Connecticut Arrest Records

On average, about 71,000 arrests are made annually in Connecticut, according to a recent report by the state's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Typically, out of these arrests, the state records about 16,000 for crimes against persons, 10,000 for crimes against property, at least 4,000 for crimes against society, and about 40,000 for group B offenses. In most years, simple assault, which is considered a crime against a person, accounts for the highest number of arrests at an average of 9,000, followed by disorderly conduct (about 8,000 annually), which is a Group B offense.

Connecticut boasts one of the states with reasonably low arrest rates in the United States. At its current position of 2,039.36 arrests per 100,000 people, the state's arrest rate is lower than the national average, which currently stands at 2,181.7 per 100,000 total population. However, Connecticut leads its neighboring states in the number of arrests made annually. While Rhode Island records about 2,019.14 arrests per 100,000 people yearly, New York makes 1,571 per 100,000 residents. Massachusetts has the least, at an estimated 1,205.76 arrests per 100,000 total population.

What Is an Arrest Under Connecticut Law?

Under Connecticut law, an arrest is the authority and power of a law enforcement officer to apprehend and deprive an individual of freedom so that such person may be brought before the court to respond to criminal charges. Generally, unless there is a pressing condition for an officer to make a warrantless, speedy arrest, an arrest procedure in the state begins with a prosecutor applying to the court for a warrant of arrest. When a person is arrested in Connecticut, they will be booked at the police station, and their fingerprints will be taken.

Per Section 53a-22 of Connecticut General Statutes, a law enforcement officer is justified in using physical force on a person to the extent they believe its use is necessary when effecting an arrest of such an individual whom they believe has committed an offense. However, according to Section 53a-23 of the state General Statutes, whether an arrest is legal or illegal, it is unjustifiable for anyone to use physical force to resist an arrest by an identifiable law enforcement officer. If a person is arrested and taken into custody in Connecticut, they must be arraigned no later than the first regularly scheduled court date after the arrest.

Type of Arrests in Connecticut

Most arrests executed in Connecticut are either warrant arrests or warrantless arrests. In Connecticut, state police generally have explicit authority to make arrests in all parts of the state. Also, local law enforcement officers are explicitly and statutorily authorized to act outside their jurisdictions to do the following:

• Execute arrest warrants for crimes committed within their respective jurisdictions
• Make valid misdemeanor or felony arrests in any part of the state when they are in immediate pursuit of an offender
• Make arrests without warrants for felonies

The arrest process in Connecticut typically begins when a crime is committed and reported to law enforcement. Afterward, law enforcement will respond to the crime, identify the charges, begin an investigation, and establish probable cause. Probable cause is the standard used in determining whether there is enough evidence to charge a crime suspect for their alleged criminal offense. It is a reasonable likelihood that the person suspected of a crime is the actual offender. Once probable cause is established, law enforcement either makes the arrest immediately or obtains an arrest warrant before making an arrest.

Warrantless Arrest

These arrests are generally made without previous complaints or warrants. Connecticut law, as stipulated in Section 54-1f of the state's General Statutes, specifies certain situations when law enforcement can make warrantless arrests or arrests without complaint, including the following:

• For offenses committed within their jurisdiction and either upon a speedy report by others or within the presence of law enforcement officers
• When there is a reasonable cause to believe that a person is committing or has committed a felony
• Arrest outside a law enforcement officer's jurisdiction if any of the following applies and the officer was in immediate pursuit when a suspect left their jurisdiction:
  • There are reasonable grounds to believe that the suspect has committed or is committing a felony
  • The suspect committed an offense in the jurisdiction either in the officer's presence or upon a speedy report by other persons

In these situations, a law enforcement officer is authorized to take a suspect into custody immediately after their arrest. Warrantless arrests are particularly effective in circumstances where arrests must be made immediately. However, the arresting officer needs to inform the suspect of their rights, including the right to stay silent and the right to an attorney.

Warrant Arrests

In Connecticut, a warrant arrest is made with a warrant, which is an order issued by the court authorizing law enforcement to execute an arrest suspected to have committed a crime. In most cases, a warrant is only needed if an individual did not commit a crime in the presence of an officer, but the officer has probable grounds to believe that the person indeed committed the offense. The court will only issue an arrest warrant if a law enforcement officer can demonstrate probable cause for the arrest. Typically, the officer will testify to a judge under oath about the reason for applying for the arrest warrant. Common information included in a Connecticut arrest warrant typically includes the following:

• The full name of the person accused of a crime or a description that best identifies them
• The issuing date
• The charges against the suspect/accused
• The court seal
• The signature of the issuing judge

Once an arrest warrant is issued in Connecticut, a law enforcement officer will take steps to arrest the person named on the warrant. Typically, once received from the court, a warrant of arrest is entered into the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing System ( COLLECT). Records Division personnel will then email all officers with the active warrant. The arrest warrant will be served once the suspect is located, followed by an arrest. A warrant arrest may be made during something trivial like a traffic stop. After the arrest, the suspect is brought before a judge for arraignment, during which the judge will inform the suspect of the charges levied against them.

What Are Connecticut Arrests Records?

Connecticut arrest records normally are documents detailing information on arrests, law enforcement interrogations, and detention of individuals within the state. Whether prosecuted or not, an arrest record is created once a person is arrested. Generally, crimes for which a person may be arrested in Connecticut include crimes against property, crimes against persons, and crimes against society. An arrest record in the state typically includes the following information:

• Full name of the arrest record subject, including aliases, if any
• The place, date, and time of the arrest
• Physical description of the arrestee, including height, tattoos, hair color, eye color, weight, and race
• The arrestee's date of birth
• The arrestee's gender
• Fingerprints
• Case number
• Mugshot/photograph
• The type of arrest (warrantless or warrant)
• The offense charged
• The arrest incident or police report, if a warrantless arrest
• Arrest warrant application details, including the affidavit filed in support of the warrant, if a warrant arrest
• Booking details

Any details that law enforcement agencies believe will compromise their investigation or trial are typically not included in a Connecticut arrest record. In addition, information such as the identity of victims and witnesses is often excluded from arrest records. Interested members of the public may obtain Connecticut arrest records by contacting the local law enforcement agencies that made those arrests, as most arrests are made at the city and county levels. As a result, the police departments and county sheriffs are the primary custodians of arrest records made within their jurisdictions.

There is generally a sharp contrast between an arrest record and a criminal record. Although an arrest record is an integral part of a criminal record, it does not represent a person's entire criminal history. Also, not all arrests end in charges or convictions. In Connecticut, a criminal record is the detailed documentation of a person's contact with local or state law enforcement and the court system. It is sometimes called a RAP sheet, short for Record of Arrests and Prosecutions. An arrest record does not necessarily mean that the person named on the record was found guilty of the offense charged. However, a criminal record indicates that an individual was at least tried in court for committing a criminal offense, whether convicted or not.

How Can Arrest Records Be Accessed in Connecticut?

Unless sealed or restricted by law, most arrest records in Connecticut are public records per Section 1-215 of the state's General Statutes. According to this law, any record of arrest in the state is considered a public record from the time the arrest was made and must be disclosed upon request. In addition, no law enforcement agency may redact any record of an individual's arrest except for the following:

• The name, address, or any other identifying details of any sexual assault victim
• The identity of witnesses to an arrest
• Any arrest information that a court has ordered sealed from public disclosure or inspection
• Certain information about a crime whose disclosure law enforcement reasonably believes may prejudice a prospective law enforcement action or a pending prosecution

Only authorized persons, such as law enforcement officers and individuals who have obtained court orders, may access sealed arrest records or those restricted by the court. Members of the public may access publicly available arrest records in Connecticut in the following ways:

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP)

Records of some arrests made in Connecticut may be accessed by requesting criminal history records from the State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI) of the DESPP. Generally, arrest records are a part of criminal records. So, when someone obtains a criminal record, they may extract the arrest information. The result of a criminal history record search from the State Police Bureau of Identification is based on fingerprint card submission or name and date of birth.

The DESPP only allows mail requests for criminal history records checks. Anyone interested in obtaining a Connecticut criminal history report, hence arrest record, from the SPBI should mail a completed Criminal History Record Request Form to the DESPP at:

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

State Police Bureau of Identification

111 County Club Road

Middletown, CT 06457-2389

Department of Corrections

The Connecticut Department of Corrections (CDOC) maintains an Offender Information Search System containing details of offenders currently incarcerated with the department. Interested persons may search the system with inmates' numbers or the first few letters of their last names to retrieve better search results. Typical search results will include mugshots, offenders' full names, controlling offenses (charges), and date of birth, which are largely a part of the state's arrest records. The search results will also contain inmates' current incarceration statuses, which, however, do not necessarily mean they have been convicted of their crimes. Note that the DCOC facility also holds suspects who are currently awaiting trials.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Local law enforcement agencies, including county sheriff's offices and local police departments, are primary sources for arrest records for all arrests made in Connecticut counties and municipalities. While most agencies allow mail and in-person requests, some local county sheriffs and police departments maintain online resources that enable interested persons to access records of arrests made by them. For instance, the Daily Arrest Log, which is managed and updated regularly by the Hartford City Police Department, lists records of each arrest made within the city.

Courts

Most Connecticut courts and judicial branch facilities also hold information on arrest records, especially for arrests made by warrants and for arrests that led to trials. If looking to obtain arrest record information from a court, contact the court clerk's office for detailed instructions on how to make the request. Most courts accept requests made in person or by mail.

How Long Will an Arrest Report Stay on Your Connecticut Records?

Typically, Connecticut arrest records, particularly those that led to convictions, are permanent records and will remain on a person's records if not expunged. Under state law, the court automatically expunges or erases arrest records of individuals whose charges were dismissed or found not guilty after a certain period. Typically, an arrest record for a case in which the charges were dropped and at least 13 months have passed is eligible for automatic expungement. Similarly, the arrest records in matters put on hold and at least 13 months have passed are automatically erased without having to file expungement petitions. However, where they are not automatically erased, the record owners may file to have them expunged.

Can You Expunge Your Arrest Records in Connecticut?

Yes, some arrest records may be expunged in Connecticut. Expungement is commonly referred to as erasure or absolute pardon in the state. According to Section 54-14 of the Connecticut General Statutes, individuals with certain arrest records in the state may have such records expunged or erased. Arrest reports in misdemeanor and felony convictions are eligible for expungement in the state. Generally, while misdemeanor convictions are eligible for absolute pardon after 3 years have passed since the disposition of the most recent conviction, felony convictions may only be erased after 5 years have passed since disposition.

The following documents are required to request an arrest record expungement in Connecticut:

• A copy of a valid driver's license or state ID is required.
• Proof of income. Employment evidence such as the most recent W-2, most recent paystub, or disability benefits statement is acceptable.
• State police criminal history report dated within 1 year of the date of submitting an expungement request. Applicants may pre-enroll on the CCHRS (Connecticut Criminal History Request System). This costs $75, which must be paid to the State Police Bureau of Identification. Pre-enrollment will generate a barcode, which the applicant needs to get their fingerprints done at any local police department.
• Police report(s) for arrests that occurred in the previous 10 years and translated into a conviction. If there are no arrests within this period, the applicant should obtain a letter from the arresting law enforcement agency stating there were no arrests.
• Notarized Background Investigation Authorization Form.
• A letter from adult probation (for any applicant who has ever served a probation period)
• At least three Absolute Pardon Reference Questionnaire Forms (only one may be completed by a family member related to the applicant by marriage or blood).

To request an arrest record erasure in Connecticut, an applicant must prepare all the required documents in digital forms and in acceptable formats (.pdf, .jpeg, or .png format is acceptable). Afterward, they may initiate the request on the ePardon Portal maintained by the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles (BOPP). Once an applicant initiates their electronic application, they have up to 6 months to complete it, and requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is Citizen's Arrest Legal in Connecticut?

Yes, it is not illegal to make a citizen's arrest in Connecticut. This is a type of arrest in which a private individual detains someone they reasonably suspect has committed a criminal offense. It is, however, essential to be careful when making a citizen's arrest in the state. If the person making such an arrest fails to meet all the legal requirements for that arrest, it may be deemed a false arrest, which generally has severe legal consequences.

State law allows a private citizen to make an arrest if they reasonably believe that the suspect has committed an offense or if the person being arrested has indeed committed the offense. The Connecticut General Statutes, Section 53a-22, authorizes a private individual to use reasonable force when making a citizen's arrest to the extent they reasonably believe is necessary to make the arrest. It is often recommended to immediately deliver a suspect to a law enforcement officer after making a citizen's arrest in Connecticut.

How to Look Up Arrest Warrants in Connecticut

Records of arrest warrants are considered public records in Connecticut and may be inspected or copied as permitted by state law. An arrest warrant is an order issued by a judge or any other judicial authority authorizing an officer of a law enforcement agency to arrest the individual named on the warrant for the offense listed.

Information about arrest warrants issued in Connecticut may be accessed using any of the means listed below:

Connecticut Judicial Branch

The state's Judicial Branch operates an Arrest Warrant Search System that enables anyone to access or find information on arrest warrants for orders to incarcerate and violation of probation or failure to appear. The system is regularly updated to reflect all outstanding arrest warrants for the kinds of warrants maintained on it. Interested persons may search for arrest warrant information on this portal with parameters like the name of the individual named on the warrant, the location of the court where it was issued, the town, or a combination of all three.

Law Enforcement Agencies

The local county sheriff's offices and local police departments in Connecticut are generally good places to find and access arrest warrants because they are responsible for executing them. If a requester has details of the exact agency that made an arrest (if it was a warrant arrest), they should contact them on how best to obtain information about the warrant. Law enforcement agencies will largely accept mail and/or in-person requests. Some sheriff's offices and local police departments also maintain online resources listing information about active arrest warrants in their custody.

Courts

The courts issue arrest warrants, and the clerks are primarily responsible for keeping copies of such documents on file. Hence, anyone interested in accessing a Connecticut arrest warrant from the court should identify the issuing court and then contact the clerk to obtain the required information or document. Depending on the county, they may be able to make their request in person, by mail, or online.