Connecticut Arrest Records
Connecticut Arrest Records contain information about a person's arrest history, detention, and police interrogation regarding criminal acts or occurrences. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and other criminal justice agencies create these records due to an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system.
Every arrested individual in the state has a record, whether prosecuted or not. However, an arrest record does not represent a person's criminal history. The reason is that many arrests don't end in charges or convictions. Thus, despite an arrest record, a defendant may be acquitted.
Arrest records in Connecticut typically include the name of the person arrested, their birth date, their fingerprints and mugshots, the date and location of the arrest, the charges filed against them, and information about their criminal history. They may also contain details about any court proceedings related to the arrest, including the case's outcome.
The information in the state arrest records can be helpful in various contexts. For example, employers may use these records as part of a background check when hiring new employees. Landlords may also use them to screen potential tenants.
Furthermore, law enforcement agencies may consult arrest records to investigate a new crime or to identify suspects in an ongoing investigation.
Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, arrest records in the state are public information, and anyone can request access to them.
However, the law also specifies that certain information must be redacted or withheld from public disclosure, including the names of victims and witnesses and any information that could jeopardize an ongoing investigation.
In addition, Connecticut law allows individuals arrested or charged with a crime to petition to have their arrest record expunged under certain circumstances. When expunged, the court removes the history from public view and is treated as though it never existed.
What Laws Govern Arrests in Connecticut?
Connecticut, like any other state in the U.S., has a set of laws that govern arrests. The laws in Connecticut that guide arrests include the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Title 54 or the Connecticut Criminal Procedure and the U.S. Constitution.
According to state laws, an arrest occurs when a law enforcement officer in Connecticut takes a person into custody to charge them with a crime.
Before an arrest occurs, the law enforcement officer must have reasonable or probable cause to believe that the subject of the arrest has committed a crime. Additionally, the officer must have a warrant or be authorized to arrest without one.
The Code of Criminal Procedure frames the procedures that law enforcement officers must follow during an arrest, including the use of force, how an arrest must be made, and the protection of the rights of the arrested subject.
These laws ensure that law enforcement officers conduct arrests fairly and justly while protecting the arrestee's rights.
Finally, the U.S. Constitution provides the basis for protecting individual rights during an arrest. Specifically, the U.S. Fourth Amendment states that citizens in Connecticut have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. This amendment ensures that law enforcement officers cannot arrest someone without a valid reason or probable cause.
What Is the Arrest Booking Process in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, the arrest booking process occurs when law enforcement officials arrest a person. This process involves several steps to ensure the arrestee is identified, processed, and held accountable for their alleged criminal activity.
While the arrest booking process may differ depending on the jurisdiction, the following are the standard steps involved in Connecticut's arrest booking process:
The Initial Arrest
The first step in the arrest booking process in Connecticut is the initial arrest. When law enforcement officials believe someone has committed a crime, they arrest them and take them into custody. During the arrest, law enforcement officials will read the arrestee their Miranda rights, including the right to legal representation and the right to remain silent.
Identification and Processing
After law enforcement officials take the arrestee into custody, they bring them to a law enforcement facility for identification and processing. This step includes capturing the arrestee's fingerprints, photographs, and personal information, which are then entered into the law enforcement database to create Connecticut Arrest Records.
Medical Evaluation and Search
Once law enforcement officials process the arrestee, they will subject them to a medical evaluation to confirm their health status and ascertain if they require medical attention. Furthermore, they will search the arrestee's person and belongings for contraband or evidence of the alleged crime.
Booking and Detention
After the medical evaluation and search, law enforcement officials will book and detain the arrestee. This step requires placing the arrestee in a holding or jail cell until their arraignment. Additionally, the arrestee will receive a copy of their charges, and their bail will be set.
Arraignment
The final step in the arrest booking process in Connecticut is the arraignment. During the arraignment, the arrestee will appear before a judge, who will read the charges against them and ask for their plea. If the arrestee pleads guilty, the judge will sentence them. The judge will set a trial date if the arrestee pleads not guilty.
What Are Connecticut Mugshot Records?
Often part of the Connecticut Arrest Records, mugshot records are booking photographs, taken by law enforcement authorities, of individuals arrested and charged with a crime.
Mugshots typically include a frontal view of the individual's face. They may also have a profile view and identifying information such as the person's name, age, height, weight, and the details of their alleged crime.
Connecticut Mugshot Records are generally considered public records, which means they are available to anyone who requests them. Connecticut law enforcement agencies usually maintain mugshot records of those they arrest, and individuals can access these records via several channels, including public records requests, court records, and online databases.
Individuals can access Connecticut Mugshot Records through various sources by requesting Connecticut arrest or criminal records. The State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI) of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is one such source.
At the same time, the Connecticut Judicial Branch (CJB) is responsible for maintaining some criminal court records that may contain mugshots.
Furthermore, the Connecticut Department of Corrections (CDOC) maintains inmate records that include mugshots. These records are accessible online by conducting an Offender Information Search through the CDOC's website.
Note that while Connecticut Mugshot Records are generally public, individuals who have had their charges dropped or acquitted of their charges may be able to have their mugshot records removed from public view.
How Long Does an Arrest Record Stay in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, an arrest record can have long-lasting effects on an individual's life. It can impact their ability to get a job, obtain housing, and even hinder their chances of getting accepted into college. It is essential to know how long an arrest record will stay on their record, as this can vary depending on the arrest circumstances.
Under Connecticut law, an arrest record that led to a conviction will remain on a person's record indefinitely unless expunged. However, if a court dismisses the charges or finds an individual not guilty, the court automatically erases the arrest record from their criminal history after a certain period.
How To Expunge an Arrest Record in Connecticut
A person's criminal or arrest record can create numerous obstacles in their life. It is unfair for a person's existence to be defined by a criminal case, regardless of whether it resulted in an indictment or a conviction. Consequently, CGS 54-142a permits the expungement of certain arrests or criminal records.
Under this law, individuals can have their Connecticut Arrest Records erased through expungement, also known as an "absolute pardon." This process deletes all police and court records of the individual's case. In this legal proceeding, the state will not disclose information about the case to anyone, including law enforcement.
Generally, those accused but found not guilty, had their case dismissed, or had their case dropped 13 months ago are eligible for automatic expungement or pardon of their arrest records. Additionally, those whose cases have been pending for 13 months without prosecution or resolution are also eligible for expungement.
However, suppose an individual has a clear conviction resulting from the arrest. In that case, they must wait three years for a misdemeanor conviction and five years for a felony conviction before petitioning for expungement. Moreover, they must not have any pending charges or open cases in any jurisdiction (state or federal) and must not be on probation or parole.
Arrest Expungement Process in Connecticut
Once eligible, individuals can request their arrest or criminal records expunged. In Connecticut, the expungement process involves several steps, including obtaining police records, completing necessary forms, and submitting them for review by the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP).
Below is an overview of the essential steps involved in the expungement process in Connecticut:
Obtaining and Completing the Absolute Pardon Application Form
The first step to initiate the expungement process is to acquire the Absolute Pardon application form, which is available from the BPP. After obtaining the form, individuals must fill it out in its entirety.
Completing the Background Investigation Authorization Form and Absolute Reference Questionnaire
Apart from the Absolute Pardon application form, individuals must complete the "Background Investigation Authorization" form and provide the contact details of three references who will fill out the "Absolute Reference Questionnaire." This step involves identifying three people who can offer references for evaluation in the expungement process.
Obtaining Police Records and Probation Letters
After completing the required forms, individuals must obtain their police records for any convictions resulting from arrests made in the past decade. If these records are no longer available, individuals must obtain confirmation letters from the arresting police agency.
In addition to the above, individuals must gather and file a probation letter that includes the completion date, docket number, and probation status for each term served.
Provide Proof of Identity and Income
In the expungement process in Connecticut, the applicant must also provide proof of employment or sources of income, such as unemployment or disability payments. A copy of a state identification card or a valid driver's license is also required.
Write a Personal Statement and Include Additional Documentation
To persuade the Board to grant their application, the applicant can draft a personal statement outlining their positive achievements, such as community involvement, charitable services, or law-abiding behavior. They may also include any other relevant documentation supporting their case.
Submit the Complete Application
After the applicant completes all the required documents and forms, they can either upload the application using the ePardons Portal or mail it to the BPP.
The Review Process
After an individual has completed the application and submitted all the necessary documents, the Board staff will review the application to assess whether the individual qualifies for an expedited review without a hearing or a conventional pre-screen. Non-violent crimes with no victims of interest may be eligible for expedited review.
Expedited Review and Full Panel Hearing
If the individual meets the requirements for expedited review, they can grant the pardon without appearing. In an expedited review, the Board can award an absolute pardon, refuse the application, or forward it to a full panel hearing.
However, if the application goes to a full panel hearing, the individual must appear before the Board to argue why they deserve an absolute pardon.
In case of an unsuccessful application, the applicant can apply for a "Provisional Pardon," also known as a "Certificate of Employability."
How To Search Connecticut Arrest Records
By submitting a request for a criminal history record, interested parties can obtain Connecticut Arrest Records from the SPBI. A person's illicit activities are in criminal history records, and the needed record may be the searcher's or someone else's criminal history.
Connecticut permits only manual searches, and interested parties may do a name or date of birth search that validates the existence of a criminal record but does not offer a copy or one that provides a copy if one exists. It is also possible to conduct a fingerprint search that yields a criminal history report if available.
The interested party must print or access the Criminal History Record Request Form to commence the inquiry. Select the desired category of background check and complete the remaining fields with pertinent information.
If the searcher desires a fingerprint-based search, they must pay a small fee and visit a State Police location in Connecticut to obtain a fingerprint card with the record holder's fingerprint.
After filling out the form, prepare the appropriate payments by check or money order made payable to the Treasurer-State of Connecticut. Using a single check rather than multiple checks to pay for an inquiry involving multiple subjects is preferable.
Upon completing all the requirements, send them to the DESPP-SPBI mailing address provided in the form.
Those interested in obtaining free arrest records in Connecticut must contact the SPBI directly. In addition, Connecticut courts provide free access to these records but charge nominal fees for photocopying, certification, etc.