Connecticut Criminal Records
Connecticut Criminal Records, also known as rap sheets, are official papers containing information about a person's criminal history within the state. Generally, these records include information on arrests, convictions, and sentencing for various criminal offenses, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
Criminal records in Connecticut hold significant importance as they can provide valuable insights into an individual's past criminal behavior and activities. Law enforcement agencies, employers, landlords, and other organizations use these records to assess an individual's suitability for employment, housing, and other purposes.
State criminal records typically include a wide range of information, including the name, age, gender, and address of the person in question.
In addition, they contain details about the type of crime committed, the date and location of the offense, the arresting agency, and the disposition of the case. It may also include information about fines, probation, or jail time served due to the conviction.
These records are publicly accessible under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, meaning anyone can request them from the appropriate agency. However, certain restrictions apply to the release of this information.
For example, juvenile records are generally sealed, and only authorized individuals, such as law enforcement agencies or the courts, can access them.
Moreover, some records can be sealed or expunged, which entails their removal from public view and accessibility to solely authorized individuals.
What Are the Types of Crimes in Connecticut?
The information in Connecticut Criminal Records can vary depending on an individual's charges or convictions. The following are the types of crimes that may be present in someone's criminal history:
Felonies
In Connecticut, felonies are serious criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. When an individual commits a felony in Connecticut, the governing agency responsible for law enforcement will categorize it as either a capital felony, Class A, B, C, or D felony, or unclassified.
Capital Felonies
Connecticut's laws used to permit the imposition of the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for individuals convicted of capital felonies, such as murder, before 2012. However, in April that year, Connecticut abolished the death penalty for this offense.
Class A Felonies
Class A felonies are the second most severe offenses in Connecticut. Convictions of these crimes can result in imprisonment ranging from ten years to life and fines of up to $20,000. One example of this felony category is the sexual assault of a child under 12.
Class B Felonies
If someone is found guilty of a Class B felony in Connecticut, they may face a prison sentence ranging from one to 40 years and a fine of up to $15,000. Theft of property valued over $20,000 and first-degree manslaughter are some examples of Class B felonies in Connecticut.
Class C Felonies
Committing a Class C felony offense in Connecticut can result in a prison sentence of one to 10 years and fines of up to $10,000. Examples of Class C felonies are intimidating a witness and misrepresenting age to seduce a child.
Class D Felonies
In Connecticut, Class D felonies are the least severe type of felony offense carrying one to five years of imprisonment and fines of up to $5,000. First-degree threatening and promoting prostitution fall under this category.
Unclassified Felonies
In Connecticut, some crimes may result in an unclassified felony charge, and in such cases, the penalty for the offense will be specified in the statute that defines the crime.
Misdemeanors
In Connecticut, misdemeanors are criminal offenses that are less grave than felonies and are punishable by jail term for up to one year, fines, or both. The following misdemeanor classes are used to classify individuals with a misdemeanor record on their Connecticut Criminal Records:
Class A Misdemeanors
The most severe category of misdemeanors in Connecticut is Class A, which can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,000. Someone who commits prostitution and possesses a controlled substance is subject to these penalties.
Class B Misdemeanors
Committing Class B misdemeanors in Connecticut, such as third-degree stalking and embezzling $500–$1,000 property, can result in up to six months in jail and a fine of $1,000.
Class C Misdemeanors
Convictions of Class C misdemeanors in Connecticut carry a maximum jail term of three months and a fine of $500. Theft of an item valued at $500 or less is an example of an offense that is a Class C misdemeanor.
Class D Misdemeanors
In Connecticut, the least severe category of misdemeanors is Class D, which can result in a maximum jail term of 30 days and a fine of $250. Examples of offenses under this category include illegal tattooing and failure to return lost property.
Unclassified Misdemeanors
Unclassified misdemeanors in Connecticut are not associated with a specific penalty level. Instead, the punishment for such offenses is explicitly outlined in the statute that defines the particular crime.
How Does Probation Work in Connecticut?
Probation in Connecticut is a court-ordered program that allows convicted individuals to remain in the community instead of serving jail time. It helps Connecticut's criminal justice system minimize recidivism and encourage rehabilitation.
After being convicted of a criminal offense, a judge of the Superior Court can place a person on probation. The judge can order that the probation period begins during sentencing or after the person's release from incarceration.
If released from incarceration, the period of probation or conditional discharge for a Class B felony is not more than five years. For a Class C, D, or unclassified felony, it is not more than three years.
For a Class A misdemeanor, the probation is not more than two years, while for a Class B, C, or D misdemeanor, it is not more than one year. Probation for an unclassified misdemeanor is one year if the allowed jail term is six months or less or two years.
When an individual is placed on probation in Connecticut, they must typically comply with any or all conditions imposed by the court, such as regular check-ins with a probation officer, drug and alcohol testing, and attending counseling or treatment programs.
The specific needs of probation can vary depending on the individual's criminal history, the offense's severity, and the court's recommendations.
The probation officer assigned to an individual's case will work closely with them to ensure they meet their probation conditions and progress toward rehabilitation. They will monitor their compliance with court-ordered requirements, conduct home visits, and provide guidance and support to help them succeed on probation.
If an individual violates the conditions of their probation, they may face additional penalties, such as fines, community service, or even probation revocation.
How Does Parole Work in Connecticut?
Parole is a legal process allowing inmates to serve the remaining sentence outside of prison under certain conditions. However, not all inmates are eligible for parole in Connecticut. For example, those convicted of certain crimes, such as murder or sexual assault, may not be eligible for parole.
Additionally, inmates must serve a specific portion of their sentence before being eligible for parole. Only individuals with a definite sentence of at least two years and one day can be suitable for Connecticut parole. Before parole, these individuals must serve at least 50% of their effective sentence minus jail or risk reduction credits.
However, "violent offenders" must serve at least 85% of their total effective sentence, minus any jail credits, before they can be eligible for parole in Connecticut. For crimes committed after July 1, 2013, those required to serve at least 85% cannot have their parole eligibility date shortened by earned risk reduction credits.
When eligible for parole, inmates will attend a hearing before the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP). The BPP is a panel of appointed officials reviewing an inmate's case and deciding whether to grant parole.
If the BPP grants parole, the inmate will be released and subject to a set of conditions they must follow while on parole. These conditions may include attending counseling or substance abuse treatment, maintaining employment, and regularly reporting to a parole officer.
If inmates violate any of the parole conditions, they may be returned to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence. The BPP also has the authority to revoke parole if they believe the inmate is no longer suitable for release.
How Does Expungement Work in Connecticut?
Connecticut permits the erasure of criminal records through expungement, commonly known as an "absolute pardon." Once an individual is pardoned, all police and court records about their case will be deleted. The state will not provide information to requesters, including law enforcement.
Individuals accused and found not guilty, had their case dismissed, or had their case dropped 13 months ago are eligible for automatic expungement or pardon of their Connecticut Criminal Records. Moreover, those whose cases have been pending for 13 months without prosecution or other resolution are also eligible for expungement.
But suppose the arrest resulted in a clear conviction. In that case, an individual must wait three years for a misdemeanor conviction and five years for a felony conviction before they can petition for expunging their records.
Furthermore, the individual must not have any pending charges or other open cases in any jurisdiction (state or federal) and cannot be on probation or parole.
Expungement Process in Connecticut
The first step in the expungement process in Connecticut is to obtain and fill out the form for the Absolute Pardon application. One can get this form from the BPP.
In addition to the Absolute Pardon application, individuals must complete the "Background Investigation Authorization" form and identify three references who will complete the "Absolute Reference Questionnaire."
After completing these forms, individuals must obtain police records for any arrests that resulted in convictions during the last decade. If these records no longer exist, individuals must receive letters from the arresting police agency confirming this.
Additionally, individuals must collect and file a probation letter with the completion date, docket number, and probation status for each term served. The individual should also include any necessary or other documentation they want the Board to consider when reviewing their application, such as certifications or educational achievements.
To proceed with the expungement process in Connecticut, the applicant must provide evidence of their employment or sources of income, such as unemployment or disability payments, along with a copy of a state identification card or a valid driver's license.
Once the applicant completes all the required documents and forms, they can upload the application using the ePardons Portal or send it via mail to the BPP.
After submitting the application with the necessary documents, the Board staff will review the application to determine whether the individual will have an expedited review without a hearing or a conventional pre-screen.
If the individual meets the requirements for expedited review, they can grant the pardon without appearing. If the application goes to a full panel hearing, the individual must appear before the Board to argue why they deserve an absolute pardon.
If the application is unsuccessful, one can apply for a "Provisional Pardon," also called a "Certificate of Employability."
How To Obtain a Criminal Record in Connecticut
Local law enforcement agencies generally organize criminal records and publish them in public-access online repositories. However, the methods for a criminal record search may vary depending on the jurisdiction.
But the most efficient way to obtain Connecticut Criminal Records is through the State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI) of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). The State Police can provide access to most records by filling and submitting a Criminal History Record Request Form along with the appropriate fee.
The SPBI of the DESPP has two types of criminal record searches: a name-only search and a conviction history record search.
The division charges a smaller fee for a name-only search, which provides information on any criminal charges or arrests associated with the individual's name.
On the other hand, a conviction history record search costs a significant fee and provides information on any convictions or guilty pleas associated with the individual. This search can be name-based or fingerprint-based.
It's important to note that the records that the SPBI provides are unsuitable for purposes such as foreign adoption, visa requests, and immigration. These types of requests require additional documentation and are processed separately.
For those who desire to conduct a free public criminal record search, the Connecticut Judicial Branch's Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-up page is accessible. This search tool lets users query the database for criminal and motor vehicle case information.
What Are the Criminal Background Check Laws in Connecticut?
Connecticut has criminal background check laws regulating employers' use of criminal records when hiring. These laws balance the employer's right to hire qualified employees and the applicant's right to a fair chance at employment.
In addition to federal laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Connecticut has laws governing pre-employment background checks conducted by consumer reporting agencies (CRAs).
Before disclosing applicant criminal history information, CRAs are required by Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) 54-142(e) to verify with the state's Department of Justice to determine whether any records have been expunged. They cannot report criminal record information for expunged offenses and must ensure that the information they have is accurate.
Under CGS 31-51i, CRAs that issue reports containing criminal record information about an applicant must inform the applicant of the name and address of the employer who will receive the report containing the criminal record information. In addition, they must have procedures to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date.
In addition, individuals who have received an expungement order under CGS 54-142a can assert that they have never been convicted of a crime. This law prohibits employers from requesting information about erased, expunged, or pardoned records. It also prohibits CRAs from disclosing them.
Furthermore, CGS 31-35i prohibits employers from rejecting a candidate based solely on expunged records or those for which the candidate has received a provisional pardon or certificate of rehabilitation. If the employer chooses not to proceed with the applicant, the employer must provide written reasons, as per CGS 46a-80.