Criminal Law in Connecticut
To find a Connecticut criminal defense lawyer, enter “How to find a Connecticut Criminal Defense Attorney” into your favorite search engine.
- Once you get the lawyer’s name and number, call right away. Consultations are free.
- If you or a loved one has been arrested for a crime in Connecticut, the stakes are too high to take a “wait and see”approach.
If you or are researching Connecticut criminal law,this article was written for you. We’ll discuss:
- Connecticut criminal laws;
- What you need to know about criminal defense in Connecticut; and
- How to work with your Connecticut criminal defense attorney.
Connecticut Criminal Laws
Crime
The goal of criminal laws is to protect individuals, animals, and society. Actions or inactions that are considered to be dangerous are criminalized. Connecticut criminal laws are found in the Connecticut Penal Code – that is Title 53 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
- In an effort to rehabilitate, punish, provide restitution, and protect individuals and society, punishments are handed down if an individual is convicted of a crime.
- To be convicted of a crime, an individual must either plead guilty (usually as part of a plea bargain) or be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
There are many crimes listed in the Penal Code, including elder abuse, DUI, child neglect, identity theft, computer crimes, arson, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, theft, identity theft, weapons possession, rape, reckless driving, hit and run, and drug possession and sale.
Statute of Limitations
Criminal charges must be brought within a certain period of time. These time limits vary significantly from state to state.
For example, in Connecticut, the statutes of limitations are relatively short. For example, the time limit for:
- Theft is 1 year (Conn. Gen. Stat. В§54-193(b)).
- Burglary is 1 year (Conn. Gen. Stat. В§54-193(b)).
- Disordering Conduct is 1 year (Conn. Gen. Stat. В§54-193(b)).
If the statute of limitations has passed in your criminal defense case, the charges will never be brought or will be dropped. Ask your criminal law attorney what the statute of limitations is in your particular case.
Punishment
If you’re like most people, the threat of criminal punishment is at the forefront of your mind. For example, these are questions criminal defense lawyers answer every day: “What happens next?” “Will I go to prison? If so, will it be a county prison or a state prison?” “Does Connecticut have the death penalty?”
Your attorney will analyze the charges against you and the circumstances of the alleged crime; he or she will let you know what punishment you can expect, if convicted.
For example, in Connecticut, crimes are broken down into felonies (serious crimes) classes and misdemeanor (serious, but less serious than felonies) classes. The associated punishments are related to the seriousness of the crime.
For example, in Connecticut,
- Life in prison or the death penalty is the punishments for capital murder. There are other classes of murder and homicide as well. These have serious, but less severe penalties.
- First degree stalking is a Class D felony and is punishable by between 1 and 5 years in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.
- Violation of a protective order is a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in jail and up to $2,000 in fines.
Your punishment will be based upon the Connecticut sentencing guidelines and the totality of the circumstances of the crime. Probation, fines, community service, counseling, and educational awareness programs may be part of any criminal sentence.
What You Need to Know About Criminal Defense
Bottom line: Get help from a Connecticut criminal defense attorney.
- Why do you need a CT defense attorney?
- Some people think they’re guilty, but legally aren’t guilty;
- Individuals, who are innocent, are sometimes convicted if they don’t have a zealous and effective defense; and
- Sentences can be reduced with strong advocacy of mitigating circumstances.
- Ask the police if you can leave the station or wherever you are.
- If they respond, “yes”, leave; if they say, “no”, ask for an attorney.
- If you are not permitted to leave, you have been arrested, even if the words haven’t been spoken and you haven’t been read your Miranda rights.
- Even if you think something will make you look bad, disclose it to your attorney.
How to Work with a Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyer
Throughout your representation, you need to be your own advocate and team player. Be on your best behavior and:
- When your lawyer gives you advice, take it.
- Be completely honest and open with your defense lawyer.
- Even if you think something will make you look bad, disclose it.(Your conversations are kept confidential. It’s the law.)
- Return all telephone phone calls from your lawyer’s office promptly.
- Provide all requested information promptly.
- Stay in contact with your defense lawyer’s office. Update your address and phone number, if either changes.
- To get all the facts, formulate your defense, or prepare you for court, your attorney may ask your difficult questions or challenge you. That’s okay.
- To put forth your best interest, your attorney may be polite and cooperative with the alleged victims, witnesses, police officers, investigators, and the prosecutor. That’s okay.
Bottom Line: You need individualized advice and aggressive legal representation.
Your Connecticut criminal defense attorney will help you immediately, protecting your legal rights and formulating strong defense strategies. Your next step is to call for legal representation.
