Connecticut Court Records

The Connecticut court system is structured into four tiers: the probate court, the trial court of general jurisdiction (superior court), the intermediate appellate court, and the supreme court. Together, these courts handle approximately 270,000 cases annually.

Connecticut Probate Courts operate separately from the unified judicial system but play a vital role in matters such as estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and name changes.

The Superior Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction and handles the majority of cases in Connecticut. Connecticut's Superior Courts are organized both geographically and by case type to efficiently manage the state's diverse legal matters. Geographically, they are divided into Judicial District Courts, Geographical Area (GA) Courts, and Juvenile Matters Courts. Most traffic violations, criminal arraignments, and code offenses are handled in the GA Courts. Jurisdiction is typically based on where the incident, transaction, or parties are located.

Additionally, special sessions exist for specific case types. For instance, small claims cases can be heard in the Centralized Small Claims Court in Hartford, while housing cases are addressed in designated Housing Sessions in cities like Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven.

Every Superior Court includes divisions for Civil, Criminal, and Family or Juvenile cases. Some courts also have statewide special sessions that focus on specific matters and may operate from a single location to serve the entire state.

Above the trial court of general jurisdiction and beneath the Supreme Court is the Appellate Court, which hears appeals from the Superior Court. This court was established to reduce the caseload of the Supreme Court and provides an intermediate level of review in both civil and criminal cases.

At the top of the Connecticut court structure is the Supreme Court, which serves as the highest appellate court in the state. It primarily reviews decisions from the lower courts that involve constitutional issues, significant questions of law, or matters of public interest.

What Are the Types of Court Records In Connecticut?

Court records refer to official files of the court, including all exhibits, pleadings, orders, and testimony occurring during court trials. These records are maintained by the clerk in the court in the state. Connecticut court clerks are the official custodians of court records for each court in the state.

The following specific records are maintained by the clerks in Connecticut courts:

• Connecticut Supreme Court
• Opinions and Rulings: Final written decisions in cases involving significant constitutional questions, conflicts in legal interpretation, and matters of statewide public interest.
• Case Dockets: Docket sheets provide listings of all filings, motions, and orders in cases currently under review by the Supreme Court.
• Attorney and Judicial Discipline: Disciplinary proceedings for attorneys and judges, including suspensions, reprimands, and disbarments, through the Statewide Grievance Committee and the Judicial Review Council.
• Administrative Orders and Rules: Rules of practice, administrative orders, and policy directives governing courts across the state.
• Petitions for Writs of Certiorari: Requests for the Court to review decisions from the Court of Appeals or lower courts.
• Connecticut Appellate Court
• Appellate Case Dockets: Records of appeals filed from the Superior Courts, including filings, decisions, and case history.
• Published Opinions and Memoranda: Records of the court's legal findings, reasoning, and outcomes in both precedential and non-precedential decisions.
• Legal Briefs and Motions: Includes arguments submitted by attorneys as well as procedural motions considered by the court.
• Oral Argument Audio and Summaries: Audio recordings and written summaries of oral arguments for transparency and legal reference.
• Connecticut Superior Court
• Criminal Division: Records include felony and misdemeanor charges, arraignments, trial proceedings, convictions, and sentencing. This includes DUI cases, drug charges, and violent crimes.
• Civil Division: Involves lawsuits concerning contracts, negligence, employment disputes, and property matters.
• Housing Division: Focuses on landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, and housing code violations.
• Family Division: Handles divorce, legal separation, child custody, visitation rights, child support, and restraining orders related to family violence.
• Juvenile Matters: Includes juvenile delinquency cases, truancy, child protection, and termination of parental rights.
• Connecticut Probate Courts
• Estate Administration: Probate of wills, asset distribution, and debt settlement.
• Guardianship and Conservatorship: Appointment of guardians for minors and conservators for incapacitated adults.
• Name Changes and Adoptions: These proceedings, including certain adoptions, are sometimes sealed.
• Mental Health Commitments: Hearings for involuntary psychiatric hospitalization or treatment.

Are Connecticut Court Records Public?

Connecticut court records are generally public and may be accessed by anyone under the state's Freedom of Information Act. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) offers public access to government records, including those maintained by the state judicial branch. However, there are important exceptions, such as juvenile records (with some exceptions), mental health commitment proceedings, certain family court matters, sensitive criminal investigations, and other records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by Connecticut courts. State courts may seal portions of some records or whole records to protect the privacy of individuals, trade secrets, or ensure a fair trial.

How Do I Search Connecticut Court Records?

The Connecticut Judicial Branch allows the public to search court records in the following ways:

• Case Lookup Tool: The case lookup tool available on the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website provides users with access to court case information about small claims, housing, motor vehicle, criminal, family, civil, and supreme and appellate cases. You may search a record by party name, docket number, attorney or firm juris number, or property address (for summary process and foreclosure).
• Connecticut Probate Court Case Lookup: This tool allows users to search probate court case information in the state. You may filter search results on this tool using options such as case type, district, status, and full name.
• Online transcript ordering system: This system (eServices) provides access to transcripts of court hearings in the state. While typically available to attorneys, you may use the system if you are not an attorney but are enrolled in eServices. Audio records of Connecticut judicial branch proceedings on or after November 1, 2018, are also available for purchase ($25 per day per docket number) via the eServices system.

How To Retrieve Court Records Offline

The Connecticut judiciary also provides access to state court records offline. To obtain standard or certified copies of court records in the state, you must visit the office of the clerk in the courthouse where the case was filed. You may need to provide a party name, case or docket number, and the filing date to search. Standard copies of Connecticut court records typically cost $1 per page, while administrative records are charged at $0.25 per page. Certification usually costs between $5 and $10 per document in addition to the copy fees.

The processing times for a record vary depending on several factors such as the complexity and volume of the request before the court. Simple requests for recent records usually receive responses on the same day as the requests, while complex requests may take up to a few business days.

Note that requests for audio recordings of court records in Connecticut may also be made offline by submitting a completed JD-ES-325 form by email to audiorequests@jud.ct.gov, by fax to (860) 706-5089, or by mail to:

Can I Seal or Expunge a Connecticut Court Record?

Typically, sealing refers to restricting public access to a record, while expungement refers to the erasure of a record, making the record appear like it never occurred. Connecticut does not have a sealing law, but its expungement provision is outlined under Title 54, Chapter 961a, Section 54-142a of the state's General Statutes.

Not all records qualify for expungement in Connecticut. Eligibility for expungement depends on the type and severity of the offense, as well as whether the conviction was for a misdemeanor or a felony. Some cases are automatically eligible for expungement and do not require you to apply.

You do not need to apply for expungement if your case falls into one of the following categories:

• You were found not guilty of the charges.
• Your case was dismissed by the court.
• The charges were dropped, and at least 13 months have passed since then.
• The case was placed on hold (nolle prosequi), and 13 months have passed without any further prosecution or court action.

If your conviction does not qualify for automatic expungement, you may be able to request a pardon, also known as an expungement pardon. You may apply for an expungement under this provision if:

• Three years have passed since the completion of your sentence for a misdemeanor conviction.
• Five years have passed since the completion of your sentence for a felony conviction.

You may apply for expungement in Connecticut by following these steps:

• Obtain Criminal History: Start the expungement process by requesting a copy of your criminal history from the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification.
• Complete the Absolute Pardon Application: Access the Absolute Pardon application through the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles website. Provide all required personal details, including a list of convictions and explanations for each offense. You may provide supporting documents, such as letters of recommendation from employers, community leaders, or probation officers, to strengthen your application.
• Submit the Application Online: File your completed application online using the Connecticut ePardons system. There is no filing fee for submission. Once the application is submitted, monitor your email and ePardons account regularly for updates or requests for additional documentation.
• Undergo Initial Application Review: After submission, your application undergoes an initial review by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. During this phase, the Board checks for completeness and accuracy. If any information is missing or requires clarification, the Board will request additional documentation, which must be provided promptly to keep the process moving forward.
• Determine Hearing Necessity: The Board decides whether a hearing is necessary based on the completeness of your application and the nature of your offenses. Some cases may be approved without a hearing, while others may require you to appear before the Board for further clarification or to provide additional details.
• Prepare for the Hearing (if scheduled): If a hearing is scheduled, you will receive notification of the date, time, and location. Hearings are typically held in Hartford or conducted online. At the hearing, you may be asked about your employment history, substance abuse treatment, or conduct following conviction.
• Await the Board's Decision: Following the hearing or review, the Board evaluates your application and determines whether expungement will be granted. This decision is made based on your rehabilitation efforts, the nature of your convictions, and other relevant factors.

After approval, the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification, the Judicial Branch, and other relevant law enforcement agencies are directed to erase the record from their systems. The removal process generally takes a few weeks to be fully completed.

How To Search Federal Court Records in Connecticut

There is only one federal court in Connecticut (the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut). The records of this court may be obtained online and offline. To access records of this court online, use the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER is a nationwide system providing access to docket sheets, filed documents, court orders, and case summaries of federal courts. To use PACER, you must register for an account on the website. The system charges a nominal fee to access court records. Typically, it costs $0.10 per page to access Connecticut federal court documents via PACER.

For offline access, individuals may visit the clerk's office of the U.S. District Court in Connecticut. The main office is located in New Haven, with additional locations in Bridgeport and Hartford. At the clerk's office, you may request case files, printed dockets, or certified copies of court documents. There may be nominal fees for photocopying and certification, and requests may require case numbers or party names to locate the files.

How To Get Connecticut Court Records Online for Free?

Connecticut court records may be accessed online at no cost through the Connecticut Judicial Branch's website. The site provides a Case Lookup tool where users may search for records related to civil, criminal, family, housing, and small claims cases. You may search by party name, docket number, or attorney information. Additionally, the site offers access to supreme and appellate court records.

Also, court records may be available from reliable third-party databases, such as publicrecords.us. These websites collate data from multiple official sources into searchable databases.