have the consequence of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles suspending such person's motor vehicle operator's license.
(P.A. 03-233, S. 3.)
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Sec. 54-2. Conviction and binding over by trial justice. Section 54-2 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8725; 1957, P.A. 522, S. 2; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 204.)
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Sec. 54-2a. Issuance of bench warrants of arrest, subpoenas, capias and other
criminal process. Release conditions. Service of court process. Entry of warrants
into computer system. (a) In all criminal cases the Superior Court, or any judge thereof,
or any judge trial referee specifically designated by the Chief Justice to exercise the
authority conferred by this section may issue (1) bench warrants of arrest upon application by a prosecutorial official if the court or judge determines that the affidavit accompanying the application shows that there is probable cause to believe that an offense has
been committed and that the person complained against committed it, (2) subpoenas for
witnesses, (3) capias for witnesses and for defendants who violate an order of the court
regarding any court appearance, and (4) all other criminal process; and may administer
justice in all criminal matters.
(b) The court, judge or judge trial referee issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of
the person or persons complained against shall, in cases punishable by death or life
imprisonment, set the conditions of release or indicate that the person or persons named
in the warrant shall not be entitled to bail and may, in all other cases, set the conditions
of release. The conditions of release, if included in the warrant, shall fix the first of the
following conditions which the court, judge or judge trial referee finds necessary to
assure such person's appearance in court: (1) Written promise to appear; (2) execution
of a bond without surety in no greater amount than necessary; or (3) execution of a bond
with surety in no greater amount than necessary.
(c) In lieu of a warrant for the rearrest of any defendant who fails to appear for trial
at the place and time specified or on any court date thereafter the court, judge or judge
trial referee may issue a capias.
(d) All process issued by said court or any judge thereof, or any judge trial referee
shall be served by any proper officer, or an indifferent person when specially directed
to do so, and shall be obeyed by any and all persons and officers to whom the same is
directed or whom it may concern.
(e) Whenever a warrant is issued under this section or section 53a-32, the court,
judge or judge trial referee may cause such warrant to be entered into a central computer
system. Existence of the warrant in the computer system shall constitute prima facie
evidence of the issuance of the warrant. Any person named in the warrant may be arrested
based on the existence of the warrant in the computer system and shall, upon any such
arrest, be given a copy of the warrant.
(1959, P.A. 28, S. 27; February, 1965, P.A. 194, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 10, S. 1; 152, S. 44; 549, S. 10; P.A. 74-183, S. 126,
291; P.A. 76-436, S. 518, 681; P.A. 77-576, S. 38, 65; P.A. 79-216, S. 1; P.A. 80-313, S. 2; P.A. 84-123, S. 2; P.A. 00-209, S. 4; P.A. 01-72, S. 1; P.A. 04-127, S. 8.)
History: 1965 act added authority of judge to issue subpoenas and warrants; 1967 acts deleted language in last sentence
qualifying power of judge as being "when the circuit court is not in session" and, effective October 1, 1968, added provisions
for alternatives to bail; P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court with court of common pleas, effective December 31, 1974; P.A.
76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and deleted references to powers of other unspecified courts
and judges, reflecting transfer of all trial jurisdiction to superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-576 added detailed
provisions re procedure for issuance of bench warrants and clarified provisions with respect to crimes which are not bailable,
effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 79-216 made minor wording changes; P.A. 80-313 divided section into Subsecs., restated
power to issue bench warrants in Subsec. (a) and deleted detailed provisions re procedure re issuance of bench warrants
and arrests made on bench warrant; P.A. 84-123 amended Subsec. (a) by authorizing the issuance of capias for defendants
who violate a court order regarding any court appearance, added a new Subsec. (c) re the issuance of a capias in lieu of a
rearrest warrant, and redesignated former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d); P.A. 00-209 made technical changes and added new
Subsec. (e) authorizing the entry of a rearrest warrant into a central computer system, providing that the existence of the
warrant in the computer system is prima facie evidence of its issuance and authorizing the arrest of a person based on the
existence of the warrant in the computer system; P.A. 01-72 amended Subsec. (a) by adding "or any judge trial referee
specifically designated by the Chief Justice to exercise the authority conferred by this section" and amended Subsecs. (b)
to (e) by adding references to judge trial referee; P.A. 04-127 amended Subsec. (e) by deleting reference to "rearrest"
warrant and adding reference to Sec. 53a-32.
See Sec. 52-56(d) re execution or service of capias in any precinct by state marshal of any precinct.
See Sec. 54-64b re release following arrest on court warrant.
Annotations to former statute: At common law justice might take recognizance for appearance at adjourned sitting. 4
D. 98; 14 C. 209. In action on recognizance to town, claim against town cannot be set off. 45 C. 354. A bond to appear on
adjournment and abide the order of court is not forfeited when principal appears but refuses to give bond on appeal. 51 C.
499. Taking recognizance after adjournment. 77 C. 38. When bond on adjournment should run to state. 85 C. 324. Cited.
110 C. 173. Cited. 224 C. 29. Cited. 229 C. 125.
Service on defendant by exhibiting warrant so he could read it was sufficient compliance with this section. 28 CS 19.
Failure to produce witness who is within reach and who would naturally have been produced permits, but does not
require, inference that evidence of witness would have been unfavorable. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 298. Issuance of warrant upon
application of police officer, whose information concerning defendant's criminal act was based upon New Haven police
reports, was issuance upon probable cause. "Probable cause" is a practical concept and may be based upon hearsay. Id.,
529. Cited. Id., 685.
Annotations to present section:
Cited. 181 C. 562. Cited. 187 C. 292. Cited. 202 C. 443. Cited. 233 C. 403.
Cited. 38 CS 377.
Subsec. (a):
Subdiv. (1) cited. 193 C. 612; 205 C. 298.
Subdiv. (1) cited. 27 CA 307.
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Sec. 54-2b. Transferred to Chapter 960, Sec. 54-56a.
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Sec. 54-2c. Traffic violator need not appear in court, when. Schedule of fines
established. Section 54-2c is repealed.
(1967, P.A. 429; 1969, P.A. 455; 1971, P.A. 436; P.A. 74-183, S. 128, 291; P.A. 75-577, S. 123, 126.)
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Sec. 54-2d. Notation in computer network of actions taken by law enforcement
agency to execute certain warrants. Not later than thirty days after the entry of the
issuance of any rearrest warrant or arrest warrant for a violation of probation into the
paperless rearrest warrant network, the law enforcement agency for the municipality in
which the accused person resides shall, if such network is available and accessible to
such agency, enter a notation in such network of the actions, if any, that have been taken
by such agency to execute the warrant and apprehend the accused person.
(P.A. 06-99, S. 2.)
See Sec. 54-108c re availability on Internet of information on outstanding arrest warrants for probation violations.
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Sec. 54-2e. Issuance of rearrest warrant or capias for failure to appear. Unless
good cause is shown, no court shall issue a rearrest warrant or a capias for failure to
appear as provided in section 53a-173 prior to four o'clock p.m. of the day of the alleged
failure to appear.
(P.A. 07-243, S. 3.)
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Secs. 54-3 and 54-4. Issue of warrant after arrest. Trial justice may issue criminal process to be served anywhere in the state. Sections 54-3 and 54-4 are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8722, 8723; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 204.)
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Sec. 54-5. Transferred to Chapter 960, Sec. 54-56f.
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Secs. 54-6 to 54-12. Criminal jurisdiction of municipal courts. Limit of jurisdiction of municipal courts. Jurisdiction over violations concerning overweight
commercial vehicles. Bonds on adjournment of hearing. Copies of files and records
for Superior Court and state's attorneys on bindover; notice when proceeding
pending on seized property. Appointment of court interpreters in municipal and
trial justice court. Appeal from municipal court or trial justice. Sections 54-6 to
54-12, inclusive, are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 7579, 8726, 8730, 8731, 8733, 8741; 1953, S. 3096d; 1955, S. 3097d; June, 1955, S. 3096d; November,
1955, S. N229; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 138, 204; 1961, P.A. 179; 1963, P.A. 49; 1971, P.A. 321; P.A. 73-116, S. 16; 73-667, S.
1, 2; P.A. 74-183, S. 130, 291; P.A. 76-336, S. 1; 76-436, S. 521, 681.)
See Sec. 47a-23 re notice to quit possession of premises and service of such notice.
See Sec. 54-2a re issuance of bench warrants, subpoenas, capitas and other criminal process.
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Secs. 54-13 and 54-14. Transferred to Chapter 961, Secs. 54-96a and 54-96b, respectively.
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Secs. 54-15 and 54-16. Binding over on probable cause. Jurisdiction of Common Pleas Court on appeals. Sections 54-15 and 54-16 are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8727, 8742; 1949, S. 3320d; November, 1955, S. N230; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 141, 204; 1963, P.A. 642, S. 61.)
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Sec. 54-17. Transferred to Chapter 961, Sec. 54-95a.
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Sec. 54-17a. Presentation in one judicial district for offenses charged in various districts where defendant to plead guilty. When any person is arrested in any
judicial district upon a criminal charge within the jurisdiction of the Superior Court and
any indictment or information is pending against him in the superior court for one or
more other judicial districts, he may, with his consent and that of the state's attorney
for each such judicial district, be presented in the judicial district where the first warrant
served upon him originated for all of the offenses to which he intends to plead guilty.
(1961, P.A. 251; P.A. 73-116, S. 17; 73-667, S. 1, 2; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 4, 127.)
History: P.A. 73-116 added references to judicial districts; P.A. 73-667 changed effective date of P.A. 73-116 from
October 1, 1973, to April 25, 1973; P.A. 78-280 deleted references to counties.
Cited. 25 CS 202.
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Sec. 54-18. Transferred to Chapter 890, Sec. 51-353a.
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Secs. 54-18a to 54-21. Transfer of criminal cases between Superior and Common Pleas Court. Certain cases to be tried at first term. Search when cruelty is
suspected. Search warrants in cases of cruelty to animals. Sections 54-18a to 54-21, inclusive, are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8724, 8745, 8787; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 143; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 70; 1963, P.A. 642, S. 63; 652, S. 10; 1971,
P.A. 590; P.A. 73-116, S. 19; 73-667, S. 1, 2; P.A. 74-183, S. 134, 291; P.A. 76-336, S. 10; 76-436, S. 525, 526, 681.)
See Secs. 53-247 to 53-253, inclusive, re cruelty to animals.
See Sec. 54-33a et seq. re searches, generally.
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Secs. 54-22 to 54-24. Transferred to Chapter 961, Secs. 54-82i to 54-82k, inclusive.
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Secs. 54-25 and 54-26. Release on recognizance. Witnesses in courts of other
states. Sections 54-25 and 54-26 are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8746, 8762; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 147; P.A. 76-336, S. 10; P.A. 80-313, S. 61.)
See Sec. 54-82k for successor provisions.
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Sec. 54-27. Transferred to Chapter 890, Sec. 51-348a.
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Sec. 54-28. Transferred to Chapter 890, Sec. 51-352b.
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Secs. 54-29 to 54-31. Seizure of obscene literature and gambling implements.
Illegal articles and implements to be destroyed. Judges of city courts may act.
Sections 54-29 to 54-31, inclusive, are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8752-8754; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 148, 204; 1963, P.A. 652, S. 10.)
See Sec. 54-33a et seq. re searches, generally.
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Sec. 54-32. Transferred to Chapter 945, Sec. 53-243a.
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Sec. 54-33. Search warrants for gambling and lottery implements. Section 54-33 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8756; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 149; 1963, P.A. 652, S. 10.)
See Sec. 54-33a et seq. re searches, generally.
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Sec. 54-33a. Issuance of search warrant. (a) As used in sections 54-33a to 54-33g, inclusive, "property" includes, without limitation, documents, books, papers, films,
recordings and any other tangible thing.
(b) Upon complaint on oath by any state's attorney or assistant state's attorney or
by any two credible persons, to any judge of the Superior Court or judge trial referee,
that such state's attorney or assistant state's attorney or such persons have probable
cause to believe that any property (1) possessed, controlled, designed or intended for
use or which is or has been used or which may be used as the means of committing any
criminal offense; or (2) which was stolen or embezzled; or (3) which constitutes evidence
of an offense, or that a particular person participated in the commission of an offense,
is within or upon any place, thing or person, such judge or judge trial referee, except as
provided in section 54-33j, may issue a warrant commanding a proper officer to enter
into or upon such place or thing, search the same or the person and take into such officer's
custody all such property named in the warrant.
(c) A warrant may issue only on affidavit sworn to by the complainant or complainants before the judge or judge trial referee and establishing the grounds for issuing the
warrant, which affidavit shall be part of the arrest file. If the judge or judge trial referee
is satisfied that grounds for the application exist or that there is probable cause to believe
that they exist, the judge or judge trial referee shall issue a warrant identifying the
property and naming or describing the person, place or thing to be searched. The warrant
shall be directed to any police officer of a regularly organized police department or any
state police officer, to an inspector in the Division of Criminal Justice or to a conservation
officer, special conservation officer or patrolman acting pursuant to section 26-6. The
warrant shall state the date and time of its issuance and the grounds or probable cause
for its issuance and shall command the officer to search within a reasonable time the
person, place or thing named, for the property specified. The inadvertent failure of the
issuing judge or judge trial referee to state on the warrant the time of its issuance shall
not in and of itself invalidate the warrant.
(1963, P.A. 652, S. 1, 3; February, 1965, P.A. 439; 574, S. 46; P.A. 74-183, S. 138, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 530, 681; P.A.
77-504; P.A. 79-14, S. 3; P.A. 80-313, S. 8; P.A. 81-227, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 39, 121; P.A. 00-31; P.A. 01-72, S. 2; P.A. 04-147, S. 2.)
History: 1965 acts authorized search of person and made grammatical correction; P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court
with court of common pleas in Subsec. (b), reflecting reorganization of judicial system, effective December 31, 1974; P.A.
76-436 added reference to assistant state's attorneys and deleted reference to prosecuting attorneys and to court of common
pleas in Subsec. (b), reflecting transfer of all trial jurisdiction to superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-504 added
Subsec. (b)(3) authorizing issuance of search warrant to discover property constituting evidence of offense or evidence
that a person participated in the commission of an offense; P.A. 79-14 added exception re Sec. 54-33j in Subsec. (b)(3);
P.A. 80-313 substituted "may" for "shall" in Subsec. (c) provision re issuance of warrant on sworn affidavit; P.A. 81-227
amended Subsec. (c) by authorizing judges to direct search warrants to conservation officers and patrolmen acting pursuant
to Sec. 26-6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 made a technical change in Subsec. (c), effective June 24, 1998; P.A. 00-31 amended
Subsec. (c) to require the warrant to state the date and time of its issuance and to add provision that the inadvertent failure
of the issuing judge to state on the warrant the time of its issuance shall not in and of itself invalidate the warrant, and
made technical changes in Subsecs. (b) and (c) for purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 01-72 added references to judge
trial referee in Subsecs. (b) and (c); P.A. 04-147 amended Subsec. (c) to authorize a warrant to be directed to an inspector
in the Division of Criminal Justice and make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality.
See Sec. 54-154 re taxing of expenses in search and seizure cases.
Former statute did not authorize seizure of contraceptive material. 126 C. 428. Under former statute, obscene materials
could be seized regardless of who possessed them or of knowledge or intent in such possession. 146 C. 78. This section
and sections 54-33b to 54-33g, inclusive, passed subsequent to Mapp v. Ohio (367 U.S. 643) which held that evidence
obtained by unlawful search and seizure is inadmissible in state courts. Prior to such passage if search and seizure were
incidental to lawful arrest, they were not unreasonable. 149 C. 567. Cited. 153 C. 8. Judge issuing search warrant not
required to recite in warrant the grounds on which he found probable cause. Id., 708, 709. Warrant calling for search and
seizure of passenger automobile includes whatever was an integral part or component of that automobile, e.g., dust on
floor, stains on interior, seats and cushions. 155 C. 145. Neither the recital that affiant had information from reliable
informant nor statement that apartment sought to be searched had been under surveillance were sufficient grounds for
issuance of warrant; warrant issued was illegal. Id., 385. Cited. 165 C. 239. Cited. 169 C. 322. Cited. 170 C. 618. Cited.
181 C. 562. Cited. 196 C. 471. Cited. 206 C. 90. Cited. 219 C. 529. Cited. 224 C. 29. Cited. 226 C. 514.
Cited. 10 CA 561. Cited. 30 CA 249.
Search and seizure which, though without warrant, is consented to is not within exclusionary rule. But mere acquiescence
in and peaceful submission to demands of searching officers is not to be construed as consent. 23 CS 41. Defendant's
application for order to return articles illegally seized was denied. Id. Where search warrant is issued and executed, presumption is that proper legal procedure was observed and burden is on defendant to overcome presumption. Id., 405. Even
though evidence was obtained as result of illegal search and seizure, defendant was not entitled to motion to suppress
evidence in advance of trial. 24 CS 36. But see now section 54-33f. Arrest for minor traffic violation did not justify search
of car without a warrant. 25 CS 229. If stolen goods were in plain sight, search might have been justified. Id. Reference
in warrant, after specifying drugs and named instruments for using them, concluded "and any other paraphernalia" which
could be used in taking drugs and was too broad; items not specifically mentioned in warrant could not be used in evidence.
28 CS 19. Cited. 41 CS 1.
Where judge had before him no information which permitted him to make an independent judicial determination of
the existence of probable cause for the issuance of a search and seizure warrant, the issuance of such warrant was in
violation of the constitution and the evidence seized as a result of its execution is not admissible in defendants' trial. 3
Conn. Cir. Ct. 97, 98. An unsigned and undated search warrant is fatally defective, invalid and void and confers no authority
to act thereunder. Id., 641, 644. Supporting affidavit sufficient when it recited several instances of information by others
of defendant operating his home for pool selling and police surveillance of activity of defendant in community. Name of
informant need not be disclosed. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 603. Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 44, 46. Motion to suppress evidence obtained
by search and seizure under warrant issued fourteen days before actual seizure granted on grounds execution of warrant
was not made within reasonable time. Id., 468. Affidavit in support of search warrant for violation of pool selling statute, that
set forth underlying circumstances, reasons informants were reliable, actual betting transactions and personal observation of
defendant by affiants was sufficient. Id., 669.
Subsec. (b):
Subdiv. (1) cited. 179 C. 23; 192 C. 98. Cited. 229 C. 125.
Possession or control of property is relevant, not ownership. 57 CA 396.
Subdiv. (1) cited. 1 CA 315.
Subsec. (c):
Cited. 179 C. 522. Search warrant, unsigned by judge, was not legally "issued". 184 C. 95. Cited. 188 C. 183. Neither
this section nor the commonly approved definition of "affidavit" requires assigned jurat; judgment of appellate court in
State v. Colon, 32 CA 402, reversed, 230 C. 24.
Cited. 14 CA 356. Cited. 32 CA 402; judgment reversed, see 230 C. 24. Cited. 39 CA 369.
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Sec. 54-33b. Search of person. The officer serving a search warrant may, if such
officer has reason to believe that any of the property described in the warrant is concealed
in the garments of any person in or upon the place or thing to be searched, search the
person for the purpose of seizing the same. When the person to be searched is a woman,
the search shall be made by a policewoman or other woman assisting in the service of
the warrant, or by a woman designated by the judge or judge trial referee issuing the
warrant.
(1963, P.A. 652, S. 2; P.A. 80-313, S. 9; P.A. 01-72, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 80-313 rephrased provisions but made no substantive changes; P.A. 01-72 made a technical change for
purposes of gender neutrality and added reference to judge trial referee.
See note to Sec. 54-33a.
Origin of former statute re search of person. 126 C. 433.
Cited. 28 CS 23.
Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 44, 46. Search of person on premises of store searched under warrant was constitutional as
statute provides for reasonable searches and seizes, not unreasonable ones. Id., 637.
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Sec. 54-33c. Application for warrant. Execution and return of warrant. Copy
of affidavit to be given to owner, occupant or person named in warrant; exceptions.
Disclosure of affidavit limited by prosecuting attorney, when. (a) The applicant for
the search warrant shall file the application for the warrant and all affidavits upon which
the warrant is based with the clerk of the court for the geographical area within which
any person who may be arrested in connection with or subsequent to the execution of
the search warrant would be presented with the return of the warrant. The warrant shall
be executed within ten days and returned with reasonable promptness consistent with
due process of law and shall be accompanied by a written inventory of all property
seized. A copy of such warrant shall be given to the owner or occupant of the dwelling,
structure, motor vehicle or place designated therein, or the person named therein. Within
forty-eight hours of such search, a copy of the application for the warrant and a copy
of all affidavits upon which the warrant is based shall be given to such owner, occupant
or person. The judge or judge trial referee may, by order, dispense with the requirement
of giving a copy of the affidavits to such owner, occupant or person at such time if the
applicant for the warrant files a detailed affidavit with the judge or judge trial referee
which demonstrates to the judge or judge trial referee that (1) the personal safety of a
confidential informant would be jeopardized by the giving of a copy of the affidavits
at such time, or (2) the search is part of a continuing investigation which would be
adversely affected by the giving of a copy of the affidavits at such time, or (3) the
giving of such affidavits at such time would require disclosure of information or material
prohibited from being disclosed by chapter 959a. If the judge or judge trial referee
dispenses with the requirement of giving a copy of the affidavits at such time, such order
shall not affect the right of such owner, occupant or person to obtain such copy at any
subsequent time. No such order shall limit the disclosure of such affidavits to the attorney
for a person arrested in connection with or subsequent to the execution of a search
warrant unless, upon motion of the prosecuting authority within two weeks of such
person's arraignment, the court finds that the state's interest in continuing nondisclosure
substantially outweighs the defendant's right to disclosure.
(b) Any order dispensing with the requirement of giving a copy of the warrant
application and accompanying affidavits to such owner, occupant or person within forty-eight hours shall be for a specific period of time, not to exceed two weeks beyond the
date the warrant is executed. Within that time period the prosecuting authority may seek
an extension of such period. Upon the execution and return of the warrant, affidavits
which have been the subject of such an order shall remain in the custody of the clerk's
office in a secure location apart from the remainder of the court file.
(1963, P.A. 652, S. 4; 1971, P.A. 291; P.A. 76-155; P.A. 85-306; P.A. 89-247; P.A. 97-40, S. 8; P.A. 99-215, S. 9; P.
A. 01-72, S. 5.)
History: 1971 act set ten-day deadline for execution of warrant and required that copy of warrant be given to owner or
occupant of dwelling, structure etc. to be searched or to the person named in the warrant; P.A. 76-155 set 48-hour deadline
for giving copy of warrant and added provisions re requirement that copy of warrant application, affidavits be given to
owner, occupant or person named in warrant; P.A. 85-306 required the applicant to file a detailed affidavit with the judge
before the judge may dispense with the requirement of giving a copy of the affidavits; P.A. 89-247 added provisions re
filing of copy of search warrant application with clerk of court, re prohibition of clerks' disclosing information pertinent
to the application, re protection of rights of an arrested person's attorney to disclosure of affidavits and re time limits on
orders which dispense with requirement that copy of warrant application and affidavits be given to interested parties within
48 hours and divided section into Subsecs.; P.A. 97-40 changed "issuance" to "execution" of warrant in Subsec. (a); P.A.
99-215 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision requiring filing of copy of warrant and that search be conducted within
one business day of execution and prohibiting clerk from disclosure of information re application or affidavits of search
warrant and substituting provision that any person arrested in connection with or subsequent to execution of search warrant
would be presented with return of warrant; P.A. 01-72 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to judge trial referee.
See note to Sec. 54-33a.
Return on search warrant, not defective. 163 C. 107. Cited. 165 C. 239.
Cited. 7 CA 265. Cited. 10 CA 347. Cited. 14 CA 356. Cited. 15 CA 251. Cited. 18 CA 477.
Cited. 28 CS 23. Omission of signature from copies of warrant and affidavits served on defendant held harmless error;
exclusionary rule discussed. 35 CS 225. Cited. 36 CS 570. Cited. 40 CS 20.
Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 44, 46. Execution of search and seizure warrant fourteen days after its issuance held unreasonable
lapse of time although officers' daily surveillance made this the opportune date for search. Motion to suppress evidence
seized granted. Id., 468.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 239 C. 793.
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Sec. 54-33d. Interference with search. Any person who forcibly assaults, resists,
opposes, impedes, intimidates or interferes with any person authorized to serve or execute search warrants or to make searches and seizures while engaged in the performance
of his duties with regard thereto or on account of the performance of such duties, shall
be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or
both; and any person who in committing any violation of this section uses any deadly
or dangerous weapon shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned
not more than ten years or both.
(1963, P.A. 652, S. 5.)
See note to Sec. 54-33a.
Cited. 165 C. 239.
Cited. 11 CA 47. Cited. 24 CA 330.
Cited. 30 CS 211.
Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 176.
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Sec. 54-33e. Destruction of property. Any person who, before, during or after
seizure of any property by any police officer authorized to make searches and seizures,
in order to prevent the seizure or securing of any property named in the warrant by such
police officer, breaks, destroys or removes or causes the breaking, destruction or removal
of the same, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more
than one year or both.
(1963, P.A. 652, S. 6.)
Cited. 165 C. 239. Cited. 173 C. 450.
Cited. 26 CA 667.
Cited. 30 CS 211.
Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 44, 46. Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 176.
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Sec. 54-33f. Motion for return of unlawfully seized property and suppression
as evidence. (a) A person aggrieved by search and seizure may move the court which
has jurisdiction of such person's case or, if such jurisdiction has not yet been invoked,
then the court which issued the warrant, or the court in which such person's case is
pending, for the return of the property and to suppress for use as evidence anything so
obtained on the ground that: (1) The property was seized without a warrant, or (2) the
warrant is insufficient on its face, or (3) the property seized is not that described in the
warrant, or (4) there was not probable cause for believing the existence of the grounds
on which the warrant was issued, or (5) the warrant was illegally executed. In no case
may the judge or judge trial referee who signed the warrant preside at the hearing on
the motion.
(b) The motion shall be made before trial or hearing unless opportunity therefor did
not exist or the defendant was not aware of the grounds for the motion, but the court in
its discretion may entertain the motion at the trial or hearing.
(c) The court shall receive evidence on any issue of fact necessary to the decision
of the motion. If the motion is granted, the property shall be restored unless otherwise
subject to lawful detention and it shall not be admissible in evidence at any hearing
or trial.
(1963, P.A. 652, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 4; 1969, P.A. 292, S. 1; P.A. 80-313, S. 10; P.A. 01-72, S. 6.)
History: 1967 act added proviso prohibiting judge who signed warrant from presiding at hearing on motion; 1969 act
authorized aggrieved person to make motion "in the court in which his case is pending" for return of property and to
suppress its use as evidence; P.A. 80-313 reorganized provisions and divided section into Subsecs.; P.A. 01-72 amended
Subsec. (a) by making technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality and adding reference to judge trial referee.
See note to Sec. 54-33a.
History discussed. 152 C. 90. Cited. 154 C. 314, 321. Neither statement that affiant had information from reliable
informant nor that apartment sought to be searched had been under police surveillance was sufficient grounds for issuance
of warrant, hence search warrant was illegal. 155 C. 385. Motion to suppress evidence consisting of several marked bills
found on defendant immediately after he was observed selling narcotics to an informer, obtained by search incident to his
lawful arrest for commission of felony of illegal sale of narcotics, properly denied. Id., 516. Ruling denying defendant's
motion to suppress evidence of narcotics seized by arresting officer from stolen car in defendant's possession without
obtaining search warrant was superseded by ruling during trial admitting narcotics as evidence. Where defendant driver
of stolen car had been arrested and drugs were found in car on custodial search by arresting officer, motion to suppress
use of drugs in evidence properly denied. 159 C. 201. Cited. 169 C. 322. Person aggrieved by search and seizure may
move to suppress for use as evidence anything obtained upon warrant when there is not probable cause for believing the
existence of grounds for warrant. 170 C. 618. Cited. 195 C. 668. Cited. 216 C. 150, see also 26 CA 423, 27 CA 291, 223
C. 902, and 225 C. 10, reversing judgment of appellate court in State v. Marsala. Cited. 223 C. 903. Cited. 226 C. 514.
Cited. 239 C. 793.
Cited. 10 CA 561. Cited. 14 CA 605. Cited. 27 CA 370. Cited. 31 CA 548.
Use of motion to suppress. 29 CS 423. Motion to dismiss, motion to suppress, difference. 30 CS 211. This section
implements fourth amendment of U.S. Const. and Art. I, Sec. 7 of the Conn. Const. and is analogous to rule 41 of Federal
Rules of Criminal Procedure; purposes of rule. 33 CS 129.
Evidence obtained by an immediate search of defendant's apartment after her arrest for liquor violation was admissible.
Search without warrant was an incident to a lawful arrest. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 125. Where officers went beyond directives of
warrant for search of defendant and certain premises and searched automobiles, evidence obtained was suppressed, but
articles taken were not returned in absence of demand or request. Id., 422, 423. Property sought to be suppressed was
voluntarily handed over to police officers by defendant's wife who was not party to defendant's appeal. He has no standing
to claim violation of wife's constitutional rights as these are personal to her. Id., 605. Testimony or information, although
not tangible, come within purview of statute. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 44. Although not expressly required it is better practice for
motion to suppress to be in writing. Id., 51. Motion by defendant to suppress evidence seized in search of his car dismissed
by circuit court where prosecuting attorney had instituted bindover proceedings in superior court. Id., 119. While it is better
practice to test legality of seizure in preliminary hearing, court may entertain motion to suppress at trial. Officers did not
search for papers where they had defendant under surveillance in his store and saw him putting papers under rafters of
hatchway and picked them up upon arrest. Id., 613. Where there was probable cause to believe that defendant was in
business of pool selling from allegations of affidavit, search warrant was properly issued. Id, 669. Burden of proof relative
to the illegality of search and seizure is on accused. Newspaper, policy sheet and pen discarded by accused were abandoned
property and apprehension of them by police is not seizure of defendant's property. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 17. (5) Doctrine of
retroactivity not applied to procedural problem of this kind. Id., 192, 194. Motion to suppress must specify item to be
suppressed. Id., 454. Cited. Id., 574; 584.
Subsec. (a):
Subdiv. (5) cited. 15 CA 251.
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Sec. 54-33g. Summons to owner on seizure of property. In rem action for adjudication as nuisance. Disposition of property. (a) When any property believed to be
possessed, controlled, designed or intended for use or which is or has been used or which
may be used as a means of committing any criminal offense, except a violation of section
21a-267, 21a-277, 21a-278 or 21a-279, has been seized as a result of a lawful arrest or
lawful search, which the state claims to be a nuisance and desires to have destroyed or
disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this section, the judge or court issuing
the warrant or before whom the arrested person is to be arraigned shall, within ten days
after such seizure, cause to be left with the owner of, and with any person claiming of
record a bona fide mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security interest in, the
property so seized, or at his usual place of abode, if he is known, or, if unknown, at the
place where the property was seized, a summons notifying the owner and any such other
person claiming such interest and all others whom it may concern to appear before such
judge or court, at a place and time named in such notice, which shall be not less than
six nor more than twelve days after the service thereof. Such summons may be signed
by a clerk of the court or his assistant and service may be made by a local or state police
officer. It shall describe such property with reasonable certainty and state when and
where and why the same was seized.
(b) If the owner of such property or any person claiming any interest in the same
appears, he shall be made a party defendant in such case. Any state's attorney or assistant
state's attorney may appear and prosecute such complaint and shall have the burden of
proving all material facts by clear and convincing evidence.
(c) If the judge or court finds the allegations made in such complaint to be true and
that the property has been possessed, controlled or designed for use, or is or has been
or is intended to be used, with intent to violate or in violation of any of the criminal
laws of this state, except a violation of section 21a-267, 21a-277, 21a-278 or 21a-279,
he shall render judgment that such property is a nuisance and order the same to be
destroyed or disposed of to a charitable or educational institution or to a governmental
agency or institution provided, if any such property is subject to a bona fide mortgage,
assignment of lease or rent, lien or security interest, such property shall not be so destroyed or disposed of in violation of the rights of the holder of such interest. When any
money or valuable prize has been seized upon such warrant and condemned under the
provisions of this section, such money or valuable prize shall become the property of
the state and when the property is money it shall be deposited in the General Fund,
provided any such property, which at the time of such order is subject to a bona fide
mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security interest shall remain subject to
such mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security interest. When any property
or valuable prize has been declared a nuisance and condemned under this section, the
court may also order that such property be sold by sale at public auction in which case
the proceeds shall become the property of the state and shall be deposited in the General
Fund; provided, any person who has a bona fide mortgage, assignment of lease or rent,
lien or security interest shall have the same right to the proceeds as he had in the property
prior to sale. Final destruction or disposal of such property shall not be made until any
criminal trial in which such property might be used as evidence has been completed.
(d) If the judge or court finds the allegations not to be true or that the property has
not been kept with intent to violate or in violation of the criminal laws of this state or
that it is the property of a person not a defendant, he shall order the property returned
to the owner forthwith and the party in possession of such property pending such determination shall be responsible and personally liable for such property from the time of
seizure and shall immediately comply with such order.
(e) Failure of the state to proceed against such property in accordance with the
provisions of this section shall not prevent the use of such property as evidence in any
criminal trial.
(1963, P.A. 652, S. 8; February, 1965, P.A. 215; 574, S. 47; 1972, P.A. 49; P.A. 75-54, S. 1, 3; P.A. 76-77, S. 4; 76-436, S. 531, 681; P.A. 80-313, S. 11; P.A. 84-540, S. 4, 7; P.A. 87-294, S. 1; P.A. 89-269, S. 3.)
History: 1965 acts specified applicability of provisions to seized property "which the state claims to be a nuisance and
desires to have destroyed or disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this section" and added provision allowing use
of property which state has failed to proceed against as evidence in criminal trial; 1972 act referred to property "possessed,
controlled or designed for use ... or intended to be used" in violation of criminal laws rather than to property "kept" in
connection with violation of law and added proviso re superior court's assumption of trial jurisdiction; P.A. 75-54 changed
deadline for issuing summons from 48 hours after seizure to 10 days after seizure and clarified applicability re property
which is subject to liens; P.A. 76-77 added provision re sale of property at public auction; P.A. 76-436 replaced prosecuting
attorneys with assistant state's attorneys and deleted proviso re superior court's assumption of trial jurisdiction rendered
obsolete because of transfer of all trial jurisdiction to that court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 80-313 divided section into
Subsecs. and moved provision re final destruction or disposal of property but made no substantive changes; P.A. 84-540
deleted reference in Subsec. (a) to property seized "pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 54-33a" and
substituted reference to property "believed to be possessed, controlled, designed or intended for use or which is or has
been used as a means of committing any criminal offense" seized "as a result of a search incident to an arrest, a warrantless
arrest or a search warrant"; expanded provision in Subsec. (a) requiring judge or court "issuing the warrant" to issue a
summons to include judge or court "before whom the arrested person is to be arraigned"; P.A. 87-294 amended Subsec.
(c) to specify that property which is money shall be deposited in the general fund; P.A. 89-269 amended Subsec. (a) to
add exception for "a violation of section 21a-267, 21a-277, 21a-278 or 21a-279", to require that the property has been
seized as a result of a "lawful arrest or lawful search" rather than a "search incident to an arrest, a warrantless arrest or a
search warrant", and to delete provision that the summons notify the owner to appear "then and there to show cause why
such property should not be adjudged a nuisance and ordered to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as herein provided",
amended Subsec. (b) to place on the state's attorney or assistant state's attorney "the burden of proving all material facts
by clear and convincing evidence" and amended Subsec. (c) to add exception for "a violation of section 21a-267, 21a-277,
21a-278 or 21a-279".
See note to Sec. 54-33a.
Origin of former statute. 126 C. 433. Under former statute, obscene materials could be destroyed regardless of who
possessed them or of knowledge or intent in such possession. 146 C. 78. Intervening federal tax lien has precedence over
state's inchoate claim which is not perfected until a final adjudication of forfeiture. 176 C. 339. Cited. 192 C. 98. Cited.
194 C. 589. Cited. 196 C. 471. Cited. 204 C. 259. Cited. 207 C. 743.
Statute requires that the issuance of the warrant, pursuant to which the property sought to be confiscated is seized,
precede the seizure and that the seizure take place pursuant to that warrant. 1 CA 315. "This statute, being a forfeiture
statute, must be read and applied strictly." 5 CA 540. Cited. 15 CA 589. Cited. 19 CA 195; Id., 588. Cited. 39 CA 40.
Cited. 36 CS 551.
Seizure warrant is prerequisite to condemnation of gambling device. 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 399. Action to condemn is civil
and state has right to appeal. Id. Cited. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 96. Defendant's lack of knowledge his car was being used by
person to who he entrusted it for policy playing is no defense to forfeiture proceeding. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 1. Cited. Id., 44,
46. Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 283. Not a criminal statute, but provides for forfeiture of car used in violation of law by in rem
civil action. Id., 284.
Subsec. (a):
Time limit is directory, not mandatory. 19 CA 195. Cited. 23 CA 724.
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Sec. 54-33h. (Formerly Sec. 53-279). Arrest of keeper of gambling equipment;
seizure and disposition of property. Section 54-33h is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8656; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 191; 1963, P.A. 652, S. 9; 1969, P.A. 169; P.A. 73-455, S. 9.)
See Sec. 53-278c re seizure of gambling devices.
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Sec. 54-33i. "Journalist", "news organization" and "news" defined. For the
purposes of this section and sections 54-33a and 54-33j:
(1) "Journalist" means a person engaged in the business of investigating, collecting
or writing news, or of supervising such activity, with the intent of publication or presentation or for publication or presentation to the public through a news organization.
(2) "News organization" means (A) an individual, partnership, corporation or other
association engaged in the business, whether or not for profit, of (i) publishing a newspaper or other periodical that reports news events and that is issued at regular intervals or
has a general circulation; or (ii) providing newsreels or other motion picture news for
public showing; or (iii) broadcasting news to the public by wire, radio, television or
facsimile; and (B) a press association or other association of individuals, partnerships,
corporations or other associations described in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision or
in subdivision (1) of this section engaged in gathering news and disseminating it to its
members for publication.
(3) "News" means any compilation of facts, theories, rumors or opinions concerning
any subject for the purpose of informing the public.
(P.A. 79-14, S. 1; P.A. 80-313, S. 12.)
History: P.A. 80-313 replaced alphabetic Subdiv. indicators with numeric indicators and made corresponding format
changes in Subpara. indicators but made no substantive changes.
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Sec. 54-33j. Issuance of search warrant for property of journalist or news organization. (a) No search warrant, as provided in section 54-33a, may be issued to
search any place or seize anything in the possession, custody or control of any journalist
or news organization unless such warrant is issued upon probable cause that such person
or organization has committed or is committing the offense related to the property named
in the warrant or such property constitutes contraband or an instrumentality of a crime.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the right to subpoena any
such evidence if such subpoena is otherwise permitted by law.
(P.A. 79-14, S. 2.)
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Sec. 54-33k. "Strip search" defined. For the purposes of this section and section
54-33l, "strip search" means having an arrested person remove or arrange some or all
of his or her clothing or, if an arrested person refuses to remove or arrange his or her
clothing, having a peace officer or employee of the police department remove or arrange
the clothing of the arrested person so as to permit a visual inspection of the genitals,
buttocks, anus, female breasts or undergarments used to clothe said anatomical parts of
the body.
(P.A. 80-93, S. 1; P.A. 81-234, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 81-234 amended the definition of strip search to include the removing or arranging of the clothing of an
arrested person by a peace officer or an employee of the police department when the arrested person refuses to remove or
arrange the clothing.
Section does not address those strip searches that are conducted incident to lawful arrest on a felony charge. 82 CA 111.
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Sec. 54-33l. Strip searches. Procedure. (a) No person arrested for a motor vehicle
violation or a misdemeanor shall be strip searched unless there is reasonable belief that
the individual is concealing a weapon, a controlled substance or contraband.
(b) No search of any body cavity other than the mouth shall be conducted without
a search warrant. Any warrant authorizing a body cavity search shall specify that the
search is required to be performed under sanitary conditions and conducted either by
or under the supervision of a person licensed to practice medicine in accordance with
chapter 370.
(c) All strip searches shall be performed by a person of the same sex as the arrested
person and on premises where the search cannot be observed by persons not physically
conducting the search or not absolutely necessary to conduct the search.
(d) Any peace officer or employee of a police department conducting a strip search
shall (1) obtain the written permission of the police chief or an agent thereof designated
for the purposes of authorizing a strip search in accordance with this section and section
54-33k and (2) prepare a report of the strip search. The report shall include the written
authorization required by subdivision (1) of this subsection, the name of the person
subjected to the search, the name of any person conducting the search and the time, date
and place of the search. A copy of the report shall be provided to the person subjected
to the search.
(e) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution of a peace officer or employee
under any other provision of the general statutes.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting any statutory or common
law rights of any person for purposes of any civil action or injunctive relief.
(g) The provisions of this section and section 54-33k shall not apply when the person
is remanded to a correctional institution pursuant to a court order.
(P.A. 80-93, S. 2; P.A. 81-234, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 81-234 amended Subsec. (a) to clarify the exception to the prohibition on strip searches and to provide
that a person may be strip searched if there is reasonable belief he is concealing contraband, amended Subsec. (b) by
replacing "licensed practitioner, as defined in section 20-184a" with "person licensed to practice medicine in accordance
with chapter 370", and amended Subsec. (c) by providing that a strip search shall be performed where it cannot be observed
by persons not absolutely necessary to conduct it.
Section does not address those strip searches that are conducted incident to lawful arrest on a felony charge. 82 CA
111. Language of section suggests that a "strip search" and a "body cavity search" are two discrete searches under the
provisions of the statute and that, therefore, when a search constitutes a "strip search", it does not, pursuant to the statute,
necessarily amount to a "body cavity search". Although the two types of searches appear within same statutory provision,
the two terms are used independently of each other. 105 CA 179.
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Sec. 54-33m. Failure to wear seat belt not probable cause for vehicle search.
The failure of an operator of, or front seat passenger in, a private passenger motor vehicle
or vanpool vehicle to wear a seat safety belt as required by section 14-100a shall not
constitute probable cause for a law enforcement official to conduct a search of such
vehicle and its contents.
(P.A. 85-429, S. 7, 8.)
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Sec. 54-33n. Search of school lockers and property. All local and regional boards
of education and all private elementary and secondary schools may authorize the search
by school or law enforcement officials of lockers and other school property available
for use by students for the presence of weapons, contraband or the fruits of a crime if
(1) the search is justified at its inception and (2) the search as actually conducted is
reasonably related in scope to the circumstances which justified the interference in the
first place. A search is justified at its inception when there are reasonable grounds for
suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. A search is reasonably related in scope
when the measures adopted are reasonably related to the objectives of the search and
not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the
infraction.
(P.A. 94-115.)
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Secs. 54-34 and 54-35. Search of person. Condemnation of gambling implements, notice. Sections 54-34 and 54-35 are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8757, 8758; 1961, P.A. 214; 255, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 652, S. 10.)
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Sec. 54-36. Disposition of property held as evidence. Section 54-36 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8759; 1969, P.A. 699, S. 31; P.A. 73-116, S. 22; 73-667, S. 1, 2; P.A. 74-221, S. 9.)
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Sec. 54-36a. Definitions. Inventory. Return of stolen property. Disposition of
other seized property. Return of compliance. (a) As used in this section, sections 53-278c and 54-36c: (1) "Contraband" means any property, the possession of which is
prohibited by any provision of the general statutes; (2) "stolen property" shall include,
but not be limited to, cash or the proceeds from the sale of such property obtained by
theft or other illegal means; (3) "owner" means a person or persons entitled to seized
property as a matter of law or fact.
(b) (1) Whenever property is seized in connection with a criminal arrest or seized
pursuant to a search warrant without an arrest, the law enforcement agency seizing such
property shall file, on forms provided for this purpose by the Office of the Chief Court
Administrator, an inventory of the property seized. The inventory, together with the
uniform arrest report, in the case of an arrest, shall be filed with the clerk of the court for
the geographical area in which the criminal offense is alleged to have been committed;
except, when the property is stolen property and, in the opinion of the law enforcement
officer, does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars in value, or when an attempt was
made to steal the property but the property at all times remained on the premises in a
sealed container, the filing of an inventory shall not be required and such property may
be returned to the owner. In the case of property seized in connection with a search
warrant without an arrest, the inventory shall be attached to the warrant and shall be
filed with the clerk of the court for the geographical area in which the search warrant
was issued. If any criminal proceeding is transferred to another court location, then the
clerk with whom the inventory is filed shall transfer such inventory to the clerk of the
court location to which such action is transferred.
(2) If the seized property is stolen property, within ten days of the seizure, the law
enforcement agency seizing the property shall notify the owner of the property if known,
or, if the owner of the property is unknown at the time of seizure, such agency shall
within ten days of any subsequent ascertainment of the owner notify such owner, and,
on a form prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, advise the owner
of such owner's rights concerning the property and the location of the property. Such
written notice shall include a request form for the return of the property. The owner may
request the return of the property by filing such request form with such law enforcement
agency, and upon receipt of such request, the law enforcement agency shall forward it
to the clerk of the court for the geographical area in which the criminal offense is alleged
to have been committed. The clerk of the court shall notify the defendant or defendants
of the request to return the property. The court shall order the return of the property
within thirty days of the date of filing such return request by the owner, except that for
good cause shown, the court may order retention of the property for a period to be
determined by the court. Any secondary evidence of the identity, description or value
of such property shall be admissible in evidence against such defendant in the trial of
such case. The fact that the evidence is secondary in nature may be shown to affect the
weight of such evidence, but not to affect its admissibility. If the stolen property is a
motor vehicle, a photograph of the motor vehicle and a sworn affidavit attesting to the
vehicle identification number of such motor vehicle shall be sufficient evidence of the
identity of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this subdivision, "motor vehicle"
means a passenger or commercial motor vehicle or a motorcycle, as defined in section
14-1, and includes construction equipment, agricultural tractors and farm implements.
(3) (A) If the seized property is currency and is stolen property, the law enforcement
agency seizing the currency shall follow the procedures set forth in subdivision (2) of
this subsection.
(B) If the seized property is currency and is not stolen property, the law enforcement
agency seizing the currency shall, within ten days of such seizure, notify the defendant
or defendants, if such currency was seized in connection with a criminal arrest, or the
person or persons having a possessory interest in the premises from which such currency
was seized, if such currency was seized pursuant to a search warrant without an arrest,
that such defendant or person has the right to a hearing before the Superior Court on
the disposition of the currency. Such defendant or person may, not later than thirty days
after receiving such notice, request a hearing before the Superior Court. The court may,
after any such hearing, order that the law enforcement agency, after taking reasonable
measures to preserve the evidentiary value of the currency, deposit the currency in a
deposit account in the name of the law enforcement agency as custodian for evidentiary
funds at a financial institution in this state or order, for good cause shown, that the
currency be retained for a period to be determined by the court. If such defendant or
person does not request a hearing, the law enforcement agency may, after taking reasonable measures to preserve the evidentiary value of the currency, deposit the currency in
a deposit account in the name of the law enforcement agency as custodian for evidentiary
funds at a financial institution in this state.
(C) If the currency is deposited in a deposit account at a financial institution in this
state pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the financial institution at which
such deposit account is established shall not be required to segregate the currency deposited in such deposit account. No funds may be withdrawn from such deposit account
except pursuant to a court order directed to the financial institution. Any withdrawal of
funds from such deposit account shall be in the form of a check issued by the financial
institution to the law enforcement agency or to such other payee as the court may order.
Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit a financial institution from charging a fee for
the maintenance and administration of such deposit account and for the review of the
court order.
(D) If the currency is deposited in a deposit account at a financial institution in this
state pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, any secondary evidence of the
identity, description or value of such currency shall be admissible in evidence against
a defendant in the trial of a criminal offense. The fact that the evidence is secondary
in nature may be shown to affect the weight of such evidence, but not to affect its
admissibility.
(c) Unless such seized property is stolen property and is ordered returned pursuant
to subsection (b) of this section or unless such seized property is adjudicated a nuisance
in accordance with section 54-33g, or unless the court finds that such property shall be
forfeited or is contraband, or finds that such property is a controlled drug, a controlled
substance or drug paraphernalia as defined in subdivision (8), (9) or (20) of section 21a-240, it shall, at the final disposition of the criminal action or as soon thereafter as is
practical, or, if there is no criminal action, at any time upon motion of the prosecuting
official of such court, order the return of such property to its owner within six months
upon proper claim therefor.
(d) When the court orders the return of the seized property to the owner, the order
shall provide that if the seized property is not claimed by the owner within six months,
the property shall be destroyed or be given to a charitable or educational institution or
to a governmental agency or institution, except that (1) if such property is money it shall
be remitted to the state and shall be deposited in the General Fund or (2) if such property
is a valuable prize it shall be disposed of by public auction or private sale in which case
the proceeds shall become the property of the state and shall be deposited in the General
Fund; provided any person who has a bona fide mortgage, assignment of lease or rent,
lien or security interest in such property shall have the same right to the proceeds as he
had in the property prior to the sale.
(e) If such seized property is adjudicated a nuisance or if the court finds that such
property shall be forfeited or is contraband other than a controlled drug, a controlled
substance or drug paraphernalia as defined in subdivision (8), (9) or (20) of section 21a-240, the court shall order that such property be destroyed or be given to a charitable or
educational institution or to a governmental agency or institution, except that (1) if such
property is money, the court shall order that it be remitted to the state and be deposited
in the General Fund or (2) if such property is a valuable prize, the court shall order that
it be disposed of by public auction or private sale in which case the proceeds shall
become the property of the state and shall be deposited in the General Fund; provided
any person who has a bona fide mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security
interest in such property shall have the same right to the proceeds as he had in the
property prior to sale.
(f) If the court finds that such seized property is fireworks as defined in section 29-356, the court shall order the forfeiture and destruction of such property. Any secondary
evidence of the identity, description or value of such property shall be admissible in
evidence against the defendant in the trial of the case. A photograph of the fireworks and
a sworn affidavit describing such fireworks shall be sufficient evidence of the identity of
the fireworks. The fact that the evidence is secondary in nature may be shown to affect
the weight of such evidence, but not to affect its admissibility.
(g) If the court finds that such seized property is a controlled drug, a controlled
substance or drug paraphernalia as defined in subdivision (8), (9) or (20) of section 21a-240, the court shall order the forfeiture and destruction of such property or order it
delivered to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to section 54-36g.
(h) Any order made under the provisions of subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g)
of this section or section 54-33f or 54-33g, shall upon notification from the clerk, be
complied with by the person or department having custody or possession of such
property.
(i) A return of compliance with the court order, on a form prescribed by the Office
of the Chief Court Administrator, shall be filed with the clerk of the court by the person
or department to whom notice is sent in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(h) of this section. If the court ordered the seized property returned to the owner within
six months upon proper claim therefor, the return of the compliance shall be filed within
seventy-two hours of the return of the property to the owner. If the owner does not
claim the property within six months, then the return of compliance shall be filed within
seventy-two hours of compliance with the order of the court pursuant to subsection (d)
of this section. Failure to comply with the court order within ninety days following
expiration of the period within which the owner of the property may claim the property
shall constitute criminal contempt. If the court renders an order concerning the disposition of the property other than an order to return the property to the owner, the return
of compliance shall be filed with the clerk within seventy-two hours of compliance with
the court order. Failure to comply with the court order within ninety days of receipt of
such order shall constitute criminal contempt. Failure to file a return of compliance as
set forth in this subsection shall constitute criminal contempt. Anyone convicted of
criminal contempt may be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
Each failure to comply with a court order and each failure to file a return of compliance
within the required period shall constitute a separate criminal contempt.
(P.A. 74-221, S. 1-6; P.A. 75-530, S. 16, 17, 35; P.A. 76-77, S. 1; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 127; P.A. 79-392; P.A. 81-240,
S. 1, 3; P.A. 82-235; P.A. 85-263, S. 1; P.A. 87-243; 87-294, S. 2; P.A. 99-247, S. 5; P.A. 01-104; 01-186, S. 8; June 30
Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 07-246, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 75-530 amended Subsec. (b) to make clear distinctions between filing procedure for inventories of property
seized in arrest or under a search warrant, and to add provisions specifically applicable to stolen property and restated
Subsec. (c); P.A. 76-77 required that uniform arrest report or search warrant, as the case may be, be filed with inventory,
added exception to inventory requirement in connection with arrest re stolen property not exceeding $50 in value and
added provision re return of stolen property upon its owner's application to court in Subsec. (b) and changed applicable
time periods re claims for property and return of property in Subsecs. (c) to (f) from one year to six months; P.A. 78-280
deleted references to filing of inventories in counties; P.A. 79-392 added definitions of "stolen property" and "owner" in
Subsec. (a) and substituted reference to Sec. 54-36c for reference to Sec. 54-36b; P.A. 81-240 replaced previous provisions
re return of stolen property with new provisions re notification of the owner of stolen property, procedure for return of
stolen property within 30 days of request therefor, except for good cause shown and specified that secondary nature of
evidence may affect weight of evidence but not admissibility in Subsec. (b) and deleted provision in Subsec. (e) whereby
return of compliance was filed after return of property to owner or at the end of six months in cases where court orders
return within that time period; P.A. 82-235 required office of chief court administrator to provide forms for return of stolen
property, required notice of stolen property within 10 days instead of 48 hours, provided procedure for return of seized
property, other than stolen property or contraband, within six months, eliminated sentence of imprisonment for criminal
contempt for failure to file the return of compliance and required that any sale of unclaimed seized property ordered by
the court shall be public; P.A. 85-263 amended Subsec. (a) by adding exceptions of stolen property which does not exceed
$250 in value or when an attempt was made to steal property but property remained on premises in sealed container, amended
Subsec. (c) by adding "finds that such property is a controlled drug" and "drug paraphernalia", and added provisions re
order of return of property by court, property adjudicated a nuisance, disposition of controlled drugs, controlled substances
and drug paraphernalia and immediate filing of return of compliance if owner fails to claim property within six months;
P.A. 87-243 added new Subsec. (f) re the forfeiture and destruction of fireworks and the admissibility of secondary evidence
of such fireworks, and relettered the remaining subsections and internal references accordingly; P.A. 87-294 specified that
property which is money and sale or auction proceeds be deposited in the general fund; P.A. 99-247 amended Subsec. (b)
to insert Subdiv. indicators, reposition provision re transfer of inventory and add new Subdiv. (3) re the deposit of seized
currency in a safe deposit box in a financial institution, the removal of such currency and the responsibility of such financial
institution with respect to such safe deposit box and its contents; P.A. 01-104 amended Subsec. (b) by making a technical
change for purposes of gender neutrality and adding provisions re motor vehicles in Subdiv. (2), deleting former Subdiv.
(3) and adding new Subdiv. (3) re currency; P.A. 01-186 amended Subsec. (i) by requiring return of compliance to be filed
within 72 hours of return of property or court order, providing that failure to comply with court order within 90 days shall
constitute criminal contempt, adding provision re each failure to file return of compliance within required period shall
constitute a separate criminal contempt and making conforming changes; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A.
04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture
and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 07-246 amended Subsec. (f) to provide that a photograph and
affidavit shall be sufficient evidence of the identity of fireworks.
See Sec. 54-36d re exemption from licensing and disposition requirements of certain proceedings concerning cigarettes,
alcohol and fisheries and game.
Cited. 196 C. 471.
Cited. 10 CA 130. Cited. 23 CA 215. Cited. 30 CA 249. Cited. 33 CA 409. Denial of request for return of seized property
pursuant to the statute was appealable and plaintiff improperly brought a writ of error. 107 CA 760. Statute does not apply
to money found near drugs and seized at the same time as an arrest for violations of drug laws. 108 CA 533.
Cited. 36 CS 352.
Subsec. (a):
Subdiv. (1) cited. 242 C. 666.
Cited. 35 CS 659. Cited. 36 CS 551.
Subsec. (b):
Cited. 181 C. 388. Cited. 192 C. 98.
Cited. 39 CS 392.
Subsec. (c):
Cited. 192 C. 98. Statute authorizes the forfeiture in this case, prior to enactment of the 1984 amendment to Sec. 54-33g, which incorporated seizure as a result of a warrantless arrest. 196 C. 471. Cited. 204 C. 259.
Cited. 5 CA 540.
Cited. 35 CS 659. Use of radar detection device not "crime" so as to warrant forfeiture of device. 36 CS 551.
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Sec. 54-36b. Examiner of seized property, appointment, duties. There shall be
an examiner of seized property who shall be appointed and be subject to supervision
by the Chief Court Administrator of the Judicial Department. The examiner of seized
property may prescribe forms and procedures to be used in identifying and labeling
seized property, shall recommend to the judges any procedures which may be necessary
to implement the provisions of this section, sections 53-278c and 54-36a, may inspect
records maintained by clerks of court in connection with accounting for seized property,
and may inspect offices where seized property is kept to insure the filing of inventories
and compliance with other provisions of said sections. The examiner of seized property
shall conduct or contract for any public auction required pursuant to the provisions of
section 54-36a, section 54-33g and section 53-278c and, at his discretion, such property
may be sold by him to the highest bidder in whatever locality of the state he determines
affords the most favorable market. The examiner of seized property may decline the
highest bid at any such sale and reoffer the property at a later sale if he considers the
bid insufficient. He may dispose of any such property by private sale if, in his opinion,
the probable cost of public sale will exceed the value of the property. He may also, at
his discretion, dispose of such property to a charitable or educational institution or to a
governmental agency or institution.
(P.A. 74-221, S. 7; P.A. 75-530, S. 18, 35; P.A. 76-77, S. 2; P.A. 85-140, S. 6; 85-263, S. 3.)
History: P.A. 75-530 authorized examiner to contract for public auction, allowed sale to highest bidder in locality
affording the most favorable market and added provisions authorizing examiner to decline highest bid and hold another
sale, to dispose of property by private sale and to dispose of property to charitable, educational or government institution;
P.A. 76-77 added reference to Sec. 54-33q; P.A. 85-140 provided that the examiner be appointed and subject to supervision
by the chief court administrator rather than the executive secretary of the judicial department; P.A. 85-263 deleted references
to Secs. 54-36a(f) and 53-278(c).
See Sec. 54-36d re exemption from licensing and disposition requirements of certain proceedings concerning cigarettes,
alcohol and fisheries and game.
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Sec. 54-36c. Disposition of seized property on order of the examiner of seized
property. If there is no criminal action, property seized prior to October 1, 1974, held
by law enforcement agencies in connection with a crime, which has not been claimed
by the owner, except property held for disposition pursuant to section 54-33g, shall,
upon notification by the police authority, be disposed of on the order of the examiner
of seized property if he obtains the consent of the prosecuting official of such court.
Property, seized after October 1, 1974, in connection with a crime for which an inventory
need not be filed and held by law enforcement agencies for six months and which has
not been claimed by the owner, shall be disposed of by an order of the examiner of
seized property if he obtains the consent of the prosecuting official of such court. In
disposing of property pursuant to this section, the examiner of seized property may order
that such property be destroyed or be given to a charitable or educational institution or
to a governmental agency or institution; provided, (1) if such property is money, he
shall order that it be remitted to the state and be deposited in the General Fund or (2),
if such property is a valuable prize, he shall order that it be disposed of by public auction
or private sale, in which case the proceeds shall become the property of the state and shall
be deposited in the General Fund; provided any person who has a bona fide mortgage,
assignment of lease or rent, lien or security interest in such property shall have the same
right to the proceeds as he had in the property prior to sale.
(P.A. 75-530, S. 19, 35; P.A. 76-77, S. 3; P.A. 87-294, S. 3.)
History: P.A. 76-77 amended provisions to recognize hearing of Sec. 54-36a created in 1974 and to require that examiner
obtain consent of prosecuting officials before disposing of property; P.A. 87-294 amended section to specify that property
which is money and sale or auction proceeds be deposited in the general fund.
See Sec. 54-36d re exemption from licensing and disposition requirements of certain proceedings concerning cigarettes,
alcohol and fisheries and game.
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Sec. 54-36d. Proceedings under chapters 214, 220 and 490 concerning cigarettes, alcohol and fisheries and game, respectively, exempt from certain licensing
and disposition requirements. Sections 21-1, 54-36a, 54-36b and 54-36c, shall not be
applicable to the proceedings taken pursuant to chapters 214, 220 and 490.
(P.A. 75-530, S. 23, 35.)
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Sec. 54-36e. Firearms to be turned over to state police. Sale at public auction.
(a) Except as provided in sections 26-85 and 26-90, firearms, adjudged by the court to
be contraband pursuant to subsection (c) of section 54-36a, or adjudicated a nuisance
pursuant to section 54-33g, shall be turned over to the Bureau of Identification of the
Connecticut Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety for destruction or appropriate use or disposal by sale at public auction.
(b) Firearms turned over to the state police pursuant to subsection (a) of this section
which are not destroyed or retained for appropriate use shall be sold at public auctions,
conducted by the Commissioner of Administrative Services or such commissioner's
designee. Pistols and revolvers, as defined in section 53a-3, which are antiques, as defined in section 29-33, or curios or relics, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations,
Title 27, Chapter 1, Part 178, or modern pistols and revolvers which have a current retail
value of one hundred dollars or more may be sold at such public auctions, provided such
pistols and revolvers shall be sold only to persons who have a valid permit to sell a pistol
or revolver, or a valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver, issued pursuant to section 29-28. Rifles and shotguns, as defined in section 53a-3, shall be sold only to persons qualified under federal law to purchase such rifles and shotguns. The proceeds of any such
sale shall be paid to the State Treasurer and deposited by the State Treasurer in the forfeit
firearms account within the General Fund.
(P.A. 76-77, S. 5; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 610; P.A. 85-263, S. 4; P.A. 87-257; P.A. 00-192, S. 42, 102.)
History: P.A. 77-614 made state police department a division within the department of public safety, effective January
1, 1979; P.A. 85-263 added provisions re disposal of firearms at public auction; P.A. 87-257 amended Subsec. (b) to permit
more than one annual auction of firearms by deleting restriction that firearms be sold at a public "auction held annually
on or before the thirtieth of June"; P.A. 00-192 amended Subsec. (b) to require sale proceeds to be deposited in forfeit
firearms account and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2000.
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Sec. 54-36f. Receipt for seized property to be given by law enforcement officials. Whenever property is seized in connection with a criminal arrest or seized pursuant
to a search warrant without an arrest, the law enforcement agency seizing such property
shall give a receipt therefor to the person or persons from whom such property was
seized or to the person or persons having a possessory interest in the premises from
which such property was seized. The receipt, on a form provided for this purpose by
the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, shall list with specificity the property seized,
be signed by the law enforcement official or officials who seized the property and be
given to the person or persons from whose person or premises the property was seized
at the time of such seizure or, if the property was seized from premises in the absence
of the person or persons having a possessory interest therein, be mailed to such person
or persons by registered or certified mail within five days of such seizure.
(P.A. 84-222.)
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Sec. 54-36g. Destruction of controlled drugs, controlled substances and drug
paraphernalia held as evidence in criminal proceedings. Petition, notice and hearing. Representative samples. Certificate of results. Destruction upon final disposition of criminal action. Records. (a) At any time after the seizure of a controlled drug
or a controlled substance, as defined in subdivision (8) or (9) of section 21a-240, or
drug paraphernalia, as defined in subdivision (20) of section 21a-240, in connection
with a criminal arrest or pursuant to a search warrant without an arrest, the prosecuting
official of the court for the geographical area in which the criminal offense is alleged
to have been committed may petition the court for destruction of such controlled drug,
controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. After notice, by certified or registered mail
to the defendant and his attorney, and hearing on the petition, the court may order the
forfeiture and destruction of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia, under procedures and to the extent determined by the court, or order it delivered to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection as soon as possible. Such order shall
be in writing and shall provide for the analysis of representative samples of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. The results of such analysis
shall be recorded on a certificate signed by the person making the analysis, witnessed and
acknowledged pursuant to section 1-29. Such certificate shall be prima facie evidence
of the composition and quality of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug
paraphernalia.
(b) Upon final disposition of the criminal action or, if there is no criminal action,
at any time upon motion of the prosecuting official, the court shall order the destruction of
any controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia not previously destroyed
pursuant to an order under subsection (a) of this section, or order it delivered to the
Commissioner of Consumer Protection as soon as possible.
(c) The law enforcement agency seizing the controlled drug, controlled substance
or drug paraphernalia shall keep a full and complete record of the time and place where
such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia was seized, the kinds,
quantities and weight of drugs received, by whom the controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia were delivered and received and the date and manner of
destruction or disposition of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. Such record and the certificate of the results of the analysis shall be disclosed
only to attorneys of record in the case, the defendant and to federal and state officers
charged with enforcement of federal and state narcotic laws.
(P.A. 84-44, S. 1; P.A. 85-263, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 85-263 added references to controlled drug and amended Subsec. (b) by adding "or, if there is no criminal
action, at any time upon motion of the prosecuting official"; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of
Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189
repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and
Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.
Subsec. (a):
Requirement that certificate be prima facie evidence of composition and quality of controlled drug or substance would
be meaningless unless legislature had contemplated that destruction of drugs might take place before defendant's trial and
inserted it to ensure that said destruction would not provide defendant with simple way to avoid prosecution. 63 CA 138.
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Sec. 54-36h. Forfeiture of moneys and property related to illegal sale or exchange of controlled substances or money laundering. In rem proceeding. Disposition. (a) The following property shall be subject to forfeiture to the state pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section:
(1) All moneys used, or intended for use, in the procurement, manufacture, compounding, processing, delivery or distribution of any controlled substance, as defined
in subdivision (9) of section 21a-240;
(2) All property constituting the proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, from any
sale or exchange of any such controlled substance in violation of section 21a-277 or
21a-278;
(3) All property derived from the proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, from
any sale or exchange for pecuniary gain of any such controlled substance in violation
of section 21a-277 or 21a-278;
(4) All property used or intended for use, in any manner or part, to commit or facilitate the commission of a violation for pecuniary gain of section 21a-277 or 21a-278;
(5) All property constituting, or derived from, the proceeds obtained, directly or
indirectly, by a corporation as a result of a violation of section 53a-276, 53a-277 or
53a-278.
(b) Not later than ninety days after the seizure of moneys or property subject to
forfeiture pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, in connection with a lawful criminal
arrest or a lawful search, the Chief State's Attorney or a deputy chief state's attorney,
state's attorney or assistant or deputy assistant state's attorney may petition the court
in the nature of a proceeding in rem to order forfeiture of said moneys or property. Such
proceeding shall be deemed a civil suit in equity, in which the state shall have the burden
of proving all material facts by clear and convincing evidence. The court shall identify
the owner of said moneys or property and any other person as appears to have an interest
therein, and order the state to give notice to such owner and any interested person by
certified or registered mail, and shall promptly, but not less than two weeks after notice,
hold a hearing on the petition. No testimony offered or evidence produced by such owner
or interested person at such hearing and no evidence discovered as a result of or otherwise
derived from such testimony or evidence, may be used against such owner or interested
person in any proceeding, except that no such owner or interested person shall be immune
from prosecution for perjury or contempt committed while giving such testimony or
producing such evidence. At such hearing the court shall hear evidence and make findings of fact and enter conclusions of law and shall issue a final order, from which the
parties shall have such right of appeal as from a decree in equity.
(c) No property shall be forfeited under this section to the extent of the interest of
an owner or lienholder by reason of any act or omission committed by another person
if such owner or lienholder did not know and could not have reasonably known that
such property was being used or was intended to be used in, or was derived from, criminal
activity.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, no moneys or
property used or intended to be used by the owner thereof to pay legitimate attorney's
fees in connection with his defense in a criminal prosecution shall be subject to forfeiture
under this section.
(e) Any property ordered forfeited pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall
be sold at public auction conducted by the Commissioner of Administrative Services
or his designee.
(f) The proceeds from any sale of property under subsection (e) of this section and
any moneys forfeited under this section shall be applied: (1) To payment of the balance
due on any lien preserved by the court in the forfeiture proceedings; (2) to payment of
any costs incurred for the storage, maintenance, security and forfeiture of such property;
and (3) to payment of court costs. The balance, if any, shall be deposited in the drug
assets forfeiture revolving account established under section 54-36i.
(P.A. 86-404, S. 3, 4; P.A. 88-364, S. 71, 123; P.A. 89-269, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 88-364 amended Subsec. (b) by substituting "moneys" for "property"; P.A. 89-269 amended Subsec. (a)
to restructure provisions, to insert Subdiv. indicators, to replace in Subdiv. (2) "the proceeds of any sale of any such
controlled substance in violation of any provision of the general statutes" with "All property constituting the proceeds
obtained, directly or indirectly, from any sale or exchange of any controlled substance in violation of section 21a-277 or
21a-278", and to add Subdivs. (3), (4) and (5) re other property subject to forfeiture, amended Subsec. (b) to authorize the
"chief state's attorney or a deputy chief state's attorney, state's attorney or assistant or deputy assistant state's attorney"
rather than "the prosecuting official of the court for the geographical area in which the criminal offense is alleged to have
been committed" to petition the court "Not later than ninety days" after the seizure rather than "At any time" after the
seizure, to make provisions applicable to moneys "or property" seized, to require the seizure to be "in connection with a
lawful criminal arrest or a lawful search" rather than "in connection with a criminal arrest or pursuant to a search warrant
without an arrest", to change the state's burden of proof from a preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing
evidence, to require the court to identify the owner of the moneys or property and any person with an interest therein, and
to add provision prohibiting the use of certain testimony or evidence against the owner or interested person, added Subsec.
(c) re the forfeiture of property when the owner or lienholder has no knowledge of the criminal activity, added Subsec. (d)
re the forfeiture of moneys or property used or intended to be used to pay attorney's fees, added Subsec. (e) re the sale at
public auction of forfeited property, and added Subsec. (f) re the allocation of the proceeds from the sale of forfeited
property or any forfeited moneys; (Revisor's note: In 1995 the word "fund" in the phrase "drug assets forfeiture revolving
fund" was replaced editorially by the Revisors with the word "account" to conform section with Sec. 54-36i as amended
by P.A. 94-95).
Money found near drugs and seized at same time as arrest for violations of drug laws is not property subject to forfeiture
proceedings. 108 CA. 533.
Cited. 43 CS 203.
Subsec. (b):
Time limit in section is substantive and a jurisdictional prerequisite. 43 CS 203. P.A. 89-269 cited. Id.
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Sec. 54-36i. Drug assets forfeiture revolving account. Allocation of moneys.
(a) There is established and created an account of the General Fund to be known as
the "drug assets forfeiture revolving account" for the purpose of providing funds for
substance abuse treatment and education programs and for use in the detection, investigation, apprehension and prosecution of persons for the violation of the laws pertaining
to the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution or possession of controlled substances.
(b) The account shall consist of the proceeds from the sale of property and moneys
received and deposited pursuant to section 54-36h.
(c) Moneys in such account shall be distributed as follows: (1) Seventy per cent shall
be allocated to the Department of Public Safety and local police departments pursuant to
subsection (d) of this section, fifteen per cent of which shall be used for purposes of drug
education and eighty-five per cent of which shall be used for the detection, investigation,
apprehension and prosecution of persons for the violation of laws pertaining to the
illegal manufacture, sale, distribution or possession of controlled substances and for the
purposes of police training on gang-related violence as required by section 7-294l, (2)
twenty per cent shall be allocated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services for substance abuse treatment and education programs, and (3) ten per cent
shall be allocated to the Division of Criminal Justice for use in the prosecution of persons
for the violation of laws pertaining to the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution or possession of controlled substances.
(d) Expenditures from the account allocated to the Department of Public Safety and
local police departments shall be authorized by a panel composed of: (1) The Commissioner of Public Safety or his designee, (2) the commander of the state-wide narcotics
task force or his designee and (3) the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association or his designee. The panel shall adopt procedures for the orderly authorization of
expenditures, subject to the approval of the Comptroller. Such expenditures may be
authorized only to the Department of Public Safety and to organized local police departments within this state. Such expenditures shall be held by the Department of Public
Safety and the various organized local police departments in accounts or funds established for that purpose. In no event shall the expenditures be placed in a state or town
general fund and in no event shall the expenditures be used for purposes other than those
provided in subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section. The panel shall ensure the
equitable allocation of expenditures to the Department of Public Safety or any local
police department which participated directly in any of the acts which led to the seizure
or forfeiture of the property so as to reflect generally the contribution of said department
or such local police department in such acts. The panel shall authorize expenditures
from the account for the reimbursement of any organized local police department which
has used its own funds in the detection, investigation, apprehension and prosecution of
persons for the violation of laws pertaining to the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution
or possession of controlled substances and which makes application to the panel for
reimbursement.
(e) Moneys remaining in the drug assets forfeiture revolving account at the end of
a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund but shall remain in the revolving account
to be used for the purposes set forth in this section.
(P.A. 89-269, S. 2; P.A. 90-230, S. 95, 101; P.A. 91-406, S. 20, 29; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; 93-416, S. 9, 10; P.A. 94-95, S. 15; P.A. 95-257, S. 5, 58; P.A. 96-180, S. 162, 166.)
History: P.A. 90-230 corrected an internal reference in Subsec. (d); P.A. 91-406 confirmed the numbering of this
section as Sec. 54-36i, thereby correcting a typographical error; P.A. 93-381 replaced Connecticut alcohol and drug abuse
commission with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-416 amended Subsec.
(c)(1) to include police training on gang-related violence as another purpose for which fund moneys shall be used, effective
June 29, 1993; P.A. 94-95 changed name of fund from "drug assets forfeiture revolving fund" to "drug assets forfeiture
revolving account"; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with
Commissioner and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-180 amended
Subsec. (d)(3) to substitute "Connecticut Police Chiefs Association" for "Connecticut Chiefs of Police Association".
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Secs. 54-36j to 54-36l. Seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicle used in patronizing a prostitute. Innocent owner defense to forfeiture of motor vehicle used in
patronizing a prostitute. Release of motor vehicle seized in connection with arrest
for patronizing a prostitute; delivery or return of motor vehicle upon disposition
of prosecution. Sections 54-36j to 54-36l, inclusive, are repealed, effective October
1, 1997.
(P.A. 93-265, S. 3-5; 93-398, S. 1, 2; P.A. 96-180, S. 163, 166; P.A. 97-279, S. 3.)
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Sec. 54-36m. Impoundment of motor vehicle occupied by person arrested for
patronizing a prostitute from a motor vehicle. (a) Any police officer who arrests a
person for a violation of section 53a-83a shall cause the motor vehicle such person was
occupying at the time of the alleged offense to be impounded for a period of forty-eight
hours after such arrest, until such person is arraigned or until such motor vehicle is
released by order of the court, whichever occurs first.
(b) The owner of such motor vehicle may reclaim such motor vehicle after the
expiration of such forty-eight-hour period, the arraignment of the arrested person or the
issuance of a court order releasing such motor vehicle, as the case may be, upon payment
of all towing and storage costs, except that if the owner of such motor vehicle is a person,
firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of section 14-15, such owner may
reclaim such motor vehicle at any time upon payment of all towing and storage costs.
(P.A. 97-279, S. 1.)
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Sec. 54-36n. Identification and tracing of seized and recovered firearms. (a)
Whenever a law enforcement agency seizes a firearm in connection with a criminal
arrest or pursuant to a search warrant without an arrest or otherwise recovers a firearm,
such agency shall forthwith take all appropriate steps to identify and trace the history
of such firearm.
(b) In complying with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a law enforcement agency shall use the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms. Such law enforcement agency shall immediately transmit to the
National Tracing Center, by facsimile or by entering such information on the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing (COLLECT) System
when said system becomes available for transmitting such information directly to the
National Tracing Center, all information necessary to comply with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The Department of Public Safety shall take appropriate action to allow the COLLECT System to be used by law enforcement agencies in complying with the provisions
of this section.
(d) Whenever a firearm is identified and is determined to have been stolen, the law
enforcement agency shall return such firearm to the rightful owner thereof provided
such owner is not prohibited from possessing such firearm and such agency does not
need to retain such firearm as evidence in a criminal prosecution.
(P.A. 98-129, S. 3.)
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Secs. 54-37 to 54-39. Disposition of accused acquitted on ground of insanity.
Release of persons confined under order prior to October 1, 1959. Petition for
release. Disposition of insane person upon expiration of term. Sections 54-37 to 54-39, inclusive, are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 8749-8751; 1953, S. 3321d, 3322d; 1955, S. 3322d; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 150; 523, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 642,
S. 65, 84; February, 1965, P.A. 435, S. 2; 557; 1967, P.A. 261, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 129; P.A. 80-146.)
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Sec. 54-40. Transferred to Chapter 960, Sec. 54-56d.
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Sec. 54-40a. Transferred to Chapter 959, Sec. 54-1i.
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Sec. 54-41. Transferred to Chapter 890, Sec. 51-352c.
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