Connecticut Arrest Records and Warrant Search

Connecticut’s crime history data, encompassing arrest records, active warrants, case dispositions, and sentencing information, is meticulously maintained by local justice agencies and the Connecticut State Police (CSP). These records, preserved both in electronic format and hard copy, trace an individual’s criminal journey, extending even beyond their lifetime. It’s a thorough archive, capturing every legal twist and turn, ensuring that the past is never truly forgotten, not even years after a person has passed away.

Since the central database of criminal history was created by the CSP in 1990, you can find information on criminal matters in this repository from the early 1990’s. However, older records that date back to several decades can also be requested from the CSP. Even though all justice agencies, including those that work locally, maintain their very own collection of crime history data, this will be limited to the cases handled by them.

In contrast, the State Police collects crime related data from justice agencies working in all counties of Connecticut, including offices of the magistrates, county clerks, sheriffs’ departments, district attorneys and the courts. So, it can be safely suggested that the State Police is by far the most official and comprehensive source of criminal information. Working under the supervision of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the agency not only maintains the central repository of arrest records and information on outstanding warrants but also they are responsible for the sex offender registry of Connecticut.

The details that are made a part of arrest records from Connecticut are explained in Title 54 of the State General Statutes (CGS). Typically, the information stored in the criminal history database can be segregated into current offender details, non-conviction data and conviction records. Not all applicants are given access to a comprehensive crime history report. In fact, the amount of information offered will directly depend on the requester class of the applicant.

Current Offender Data: This refers to information concerning the current status and the location of a criminal or crime suspect. The database includes details on all persons who were arrested, ordered to appear before a tribunal, are currently being tried, are currently being held in any correctional or interim detention facility, have an appeal against a criminal conviction pending in court and are subject to parole, probation or jurisdiction of any correctional facility in the state of Connecticut.

Non-conviction data: Pursuant to CGS Title 54, section 142g, non conviction data refers to erased crime history information, details pertaining to criminals who have been granted the youthful offender status (given to first time offenders of certain criminal infractions who are in the 16 to 17 year age group) and information on cases that have been nulled for 13 months or more.

Conviction data: This is information on criminal history that has not been erased. It will generally include details on cases where the offender has pleaded no contest or guilty and matters in which the criminal was convicted. The terms of the sentence are also made a part of this data category.

While conviction and current offender data is offered to all applicants, non conviction details are only released to justice departments working at the state and national levels, agencies and individuals who need to access this information for the implementation of an executive order or statute that pertains to the criminal conduct of the subject and applicants who are legislatively authorized or who have been granted permission by the court to review crime history information. In keeping with this, non-conviction criminal history will only be released to:

• The subject or his legal representative
• For research
• To administer justice
• To a state agency that needs this information for the collection of dues to the state
• To the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

What is an arrest warrant?

An active warrant is defined in the Connecticut Criminal Code as a judicial order that authorizes the police to detain a person who is being accused of a criminal transgression. Arrest warrants can be issued for a myriad of purposes; from directives that are specifically released to deal with people who fail to appear in court as ordered to felonies and from misdemeanors to FTP (failure to pay fine) charges.

In Connecticut the complaint on which the issue of an arrest warrant hinges can be submitted in court by the state attorney, a member of the state prosecution team, including the assistant state’s attorney, by law enforcement officers or any two credible persons. This affidavit has to be filed with the judge of the Superior Court. The document should outline the relevant case facts which point to the culpability of the accused.

In case the warrant being sought is to gain entry into a private held property, the affidavit should contain information on the item/evidence that is believed to be in the premises or the reasonable cause that points to the fact that a suspect may be housed in the property. As is understandable from this clause, a charging instrument can be used for the issue of active warrants, summons as well as search warrants.

The complaint filed with the tribunal for the issue of active warrants from CT will be made a part of the arrest file. Section 54-2a further states that superior court magistrates and all judges thereof have the authority to issue arrest warrants. However, the probable cause premise has to be met before such an order can be released. Through the evidence presented before the bench, any reasonable person ought to be able to conclude that there is a very good possibility of the crime having been committed by the suspect in question.

Active warrants from Connecticut can be directed at any police officer, state police personnel, observation officer, an inspector from the division of Criminal Justice or a special conservation officer. Arrests can be made under outstanding warrants in any part of the state or outside. The magistrate who issued the order also has the authority to mention the conditions for detention and release on the warrant. If the accused is wanted in a matter punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole, the sitting judge can state on the warrant that the defendant is not entitled to bail.

How to search for an inmate in the Connecticut Prison System?

Inmate records for Connecticut can be found with the Department of Corrections. The state’s network of prisons and jails hold inmates who have been convicted of criminal offenses as well as those who are awaiting trial and/or sentencing. Through a prisoner check, you can find out about all the inmates who are currently lodged in the correctional facilities across the state. However, the DOC cannot offer details on federal prisoners. Using the online tool offered by the agency is a simple yet effective and free approach to finding arrest records and information on criminal history. While conducting the inquiry, you should understand that the information in the database is regularly and frequently updated, so the status of a prisoner can change very quickly. Fortunately, you will find out about offenders who are being considered for release on parole or probation.

To find jail records online, you can use the website of the DOC at ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us will need the first and the last name of the inmate to launch the inquiry. You could also use the DOC number of the prisoner if you have this information and his/her date of birth to narrow down the results. After inserting the required information, click search to access the results. You can also seek prisoner related data in person or by writing to the DOC at the Public Information Office, 24 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109.

Who can search for arrest records and warrants in CT?

Access to criminal history information, what constitutes crime background reports and the amount of data that can be disseminated to civilian applicants including the disclosure of non-conviction details have been dealt with in Title 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Pursuant to CGS 54-142K-a and b, government agencies holding information on criminal matters ought to make this data available for public inspection at reasonable hours and places.

The statute further clarifies that while conviction information can be disseminated among the general public, non conviction data can only be made accessible to state justice agencies and applicants who are legislatively authorized to access such details. Since conviction information is considered to be public, police, the judiciary and correctional authorities are allowed to disclose photographs of convicts. Also, it has been clearly stated that investigative and intelligence reports and presentence inquiries need not be made available in the results of warrant searches.

How to Request Records under the Connecticut Public Records Act?

Connecticut arrest records and information on locally issued active warrants can be found through the State Police (CSP). If you are looking for a police report of an accident, this can be availed by contacting the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. You will be charged $16 for the report and you will need to send the form available on ct.gov to the agency at:

Division of State Police Reports and Records 1111 Country Club Road Middletown, CT 06457

To access crime history records, use the form on ct.gov and for a conduct certificate, fill the application at ct.gov. The charges for the crime history inquiry are $50 and you will have to pay an additional $15 for fingerprinting services. The agency will only accept prints taken by a law enforcement establishment. Send the complete package that includes the appropriate form duly filled and a money order or check for the applicable fees to:

State Police Bureau of Identification1111 Country Club Road Middletown, CT 06457

How Long Does An Arrest Record or Warrant Stay On File In Connecticut?

Arrest records are maintained through the lifetime of an accused/convict while information on outstanding warrants is kept till such time that arrests are made under these orders. The only time when crime history information is erased is if the case is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted and if the court allows expungement of the records.

Here’s a list of emergency hotlines related to arrests and police in Connecticut:

Emergency Services

• 911: For all police, fire, and medical emergencies

Connecticut State Police

• (860) 685-8190: State Police non-emergency line

Local Police Departments (Non-Emergency Lines)

• (860) 486-4800: University of Connecticut Police
• (860) 658-3100: Simsbury Police
• (860) 757-4000: Hartford Police
• (203) 797-4611: Danbury Police

Specialized Hotlines

• (860) 722-TIPS (8477): Crime Stoppers Tip Line (24/7 anonymous tip hotline)[8]
• (860) 658-3143: Simsbury Police Crime Tip Hot-Line[7]

Other Important Numbers

• 1-800-222-1222: Poison Control
• (860) 297-0999: Suicide Hotline

State Agencies

• (860) 685-8541: Connecticut Emergency Management[2]
• (860) 424-3338 or 866-337-7745: Emergency Spill Reporting (24/7)[2]
• (860) 509-8000: Department of Public Health[2]

For any immediate emergency, always dial 911 first. These non-emergency numbers should be used for less urgent matters or to report information about criminal activities.