Topic:
MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS; LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; FELONIES; ARREST;
Location:
POLICE; TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS;

OLR Research Report


April 29, 2005

 

2005-R-0398

POLICE JURISDICTION AND SPEEDING

 

By: Christopher Reinhart, Senior Attorney

You asked whether a local police officer can give a speeding ticket to someone outside of their jurisdiction.

Local police in their town can arrest, without a warrant, any person for an offense when the person is taken or apprehended in the act or on the speedy information of others. Outside of their town, they can arrest someone (1) for a felony, without a warrant, at any time or (2) when in immediate pursuit from their town and they could legally arrest the person under their authority (CGS § 54-1f). A motor vehicle violation qualifies as an offense for purposes of this statute and an officer can pursue a person outside of his jurisdiction for a motor vehicle violation (State v. Harrison, 228 Conn. 758 (1994)).

CR:ts