CHAPTER 960a*
YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS

      Sec. 54-76b. Youthful offenders: Definitions; applicability of interstate compact. (a) For the purposes of sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive:

      (1) "Youth" means (A) a minor who has reached the age of sixteen years but has not reached the age of eighteen years at the time of the alleged offense, or (B) a child who has been transferred to the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court pursuant to section 46b-127; and

      (2) "Youthful offender" means a youth who (A) is charged with the commission of a crime which is not a class A felony or a violation of section 14-222a, subsection (a) of section 14-224, section 14-227a or 14-227g, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21 or section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a or 53a-72b, except a violation involving consensual sexual intercourse or sexual contact between the youth and another person who is thirteen years of age or older but under sixteen years of age, and (B) has not previously been convicted of a felony in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court or been previously adjudged a serious juvenile offender or serious juvenile repeat offender, as defined in section 46b-120.

      (b) The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision under section 54-133 shall apply to youthful offenders.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 1; P.A. 79-581, S. 9; P.A. 81-472, S. 94, 159; P.A. 89-383, S. 15, 16; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-2, S. 7; P.A. 95-142, S. 5; 95-225, S. 33; P.A. 01-84, S. 20, 26; 01-211, S. 18; P.A. 03-243, S. 4; P.A. 05-232, S. 1; P.A. 08-32, S. 10.)

      History: P.A. 79-581 specified that those who have "been afforded a pretrial program for accelerated rehabilitation under section 54-76p" are not to be considered as youthful offenders; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 89-383 revised in part definition of "youthful offender" by replacing "a youth who has committed a crime or crimes which are not class A felonies" with "a youth who is charged with the commission of a crime which is not a violation of section 53a-70a or a class A felony"; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-2 included in the definition of "youth" a child who has been transferred to the regular criminal docket pursuant to Sec. 46b-127(a)(2); P.A. 95-142 redefined "youthful offender" to exclude a youth who is charged with the commission of a violation of Sec. 53-21(2) or of Sec. 53a-70, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a or 53a-72b; P.A. 95-225 redefined "youthful offender" to exclude a youth who has previously been adjudged a serious juvenile offender or a serious juvenile repeat offender and made a technical change; P.A. 01-84 replaced reference to "subdivision (2) of section 53-21" with "subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21", effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 01-211 inserted Subdiv. indicators and amended Subdiv. (1) to replace reference to "subdivision (2) of section 53-21" with "subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21" and to add exception re violation involving consensual sexual intercourse or sexual contact between the youth and another person who is 13 years of age or older but under 16 years of age; P.A. 03-243 replaced provision re Interstate Compact on Juveniles with provision re Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision under Sec. 54-133 and deleted "to the same extent as to minors below sixteen years of age"; P.A. 05-232 designated definitions as Subsec. (a) and made technical changes therein, redefined "youth" in Subsec. (a)(1) by adding provisions re age at time of the alleged offense and re docket of the Superior Court, redefined "youthful offender" in Subsec. (a)(2) by adding provision re felony conviction in regular docket of the Superior Court and deleting provisions re adjudication as a youthful offender and prior accelerated rehabilitation, and designated provision re applicability of interstate compact as Subsec. (b), effective January 1, 2006; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to redefine "youthful offender" by excluding a youth who is charged with a violation of Sec. 14-222a, 14-224(a), 14-227a or 14-227g, effective August 1, 2008.

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Overruled State v. Bell, 179 C. 98, in determining that an order denying youthful offender status is not an appealable final judgment. 192 C. 85. Cited. 205 C. 638. Cited. 240 C. 743.

      Cited. 6 CA 505. Cited. 8 CA 607. Cited. 20 CA 101.

      Cited. 30 CS 71. Since motor vehicle violations are specifically excluded from definition of an offense, and, therefore, from definition of a crime, negligent homicide with a motor vehicle is not a crime to which youthful offender status may be applied. 49 CS 170.

      Sec. 54-76c. Eligibility to be adjudged a youthful offender. Transfer of cases. (a) In any case where an information or complaint has been laid charging a defendant with the commission of a crime, and where it appears that the defendant is a youth, such defendant shall be presumed to be eligible to be adjudged a youthful offender and the court having jurisdiction shall, but only as to the public, order the court file sealed, unless such defendant (1) is charged with the commission of a crime which is a class A felony or a violation of section 14-222a, subsection (a) of section 14-224, section 14-227a or 14-227g, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21 or section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a or 53a-72b, except a violation involving consensual sexual intercourse or sexual contact between the youth and another person who is thirteen years of age or older but under sixteen years of age, or (2) has been previously convicted of a felony in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court or been previously adjudged a serious juvenile offender or serious juvenile repeat offender, as defined in section 46b-120. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, upon motion of the prosecuting official, the court may order that an investigation be made of such defendant under section 54-76d, for the purpose of determining whether such defendant is ineligible to be adjudged a youthful offender, provided the court file shall remain sealed, but only as to the public, during such investigation.

      (b) (1) Upon motion of the prosecuting official and order of the court, the case of any defendant who is a youth and is charged with the commission of a felony, other than a felony set forth in subsection (a) of this section, shall be transferred from the youthful offender docket to the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court, provided the court finds that there is probable cause to believe the defendant has committed the act for which he or she is charged. The defendant shall be arraigned in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court by the next court business day following such transfer, provided any proceedings held prior to the finalization of such transfer shall be private and shall be conducted in such parts of the courthouse or the building wherein court is located as shall be separate and apart from the other parts of the court which are then being held for proceedings pertaining to adults charged with crimes. The file of any case so transferred shall remain sealed until the end of the tenth working day following such arraignment, unless the prosecuting official has filed a motion pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, in which case such file shall remain sealed until the court makes a decision on the motion.

      (2) A prosecuting official may, not later than ten working days after such arraignment, file a motion to transfer the case of any defendant who is a youth and is charged with the commission of a felony, other than a felony set forth in subsection (a) of this section, from the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court to the youthful offender docket for proceedings in accordance with the provisions of sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive. The court sitting for the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court shall, after hearing and not later than ten working days after the filing of such motion, decide such motion.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 2; P.A. 98-81, S. 9; P.A. 05-232, S. 2; P.A. 08-32, S. 11.)

      History: P.A. 98-81 changed "information or complaint" to "court file"; P.A. 05-232 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same by replacing provisions re investigation of defendant for purpose of determining eligibility to be adjudged a youthful offender with provisions re presumption of eligibility, exceptions to eligibility and investigation to determine ineligibility to be adjudged a youthful offender, and added Subsec. (b) re transfer of cases, effective January 1, 2006; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to add violations of Sec. 14-222a, 14-224(a), 14-227a and 14-227g to list of violations to which presumption of eligibility and sealing of the court file does not apply, effective August 1, 2008.

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Cited. 188 C. 565. Cited. 192 C. 85.

      Cited. 8 CA 607.

      Cited. 30 CS 71. Because statutory benefits afforded to defendant under this section constitute a liberty interest in youthful offender status and the discretionary transfer of a youthful offender docket to regular criminal docket vests such liberty interest in eligible defendants, due process requires notice and hearing for court to determine independently whether such transfer is appropriate. 51 CS 342.

      Sec. 54-76d. Investigations. Determinations by court. Waiver of proceedings. (a) If the court grants a motion under subsection (a) of section 54-76c or if the court on its own motion determines that the defendant should be investigated under this section, and the defendant consents to physical and mental examinations, if deemed necessary, and to investigation and questioning, and to a trial without a jury, should a trial be had, the information or complaint shall be held in abeyance and no further action shall be taken in connection with such information or complaint until such examinations, investigation and questioning are had of the defendant. Investigations under this section shall be made by an adult probation officer. When the information or complaint charges commission of a felony, the adult probation officer shall include in the investigation a summary of any unerased juvenile record of adjudications of the defendant.

      (b) Upon the termination of such examinations, investigation and questioning, the court, in its discretion based on the severity of the crime, which shall also take into consideration whether or not the defendant took advantage of the victim because of the victim's advanced age or physical incapacity, and the results of the examinations, investigation and questioning, shall determine whether such defendant is eligible or ineligible to be adjudged a youthful offender. If the court determines that the defendant is eligible to be so adjudged, no further action shall be taken on the information or complaint and the defendant shall be required to enter a plea of "guilty" or "not guilty" to the charge of being a youthful offender. If the court determines that the defendant is ineligible to be so adjudged, it shall order the information or complaint to be unsealed and the defendant shall be prosecuted as though the proceedings under sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, had not been had.

      (c) If no motion is made by the prosecuting official under subsection (a) or (b) of section 54-76c or by the court under subsection (a) of this section, and the defendant consents to a trial without a jury, should a trial be had, no further action shall be taken on the information or complaint and the defendant shall be required to enter a plea of "guilty" or "not guilty" to the charge of being a youthful offender.

      (d) At any time prior to trial as provided in section 54-76e or at any time prior to entering a plea of "guilty" to the charge of being a youthful offender, the defendant, on motion and with the concurrence of the defendant's parent or guardian and the defendant's attorney, if any, may waive further proceedings under the provisions of sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, and request a trial by jury in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court. If the court, after making a thorough inquiry, is satisfied that such waiver is knowingly and voluntarily made, the court may grant such motion and order the information or complaint to be unsealed and the defendant shall be prosecuted as though the proceedings under sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, had not been had.

      (e) At any point, if the court determines that a defendant is ineligible to be a youthful offender, the court shall order the information or complaint to be unsealed and the defendant shall be prosecuted as though the proceedings under sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, had not been had.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 3; P.A. 77-362; P.A. 79-581, S. 10; P.A. 05-232, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 77-362 required consideration of whether or not defendant took advantage of victim because of victim's advanced age or physical incapacity in determining eligibility for youthful offender status in Subsec. (b); P.A. 79-581 amended Subsec. (a) to require inclusion of summary of unreleased juvenile record of adjudications in investigation where information or complaint charges commission of a felony; P.A. 05-232 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to motion under Sec. 54-76c(a) and making technical changes, amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re determination whether defendant is ineligible to be adjudged a youthful offender and making technical changes, and added Subsecs. (c) re procedure if no motion is made, (d) re waiver of further proceedings and (e) re determination of ineligibility at any point, effective January 1, 2006.

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Cited. 192 C. 85.

      Cited. 8 CA 607.

      Cited. 30 CS 71. Cited. 37 CS 755.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 188 C. 565.

      Subsec. (b):

      Cited. 188 C. 565.

      Sec. 54-76e. Trial to determine youthful offender status. If the defendant enters a plea of "not guilty" or if the court on its own motion so directs, the defendant shall be tried for the purpose of determining whether he shall be adjudged a youthful offender. The trial shall be held by the court without a jury.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 4.)

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Cited. 192 C. 85.

      Cited. 8 CA 607.

      Cited. 30 CS 71. Cited. 37 CS 755.

      Sec. 54-76f. Statements of defendant inadmissible. No statement, admission or confession made by the defendant to the court or to any person designated by the court to conduct the examinations, investigation and questioning referred to in section 54-76d shall ever be admissible as evidence against him or his interest, except that the court may take such statement, admission or confession into consideration at the time of sentencing such defendant, if the defendant has been adjudged a youthful offender, or has been found guilty of the crime charged in the information or complaint upon which the proceedings hereunder were based, or any subsequent crime.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 5.)

      Cited. 173 C. 414.

      Cited. 30 CS 71.

      Sec. 54-76g. Judgment of youthful offender status. If the defendant enters a plea of guilty to the charge of being a youthful offender or if, after trial, the court finds that he committed the acts charged against him in the information or complaint, the court shall adjudge the defendant to be a youthful offender and the information or complaint shall be considered a nullity and of no force or effect.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 6.)

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Cited. 190 C. 715.

      Cited. 8 CA 607. Cited. 21 CA 645.

      Cited. 30 CS 71.

      Sec. 54-76h. Proceedings private. Segregation of defendant in place of detention. Presence of victim at proceeding. (a) All of the proceedings had under the provisions of sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, shall be private and shall be conducted in such parts of the courthouse or the building wherein court is located as shall be separate and apart from the other parts of the court which are then being held for proceedings pertaining to adults charged with crimes. If the defendant is committed while any examination and investigation under section 54-76d is pending, before trial, during trial or after judgment and before sentence, those persons in charge of the place of detention shall segregate the defendant, to the extent of their facilities, from defendants over the age of eighteen years charged with crime.

      (b) In a proceeding under sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, the court shall not exclude any victim from such proceeding or any portion thereof unless, after hearing from the parties and the victim and for good cause shown, which shall be clearly and specifically stated on the record, the court orders otherwise. For the purposes of this subsection, "victim" means a person who is the victim of a crime for which a youth is charged, a parent or guardian of such person, the legal representative of such person or a victim advocate for such person under section 54-220.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 7; P.A. 05-169, S. 2; 05-232, S. 4; P.A. 10-43, S. 33.)

      History: P.A. 05-169 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), made technical changes therein and added Subsec. (b) re presence of victim at proceeding; P.A. 05-232 deleted exception for proceedings on motion under Sec. 54-76c, added reference to investigation under Sec. 54-76d and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2006; P.A. 10-43 amended Subsec. (b) to replace "an advocate appointed for such person pursuant to section 54-221" with "a victim advocate for such person under section 54-220".

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Cited. 189 C. 92 (Diss. Op.). Cited. 192 C. 85. Cited. 195 C. 303. Cited. 240 C. 743.

      Presence of parents during testimony of their minor child as a witness should be allowed during youthful offender proceedings with instruction given as to requirement of secrecy. Defendant's statutory right to privacy not absolute. 8 CA 607.

      Cited. 30 CS 71. Cited. 38 CS 675.

      Sec. 54-76i. Court powers over person of defendant. Pending and during the investigation, trial, adjudication or acquittal of the defendant, or any other proceedings under sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, the court having jurisdiction shall have the same powers over the person of the defendant as it would have in the case of an adult charged with crime.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 8; P.A. 05-232, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 05-232 replaced provision re court to which recommendation for investigation has been made with provision re court having jurisdiction, effective January 1, 2006.

      Cited. 173 C. 414.

      Cited. 30 CS 71.

      Sec. 54-76j. Disposition upon adjudication as youthful offender. (a) The court, upon the adjudication of any person as a youthful offender, may: (1) Commit the defendant; (2) impose a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars; (3) impose a sentence of conditional discharge or a sentence of unconditional discharge; (4) impose a sentence of community service; (5) impose a sentence to a term of imprisonment not greater than that authorized for the crime committed by the defendant, but in no event shall any such term exceed four years; (6) impose sentence and suspend the execution of the sentence, entirely or after a period set by the court; (7) order treatment pursuant to section 17a-699; or (8) if a criminal docket for drug-dependent persons has been established pursuant to section 51-181b in the judicial district in which the defendant was adjudicated a youthful offender, transfer the supervision of the defendant to the court handling such docket.

      (b) If execution of the sentence is suspended under subdivision (6) of subsection (a) of this section, the defendant may be placed on probation or conditional discharge for a period not to exceed three years, provided, at any time during the period of probation, after hearing and for good cause shown, the court may extend the period as deemed appropriate by the court. If the court places the person adjudicated to be a youthful offender on probation, the court may order that, as a condition of such probation, the person be referred for services to a youth service bureau established pursuant to section 10-19m, provided the court finds, through an assessment by a youth service bureau or its designee, that the person is in need of and likely to benefit from such services. If the court places a youthful offender on probation, school and class attendance on a regular basis and satisfactory compliance with school policies on student conduct and discipline may be a condition of such probation and, in such a case, failure to so attend or comply shall be a violation of probation. If the court has reason to believe that the person adjudicated to be a youthful offender is or has been an unlawful user of narcotic drugs, as defined in section 21a-240, and the court places such youthful offender on probation, the conditions of probation, among other things, shall include a requirement that such person shall submit to periodic tests to determine, by the use of "synthetic opiate antinarcotic in action", nalline test or other detection tests, at a hospital or other facility, equipped to make such tests, whether such person is using narcotic drugs. A failure to report for such tests or a determination that such person is unlawfully using narcotic drugs shall constitute a violation of probation. If the court places a person adjudicated as a youthful offender for a violation of section 53-247 on probation, the court may order that, as a condition of such probation, the person undergo psychiatric or psychological counseling or participate in an animal cruelty prevention and education program, provided such a program exists and is available to the person.

      (c) Commitment under this section shall be for a period not to exceed the term of imprisonment authorized for the crime committed by the defendant, but in no event shall any such period exceed four years, and shall be to any religious, charitable or other correctional institution authorized by law to receive persons over the age of sixteen years. Whenever a youthful offender is committed by the court to any duly authorized religious, charitable or other institution, other than an institution supported or controlled by the state or a subdivision thereof, such commitment shall be made, when practicable, to a religious, charitable or other institution under the control of persons of the same religious faith or persuasion as that of the youthful offender. If a youthful offender is committed by the court to any institution other than an institution supported or controlled by the state or a subdivision thereof, which is under the control of persons of a religion or persuasion different from that of the youthful offender, the court shall state or recite the facts which impel it to make such disposition, and such statement shall be made a part of the record of the proceedings.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 9; P.A. 78-17; P.A. 79-269; P.A. 94-136, S. 1; 94-221, S. 12; P.A. 95-225, S. 43; P.A. 97-248, S. 9, 12; P.A. 99-187, S. 6; P.A. 03-208, S. 4; P.A. 05-232, S. 6; 05-288, S. 226; P.A. 10-43, S. 26.)

      History: P.A. 78-17 replaced suspended sentence with imposition of conditional or unconditional discharge and authorized placement of defendant on probation for cases where sentence imposed but execution of judgment suspended where previously probation was authorized for suspended sentence as well; P.A. 79-269 authorized imposition of sentence of community service; P.A. 94-136 inserted Subsec. indicators, amended Subsec. (a) to add a new Subdiv. (5) authorizing the court to impose a sentence to a term of imprisonment not greater than that authorized for the crime committed by the defendant, renumber former Subdiv. (5) as Subdiv. (6) and authorize the court to suspend execution of the sentence "entirely or after a period set by the court" and add Subdiv. (7) authorizing the court to order treatment pursuant to Sec. 17a-656, amended Subsec. (b) to authorize the court to place the defendant on conditional discharge and amended Subsec. (c) to change the maximum period of commitment from three years to "the term of imprisonment authorized for the crime committed by the defendant"; P.A. 94-221 authorized requiring school and class attendance and compliance with school policies on student conduct and discipline to be a condition of probation and, in such a case, made failure to so attend and comply a violation of probation; P.A. 95-225 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision authorizing the court to order that as a condition of probation the person be referred for services to a youth service bureau if the court finds that the person is in need of and likely to benefit from such services; P.A. 97-248 amended Subsec. (a) to correct a statutory reference in Subdiv. (7) and add Subdiv. (8) to authorize the court to transfer the supervision of the defendant to the court handling the criminal docket for drug-dependent persons if such a docket has been established in the judicial district, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-187 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision authorizing the court to order as a condition of probation that the person participate in the zero-tolerance drug supervision program established pursuant to Sec. 53a-39d; P.A. 03-208 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change and add provision authorizing the court to order counseling or participation in an animal cruelty prevention and education program as a condition of probation for a person adjudicated as a youthful offender for a violation of Sec. 53-247; P.A. 05-232 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by adding provision re maximum term of four years, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re extension of probation for period not to exceed five years, including original probationary period, with provision re extension of period of probation or conditional discharge as deemed appropriate by the court after hearing and for good cause shown, amended Subsec. (c) by adding provisions re maximum period of four years and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2006; P.A. 05-288 made technical changes in Subsec. (b); P.A. 10-43 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision authorizing court to order as condition of probation that person participate in zero-tolerance drug supervision program.

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 190 C. 715. Cited. 240 C. 743.

      Only one penalty allowed upon his adjudication as a youthful offender in one or more matters. 8 CA 607.

      Conflict with section 18-75. 30 CS 71.

      Sec. 54-76k. Determination of youthful offender status not to disqualify for office, license, etc. No determination made under the provisions of sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, shall operate as a disqualification of any youth subsequently to hold public office or public employment, or as a forfeiture of any right or privilege to receive any license granted by public authority and no youth shall be denominated a criminal by reason of such determination, nor shall such determination be deemed a conviction.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 10.)

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 196 C. 122. Cited. 240 C. 743.

      Cited. 32 CA 687.

      Cited. 30 CS 71.

      Sec. 54-76l. Records or other information of youth to be confidential. Exceptions. (a) The records or other information of a youth, other than a youth arrested for or charged with the commission of a crime which is a class A felony or a violation of section 14-222a, subsection (a) of section 14-224, section 14-227a or 14-227g, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21 or section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a or 53a-72b, except a violation involving consensual sexual intercourse or sexual contact between the youth and another person who is thirteen years of age or older but under sixteen years of age, including fingerprints, photographs and physical descriptions, shall be confidential and shall not be open to public inspection or be disclosed except as provided in this section, but such fingerprints, photographs and physical descriptions submitted to the State Police Bureau of Identification of the Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety at the time of the arrest of a person subsequently adjudged, or subsequently presumed or determined to be eligible to be adjudged, a youthful offender shall be retained as confidential matter in the files of the bureau and be opened to inspection only as provided in this section. Other data ordinarily received by the bureau, with regard to persons arrested for a crime, shall be forwarded to the bureau to be filed, in addition to such fingerprints, photographs and physical descriptions, and be retained in the division as confidential information, open to inspection only as provided in this section.

      (b) The records of any such youth, or any part thereof, may be disclosed to and between individuals and agencies, and employees of such agencies, providing services directly to the youth, including law enforcement officials, state and federal prosecutorial officials, school officials in accordance with section 10-233h, court officials, the Division of Criminal Justice, the Court Support Services Division and a victim advocate under section 54-220 for a victim of a crime committed by the youth. Such records shall also be available to the attorney representing the youth, in any proceedings in which such records are relevant, to the parents or guardian of such youth, until such time as the youth reaches the age of majority or is emancipated, and to the youth upon his or her emancipation or attainment of the age of majority, provided proof of the identity of such youth is submitted in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Chief Court Administrator. Such records shall also be available to members and employees of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and employees of the Department of Correction who, in the performance of their duties, require access to such records, provided the subject of the record has been adjudged a youthful offender and sentenced to a term of imprisonment or been convicted of a crime in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court, and such records are relevant to the performance of a risk and needs assessment of such person while such person is incarcerated, the determination of such person's suitability for release from incarceration or for a pardon, or the determination of the supervision and treatment needs of such person while on parole or other supervised release. Such records shall also be available to law enforcement officials and prosecutorial officials conducting legitimate criminal investigations. Such records disclosed pursuant to this subsection shall not be further disclosed.

      (c) The records of any such youth, or any part thereof, may be disclosed upon order of the court to any person who has a legitimate interest in the information and is identified in such order. Records or information disclosed pursuant to this subsection shall not be further disclosed.

      (d) The records of any such youth, or any part thereof, shall be available to the victim of the crime committed by such youth to the same extent as the record of the case of a defendant in a criminal proceeding in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court is available to a victim of the crime committed by such defendant. The court shall designate an official from whom such victim may request such information. Information disclosed pursuant to this subsection shall not be further disclosed.

      (e) Any reports and files held by the Court Support Services Division regarding any such youth who served a period of probation may be accessed and disclosed by employees of the division for the purpose of performing the duties contained in section 54-63b.

      (f) Information concerning any such youth who has escaped from an institution to which such youth has been committed or for whom an arrest warrant has been issued may be disclosed by law enforcement officials.

      (g) The information contained in and concerning the issuance of any protective order issued in a case in which a person is presumed or determined to be eligible to be adjudged a youthful offender shall be entered in the registry of protective orders pursuant to section 51-5c and may be further disclosed as specified in said section.

      (h) The records of any youth adjudged a youthful offender for a violation of section 14-215 or 14-222, subsection (b) of section 14-223 or subsection (b) or (c) of section 14-224 shall be disclosed to the Department of Motor Vehicles for administrative use in determining whether suspension of such person's motor vehicle operator's license is warranted. The commissioner shall suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of such youth for six months for a first offense and one year for a second or subsequent offense. Such records disclosed pursuant to this subsection shall not be further disclosed.

      (i) The provisions of this section, as amended by public act 05-232, apply to offenses committed after January 1, 2006, and do not affect any cases pending on said date or any investigations involving offenses committed prior to said date.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 11; P.A. 76-333, S. 6; P.A. 77-486, S. 4, 5; 77-614, S. 486, 610; P.A. 80-165, S. 2; P.A. 81-472, S. 95, 159; P.A. 82-140, S. 2; P.A. 94-221, S. 16; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-2, S. 11; P.A. 95-225, S. 34; 95-261, S. 3; P.A. 98-81, S. 10; 98-256, S. 12; P.A. 99-215, S. 17; P.A. 00-209, S. 3; P.A. 02-132, S. 57; P.A. 04-234, S. 2; P.A. 05-232, S. 7; P.A. 06-196, S. 186; Jan. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-1, S. 24; P.A. 08-32, S. 12; P.A. 10-43, S. 34; 10-180, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 76-333 added the word "police" in agency designated as "state police bureau of identification"; P.A. 77-486 required that records be made available to judges and adult probation officers in connection with sentencing procedures; P.A. 77-614 made state police department a division within the department of public safety, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-165 added provision re availability of records to crime victims; P.A. 81-472 made technical corrections; P.A. 82-140 permitted disclosure of identity of person charged to the victim if victim intends to bring a civil action for damages or person is adjudged a youthful offender; P.A. 94-221 replaced alphabetic with numeric Subdiv. indicators and added Subdiv. (3) re the disclosure of the identity of a person who is adjudged a youthful offender to the superintendent of schools for the school district in which such person resides and limited the use of such information by the superintendent; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-2 added a new Subdiv. (3) re the availability to a state's attorney of records concerning a youth adjudged a youthful offender for the violation of certain firearm-related offenses, renumbering former Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (4); P.A. 95-225 substantially revised section by designating existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amending said Subsec. to specify that the records shall be confidential and not be disclosed except as provided in this section, delete former Subdivs. (1) to (4), inclusive, re exceptions to the prohibition on disclosure and delete provision that granted any institution to which a youth is committed the right to inspect any of the records of any person committed to it as a youthful offender without a court order, adding Subsec. (b) re disclosure of the records to certain individuals and agencies, adding Subsec. (c) re disclosure of the records to any person who has a legitimate interest therein upon order of the court and adding Subsec. (d) re availability of the records to the victim of the crime; P.A. 95-261 added Subsec. (b), designated by the Revisors as Subsec. (e), re disclosure of reports and files of Office of Adult Probation re youth adjudged youthful offender to Office of the Bail Commission; P.A. 98-81 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision that records be available to attorney representing youth, parent or guardian, until youth reaches age of majority or is emancipated, and to youth upon attainment of age of majority, provided proof of identity of such youth is submitted to court in accordance with guidelines prescribed by Chief Court Administrator; P.A. 98-256 amended Subsec. (b) to make provisions applicable to records of a youth adjudged a youthful offender "on or after October 1, 1995"; P.A. 99-215 amended Subsec. (b) by adding "emancipation or" and making a technical change; P.A. 00-209 added new Subsec. (f) authorizing the disclosure by law enforcement officials of information concerning a youth who has escaped from an institution or for whom an arrest warrant has been issued; P.A. 02-132 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical changes, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing "Office of Adult Probation, the Office of the Bail Commission" with "Court Support Services Division", amended Subsec. (e) by replacing "Office of Adult Probation" with "Court Support Services Division", replacing "disclosed to the Office of the Bail Commission" with "accessed and disclosed by employees of the division" and adding provision re youthful offender who served a period of probation and added Subsec. (g) re entry of information into registry of protective orders pursuant to Sec. 51-5c, effective January 1, 2003; P.A. 04-234 replaced Board of Parole with Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 05-232 amended Subsec. (a) by adding "or other information", replacing "any youth adjudged a youthful offender" with "a youth", adding exception for youth arrested for or charged with certain crimes and adding "or subsequently presumed or determined to be eligible to be adjudged", amended Subsec. (b) by replacing "any youth adjudged a youthful offender on or after October 1, 1995," with "any such youth" and making a technical change, amended Subsecs. (c), (d), (e) and (f) by replacing "any youth adjudged a youthful offender" with "any such youth", amended Subsec. (g) by replacing "found eligible" with "presumed or determined to be eligible" and added Subsec. (h) re applicability of amended section, effective January 1, 2006; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective June 7, 2006; Jan. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-1 amended Subsec. (b) to delete Board of Pardons and Paroles from existing list of service providing individuals and agencies to which records may be disclosed and add provision re availability of records to members and employees of Board of Pardons and Paroles and employees of Department of Correction, effective January 25, 2008; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that confidentiality provisions do not apply to records or other information of a youth arrested for or charged with the commission of a violation of Sec. 14-222a, 14-224(a), 14-227a or 14-227g, added new Subsec. (h) re disclosure to Department of Motor Vehicles of records of youth adjudged youthful offender for violation of Sec. 14-215, 14-222, 14-223(b) or 14-224(b) or (c), suspension of the operator's license of any such youth and prohibition on further disclosure, and redesignated existing Subsec. (h) as Subsec. (i), effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 10-43 amended Subsec. (b) to replace "an advocate appointed pursuant to section 54-221" with "a victim advocate under section 54-220"; P.A. 10-180 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re availability of records to law enforcement officials and prosecutorial officials conducting legitimate criminal investigations.

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Cited. 189 C. 92 (Diss. Op.). Cited. 192 C. 85. Cited. 240 C. 743.

      Cited. 34 CA 535.

      Cited. 30 CS 71. Cited. 33 CS 599. Cited. 38 CS 675.

      Sec. 54-76m. Age of defendant at time of crime controlling. The age of the youthful offender at the time of the commission of the crime set forth in the information or complaint shall determine whether he is entitled to the benefits provided by sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, and the provisions thereof shall apply to crimes committed prior, as well as subsequent, to October 1, 1971.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 12.)

      Cited. 173 C. 414.

      Cited. 30 CS 71.

      Sec. 54-76n. Application of criminal law. The provisions of titles 53, 53a and 54, including the right of appeal, shall apply to sections 54-76b to 54-76m, inclusive, insofar as they are applicable and not inconsistent herewith.

      (1971, P.A. 72, S. 13.)

      Cited. 173 C. 414.

      Cited. 30 CS 71.

      Sec. 54-76o. Erasure of police and court records of youthful offender. Whenever any person has been adjudicated a youthful offender and has subsequently been discharged from the supervision of the court or from the care of any institution or agency to whom he has been committed by the court, all police and court records pertaining to such youthful offender shall be automatically erased when such person attains twenty-one years of age, provided such person has not subsequent to being adjudged a youthful offender been convicted of a felony, as defined in section 53a-25, prior to attaining such age. Youthful offender status shall not be deemed conviction of a crime for the purposes of this section. Upon the entry of such an erasure order, all references including arrest, complaint, referrals, petitions, reports and orders, shall be removed from all agency, official and institutional files. The persons in charge of such records shall not disclose to any person, except the subject of the record, upon submission of satisfactory proof of the subject's identity in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Chief Court Administrator, information pertaining to the record so erased. No youth who has been the subject of such an erasure order shall be deemed to have been arrested ab initio, within the meaning of the general statutes, with respect to proceedings so erased. Copies of the erasure order shall be sent to all persons, agencies, officials or institutions known to have information pertaining to the proceedings affecting such youth.

      (1972, P.A. 20, S. 1; P.A. 77-486, S. 3, 5; P.A. 92-115, S. 1, 2.)

      History: P.A. 77-486 replaced provision which had required erasure of records pertaining to youthful offenders upon receipt of petition filed by youths, their parents or guardians if two years have elapsed from date of discharge with new provisions requiring automatic erasure when offenders reach 21 if they have not subsequently been convicted of a felony and specifying that youthful offender status is not deemed to be conviction of a crime; P.A. 92-115 added provision that records may be disclosed to subject of the record, upon submission of proof of identity in accordance with guidelines prescribed by chief court administrator.

      Cited. 173 C. 414. Cited. 179 C. 98. Cited. 183 C. 183. Cited. 189 C. 92 (Diss. Op.). Cited. 192 C. 85. Cited. 240 C. 743.

      Cited. 30 CS 71. Cited. 38 CS 675.

      Sec. 54-76p. Transferred to Chapter 960, Sec. 54-56e.

      Sec. 54-76q. Statement of victim regarding plea agreement or sentence. In a proceeding under sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, concerning the acceptance of a plea pursuant to a plea agreement entered into by a youth or the imposition of sentence upon such youth, the court shall permit any victim of the crime for which such youth is charged to submit a written statement for the record, or to appear before the court and make a statement for the record, regarding such plea agreement or sentence.

      (P.A. 05-169, S. 3.)