Judiciary Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING THE TIME LIMITATION FOR PROSECUTING A MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATION OR OFFENSE THAT RESULTS IN THE DEATH OF ANOTHER PERSON
SUMMARY: This act eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting someone for a motor vehicle violation or crime when the (1) violation or offense resulted in another's death and (2) person evaded responsibility in an accident involving serious physical injury or death.
Under the circumstances covered by the act, an offender may be charged with a number of crimes. The act eliminates the statute of limitations that would ordinarily apply to these crime, which require the state to prosecute (1) misdemeanors (which are punishable by up to one year in prison) within one year of the offense and (2) most felonies (which are punishable by at least one year in prison) within five years. By law, certain offenses, such as murder and other class A felonies, do not have any statute of limitations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2014
BACKGROUND
Evading Responsibility After Causing Serious Injury or Death
A driver knowingly involved in an accident that causes serious physical injury to or the death of another must immediately stop; render necessary aid; and provide his or her name, address, and driver's license and registration information to the injured person, a police officer, or a person who witnessed the death or serious injury. If unable to do so for any reason, the driver must immediately inform the police (CGS § 14-224(a)).
Evading responsibility where a death or serious physical injury occurs is punishable by one and 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both (CGS § 14-224(f)).
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