Connecticut Criminal Records

Recent statistics show that Connecticut has a violent crime rate of approximately 3.84 incidents per 1,000 residents, with an overall crime rate of 23.48 per 1,000 residents. Connecticut criminal records are official documents detailing an individual's interactions with the state's criminal justice system. These records usually contain arrest information, warrant information, charges filed, court outcomes, sentencing details, and incarceration history.

The Connecticut State Police (a division of the state's Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection) serves as the central repository for Connecticut criminal records. To this end, the agency is responsible for collecting, maintaining, and disseminating criminal record information to interested parties. However, in addition to the Connecticut State Police, various other agencies, such as local police departments, the Connecticut Department of Corrections, and the Judicial Branch, also maintain and provide access to criminal record information.

Are Criminal Records Public in Connecticut?

Under Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act, criminal records are generally accessible to the public. However, certain criminal records are classified as confidential by law and cannot be publicly disclosed, either based on the subject of the record or its contents. Examples of criminal records that are exempt from public disclosure include juvenile records, non-conviction information, law enforcement records that could expose the identity of informants or the names and addresses of sexual assault victims, and sealed or erased records. Access to these restricted records is generally limited to the individual named on the record, approved researchers, and criminal justice agencies.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Connecticut?

Interested parties may access official criminal records in Connecticut through the Connecticut State Police (CSP). This agency offers three options for requesting record checks:

• Name/Date of Birth-Based Searches: This search uses the subject's name and date of birth. It will only indicate if a record exists, but it does not provide the actual record details. The fee for this type of search is $36.
• Name-Based Criminal Conviction History Record Searches: This search uses the subject's name and date of birth and provides a copy of the record (only if it exists). The fee for this type of search is $75.
• Fingerprint-based Criminal Conviction History Record Searches: This method requires the submission of the record subject's fingerprints and will provide a copy of the record if it exists. Fingerprint-based searches also cost $75 (there may be additional federal fees if an FBI check is required). Note that the fingerprinting must be completed by a law enforcement agency, and separate fees will apply, based on the agency (the CSP offers fingerprinting services for a $15 fee; however, you must book an appointment for this).

Requesters will be required to mail a properly completed Criminal History Record Request Form, along with the appropriate fees in the form of a check or money order made payable to "Treasurer-State of CT", and a completed fingerprint card (where applicable) to the CSP at:

Queries may be directed to the CSP's Bureau of Identification at (860) 685-8480.

How To Search Connecticut Arrest Records?

Arrest records in Connecticut are primarily generated by local police departments and typically include details like:

• The full name and address of the arrestee
• The arrestee's age and sex
• The date, time, and place of the arrest
• The reason for the arrest
• The arresting officer's name and department

You may obtain copies of Connecticut arrest records by contacting the local police department that made the arrest - this will typically involve submitting an official request to the department either in person, via mail, or online, where available. Some departments also publish daily/weekly arrest logs on their websites, offering free public access to basic arrest information.

How To Search Connecticut Warrants?

Warrants in Connecticut are orders issued by judges, judge trial referees, or other duly authorized judicial officers that authorize law enforcement officers to take specified actions, such as arresting individuals or searching private property. Common types of warrants issued in Connecticut include:

• Arrest Warrants: These authorize the arrest of an individual and are issued upon probable cause that the person was involved in the commission of a crime.
• Bench Warrants: These are issued when a defendant fails to appear in court for a scheduled hearing or violates a court order, and they also authorize the apprehension of the individual. Bench warrants are sometimes referred to as "failure to appear" warrants.
• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement to search specific properties and seize evidence relevant to a criminal investigation, and are also issued based on probable cause.

Most Connecticut warrants do not have an expiration date, meaning that they typically remain active until the warrant is either executed (usually through the arrest of the person) or the issuing court clears/cancels the warrant. However, per Connecticut General Statutes Section 54-33c, search warrants must be executed within 10 days of being issued and returned to the issuing court, along with an inventory of any items seized under the warrant.

To obtain warrant information in Connecticut, it is best to directly contact the local police department in the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued (as they are typically charged with executing the warrant). The Connecticut Judicial Branch also provides a centralized warrant search platform that may be used to access certain warrant information online.

Can I Obtain a Connecticut Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may obtain copies of another person's criminal history record in Connecticut by mailing a Criminal History Record Request Form to the Connecticut State Police at:

You may either request a name/date of birth-based search, which will only provide the existence of a record and not the actual record, or a name-based criminal conviction history record search, which will provide a copy of the record (if one exists). Name/date of birth-based searches cost $36 per request, while criminal conviction history record searches cost $75. The CSP also offers fingerprint-based searches, but these require the consent of the record's subject and the submission of their fingerprints. You may contact the CSP at (860) 685-8480 for more detailed inquiries.

The Connecticut Judicial Branch also offers a Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-up platform that may be used to access pending criminal cases and conviction records online. Note that conviction information available via this platform is limited to 10 years after the date of sentencing.

How To Expunge or Seal Connecticut Criminal Records

In Connecticut, the process of clearing a criminal record is generally referred to as "erasure". This process is primarily governed by Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 961a, and, as the name implies, completely erases all police and court records related to a charge, treating them as if they never existed. Note that certain types of offenses are not eligible for erasure. These include family violence crimes, nonviolent sexual offenses, sexually violent offenses, and specific serious crimes, like murder, first-degree kidnapping, and firearm-related felonies.

Connecticut provides several pathways for erasure, including:

• Automatic Erasure: This involves the court automatically erasing the record and does not require any action on the part of the record's subject. Automatic erasure is typically available for non-conviction records as well as misdemeanors and Class D, E, and unclassified felonies imposed on or after January 1, 2000. Note that a stipulated waiting period (of up to 10 years from the date of the last conviction) typically has to be completed before the record may be erased.
• Petition-based Erasure: This option is available for convictions imposed before January 1, 2000, and requires the subject of the record to file a petition with the court that imposed the conviction(s). Note that the record must be eligible for erasure - this includes serving out the imposed sentences, completing a stipulated waiting period (from the date of the last conviction), and being crime-free during this waiting period. The court will review the petition and may either order the erasure without a hearing or schedule a hearing to decide whether the record should be erased.
• Erasure through Absolute Pardon: This option is available for records that are not eligible for automatic or petition-based erasure and involves seeking an absolute pardon from the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles (BOPP), which will result in the complete erasure of your official Connecticut adult criminal record. The BOPP maintains a dedicated webpage that can be used to get information on the application process (including eligibility requirements and necessary documentation) and subsequently submit your application. Once properly submitted, the board will review the application and may conduct a pre-screening before scheduling a full hearing where you may be required to appear in person or virtually. Note that the BOPP grants or denies absolute pardons at its discretion.

Navigating the erasure process in Connecticut can be somewhat complex; as such, it is advisable to consult with an attorney or utilize legal aid services before commencing the process.

What Are the Limitations To the Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Connecticut?

Several laws limit how criminal history information can be used in employment, housing, and licensing decisions in Connecticut. For instance, per the Fair Chance Act, federal agencies and contractors in the state cannot ask about an applicant's criminal history until after they have made a conditional job offer. Similarly, Connecticut General Statutes Section 46a-80 prevents individuals from being denied state employment or a professional license solely because of a past conviction, unless the law specifically disqualifies them.

Connecticut employers (including private employers) must also comply with laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires them to obtain consent before conducting a background check and provide notification if they take adverse action based on the results. Guidelines from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also discourage policies that automatically disqualify applicants based on criminal records without an individualized assessment, and encourage employers and landlords to assess applicants on a case-by-case basis.

Can I Access Connecticut Criminal Records for Free Online?

While some private websites advertise free Connecticut criminal record searches, the information they provide may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. For the most accurate and up-to-date criminal record information, it is best to contact the Connecticut State Police. You may also utilize resources like the Connecticut Judicial Branch's Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-up platform or reputable third-party platforms that aggregate data from official databases, like ConnecticutPublicRecords.us, to access Connecticut criminal records online.