Judiciary research guide

  • Table of contents
  • Recent OLR Reports

The Office of Legislative Research writes nonpartisan reports for legislators on various topics. Recent reports related to the Judiciary Committee’s subject areas include:

Summary of State Gun Laws – 2024-R-0163

Domestic Violence-Related Legislation (2020-2024) – 2024-R-0169

Criminal Penalties for School Threats – 2024-R-0168

Municipal Immunity – 2024-R-0135

Penalties for Car Theft and Hit-and-Run Crimes – 2024-R-0142

Judge and Prosecutor Selection in the United States – 2024-R-0140

Connecticut’s Animal Cruelty Laws and Other Animal Protection Laws – 2024-R-0141

Auto-Theft Diversionary Program and Recidivism – 2024-R-0137

Legislation Passed From 2015 – 2024 Concerning Criminal Justice – 2024-R-0120

State Laws on Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering – 2024-R-0110

  • Websites

State agencies

Claims Commissioner

Dept. of Correction

Division of Criminal Justice

Division of Public Defender Services

Judicial Branch

Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division

Office of the Attorney General

Office of the Victim Advocate

Probate Courts

 

State boards, commissions, and task forces

Advisory Council on Housing Matters

Board of Pardons and Paroles

Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities

Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System

Criminal Justice Commission

Domestic Violence Offender Program Standards Advisory Council

Eyewitness Identification Task Force

Judicial Review Council

Judicial Selection Commission

Psychiatric Security Review Board

Sentencing Commission

Service of Restraining Order Task Force

State Marshal Commission

Task Force on Law Enforcement Response to Family Violence

Task Force on the Expansion of Civil Restraining Orders

Task Force to Examine the Methods to Reduce Costs to Extradite

Task Force to Improve Access to Legal Counsel in Civil Matters

Task Force to Study Legal Disputes Involving the Care and Custody of Minor Children

 

Federal government

U.S. Courts

Dept. of Justice – includes Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS), and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)

 

Other organizations

National Center for Juvenile Justice

National Center for Victims of Crime

National Criminal Justice Association

Gault Center (National Juvenile Defender Center)

Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire

 

Other online resources

Connecticut Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee Juvenile Justice Equity Dashboard

Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Data Project traffic stop data

U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey

CT Office of the Chief Medical Examiner statistics

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program

Judicial Branch Law Libraries subject guides to Connecticut law

  • Periodicals

CT Bar Journal – CT Bar Association; print subscription.

CT Law Journal – Commission on Official Legal Publications; electronic subscription.

CT Law Review – University of Connecticut School of Law; print subscription.

CT Lawyer – CT Bar Association; print subscription.

  • Databases

National Academies Press publications on law and justice. Legislative Library subscription; see librarian.

National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) Virtual Library and Abstracts Database – from the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.

NCSL Child Support and Family Law Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2012-present.

NCSL Child Welfare Enacted Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks enacted legislation from 2012-present.

NCSL Community Supervision Significant Enactment Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks significant enacted legislation from 2019-present.

NCSL Juvenile Justice Bill Tracking Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Tracks legislation from 2008-present.

NCSL Reentry and Criminal Records Enacted Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks enacted legislation from 2019-present.

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) – records of cases in U.S. district, bankruptcy, and appellate courts. Legislative Library subscription; see librarian.

PacerPro – PACER records in a database with advanced search functions and other features. Legislative Library subscription; see librarian.

Social Science Database – from ProQuest: “Social Science Database offers indexing and full text for hundreds of academic journals, providing extensive coverage across a wide range of social science disciplines including anthropology, communication, criminology, economics, education, political science, psychology, social work, and sociology.” Access from anywhere with a Connecticut State Library card.

  • Mandated reports

Please note this is not an exhaustive list. Contact the library for these and other reports.

Analysis of prosecutor data – annual report by the Office of Policy and Management’s Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division; pursuant to CGS 4-68ff

Annual report on the award of attorney fees – by the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; pursuant to CGS 46a-86(b)

Certificates of rehabilitation – annual report by the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division; pursuant to CGS 54-108f(b)

Civil Gideon pilot programCivil Gideon pilot program – by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to PA 17-2 s.150 June and PA 18-75 s.18

Claims Commissioner’s annual report – pursuant to CGS 4-159a

Claims filed against the State of Connecticut – annual report by the Office of the Attorney General; pursuant to CGS 4-160(p)

Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System report on activities – biennial report; pursuant to CGS 51-10c

Community correction activities – annual report by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to CGS 18-101i(b)(2)

Complaint investigations that exceeded the statutory time frame – annual report by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; pursuant to CGS 46a-82e(b)

Connecticut Advisory Council on Housing Matters biennial report – pursuant to CGS 47a-73

Connecticut child support program: annual federal self-assessment report – by the Dept. of Social Services and the Judicial Branch; pursuant to CGS 17b-179(n)

Connecticut Juvenile Training School annual report – by the Dept. of Children and Families; pursuant to CGS 17a-6b and 17a-6c

Connecticut medical malpractice annual report – by the Insurance Dept.; pursuant to CGS 38a-395

Connecticut Results First benefit-cost analyses of adult criminal and juvenile justice evidence-based programs – annual report by the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at Central Connecticut State University; pursuant to CGS 4-68s(c)

Connecticut Results First Policy Oversight Committee annual report – by the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at Central Connecticut State University; pursuant to CGS 2-111(f)

Crime in Connecticut (Uniform Crime Reporting Program annual report) – by the Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection; pursuant to CGS 29-1c

Criminal Justice Information System status – annual report by the Criminal Justice Information System Governing Board; pursuant to CGS 54-142s(h)

Detention diversion and release planDetention diversion and release plan – by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to PA 16-147 s.5(b)

Disciplinary reports, inmate assaults, workers’ compensation claims, and inmate population density for each correctional facility – quarterly report by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to CGS 18-81t

Disparities in pretrial and sentencing outcomes of criminal defendantsDisparities in pretrial and sentencing outcomes of criminal defendants – interim report by the CT Sentencing Commission; pursuant to SA 19-17

Domestic Violence Offender Program Standards Advisory Council annual report – pursuant to CGS 46b-38l

Dyslexia screening reportDyslexia screening report – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to SA 24-14

Equitable commissary options for youthEquitable commissary options for youth – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to PA 24-140

Expanded access to juvenile records progress reportExpanded access to juvenile records progress report – by the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division; pursuant to PA 22-115 s.20

False claims annual report – by the Office of the Attorney General; pursuant to CGS 4-289

Feasibility of decreasing time between child’s arrest and initial court appearance, and of weekly reporting program between child’s arrest and adjudicationFeasibility of decreasing time between child’s arrest and initial court appearance, and of weekly reporting program between child’s arrest and adjudication – by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to PA 21-33 s.13

Feasibility of implementing a statewide program for police departments to refer people to services for substance use disordersFeasibility of implementing a statewide program for police departments to refer people to services for substance use disorders – by the CT Alcohol and Drug Policy Council; pursuant to PA 17-131 s.7(e)

Foreclosure mediation program – annual report by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to CGS 49-31n(d)

Habeas Task Force reportHabeas Task Force report – pursuant to SA 18-18

Hate Crimes Advisory Council annual report – pursuant to CGS 51-279f

Hope for success: returning homeHope for success: returning home – by the Commission on Equity and Opportunity’s Reentry Working Group; pursuant to SA 18-14

Human trafficking reports – annual reports by each police department in the state; pursuant to CGS 51-286h

Implementation plan for secure pretrial custody of youthImplementation plan for secure pretrial custody of youth – by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to PA 21-174 s.13

Indigent restraining order applicant legal assistance grant program expansion feasibilityIndigent restraining order applicant legal assistance grant program expansion feasibility – by the CT Bar Foundation; pursuant to CGS 46b-15f(h)

Indigent restraining order applicant legal assistance grant program impact analysis – by the CT Bar Association; pursuant to CGS 46b-15f

Inmates convicted of capital felony or murder with special circumstances: number, location, confinement conditions – annual report by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to CGS 18-10b

Inmates on restrictive housing status and administrative segregation status – annual report by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to CGS 18-96b(c)

Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision annual report – pursuant to CGS 54-133 Article IV s.17 and Article IX s.4

Inventory of criminal justice programs – annual reports by the Dept. of Correction, Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division; pursuant to CGS 4-68s(a)

Judicial Branch biennial report and statistics – pursuant to CGS 51-1c

Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division annual reports to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee – pursuant to CGS 46b-133k(d), 46b-121n(o), and 46b-121n(p)

Judicial Branch Office of Victim Services biennial report – pursuant to CGS 54-203(b)(18)

Judicial Review Council annual report – pursuant to CGS 51-51k(g)

Judicial Selection Commission annual report – pursuant to CGS 51-44a(m)

Juvenile justice issuesJuvenile justice issues – by the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division; pursuant to PA 22-115 s.12

Juvenile justice transferJuvenile justice transfer – by the Dept. of Children and Families and the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division; pursuant to PA 22-115 s.11

Mental health services provided to the incarcerated population – annual report by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to CGS 18-96a(d)

Model policy on the use of body worn recording equipment and dashboard cameras – periodic report by the Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and the Police Officer Standards and Training Council; pursuant to CGS 29-6d

Monthly arrest warrant report – by the Office of Policy and Management Criminal Justice and Policy Division; pursuant to CGS 4-68q

Neighborhood Security Fellows Job Training Program annual report – by the Capital Region Development Authority and the Office of Policy and Management; pursuant to CGS 4-68cc

Number of original birth certificates issued annually to adopted persons eighteen years of age or older whose adoption was finalized on or after October 1, 1983, or the adult children or grandchildren of adopted persons – annual report by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 7-53a(a)

Ombudsman services in the Dept. of Correction – annual report by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to CGS 18-81jj(b)

Orders to detain on juvenile cases – annual report by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to CGS 46b-133p

Pilot program to provide enhanced community services to those in the criminal justice systemPilot program to provide enhanced community services to those in the criminal justice system – by the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office; pursuant to PA 17-205

Plan for the provision of health care services, including, but not limited to, mental health care, substance use disorder and dental care services, to inmates of correctional facilitiesPlan for the provision of health care services, including, but not limited to, mental health care, substance use disorder and dental care services, to inmates of correctional facilities – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to PA 22-133

Plan to have a prosecutorial official review each charge in any criminal case before the case is docketedPlan to have a prosecutorial official review each charge in any criminal case before the case is docketed – by the Chief State’s Attorney; pursuant to PA 20-1 s.23 July

Police Transparency and Accountability Task Force annotated updated final reportPolice Transparency and Accountability Task Force annotated updated final report – pursuant to PA 19-90 s.6 and PA 20-1 s.12 July

Police use of force – annual report published by the Office of Policy and Management; pursuant to CGS 7-282e(d)

Preliminary status report for each incident in which police used deadly force – by the Division of Criminal Justice; pursuant to CGS 51-277a

Prison population projection – annual report by the Office of Policy and Management; pursuant to CGS 4-68n

Probate Court Administration Fund annual report – by the Office of the State Treasurer; pursuant to CGS 45a-82(i)

Project Longevity implementation planningProject Longevity implementation planning – by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator; pursuant to PA 22-118 s.123

Proposed certification regarding human trafficking for state contractsProposed certification regarding human trafficking for state contracts – by the Office of the Attorney General; pursuant to PA 17-32 s.7

Provision of inmate medical services RFI (request for information) progress reportProvision of inmate medical services RFI (request for information) progress report – by the Dept. of Correction and OPM; pursuant to PA 17-2 s.248 June

Recidivism annual report – by the Office of Policy and Management’s Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division; pursuant to CGS 4-68o

Recommendations for the prevention of cannabis use in youthRecommendations for the prevention of cannabis use in youth – published by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to PA 21-1 s.65 June

Report to the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning DivisionReport to the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to PA 22-18 s.3

Restraining orders and civil protection orders – annual report by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator; pursuant to CGS 46b-15e(b)

Right to counsel program for eviction proceedings – annual report published by the CT Bar Foundation; pursuant to CGS 47a-75

The role and impact of school resource officers in ConnecticutThe role and impact of school resource officers in Connecticut – by the CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation at Western Connecticut State University; pursuant to PA 22-114 s.3

Rules that modify, supersede or suspend statutes relating to pleading, practice and procedure in existence on July 1, 1957 – annual report by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to CGS 51-14(b)

Sentencing Commission annual report – pursuant to CGS 54-300(p)

Sexual assault, stalking and intimate partner violence reports – annual reports by each institution of higher education in the state; pursuant to CGS 10a-55m(f)

Status of the procurement of body scanning machines for use in correctional facilitiesStatus of the procurement of body scanning machines for use in correctional facilities – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to PA 23-12 s.2

Statutes of Limitations Regarding Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Assault Task Force reportStatutes of Limitations Regarding Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Assault Task Force report – pursuant to PA 19-16 s.14(g)

Strategic plan for expansion of medications for opioid use disorder – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to PA 18-166 s.6(b)
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report
executive summary
executive summary

Summary of ex parte orders – annual report by the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney; pursuant to CGS 54-47aa(g)

Traffic stop data analysis and findings – annual report by the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at Central Connecticut State University; pursuant to CGS 54-1m(i)

Trafficking in Persons Council annual report – pursuant to CGS 46a-170

Trends in Connecticut’s criminal justice system – annual report by the Office of Policy and Management; pursuant to CGS 4-68p

Updated transferred juvenile custody implementation planUpdated transferred juvenile custody implementation plan – by the Judicial Branch; pursuant to PA 23-188 s.4

Vocational Village program – annual report by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to CGS 18-90d

  • Reference works

Black’s Law Dictionary, 7th ed. – West Publishing Co., 1999

Connecticut Evidence – by Benedict Holden Jr. et al.; 1988 with supplements through 2015

Connecticut Foreclosures: An Attorney’s Manual of Practice and Procedure, 8th ed. – by Denis R. Caron and Geoffrey K. Milne, 2020

Connecticut Law of Torts – by Douglas B. Wright; 2018 with 2021 supplement

Connecticut Practice Book – by the Commission on Official Legal Publications

Connecticut Treatise Index – from the Judicial Branch Law Libraries

Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices, Business Torts and Antitrust 2016-2017 – by Robert M. Langer et al.

Directory of Judges and Districts, State Probate Courts – annual directory by the Connecticut Probate Assembly

Directory of the Connecticut Judicial Branch – annual directory by the Judicial Branch

History of the Connecticut Supreme Court – by Wesley W. Horton, 2008

Judges’ Appointment Lists as of July 1 – annual list by the Judicial Branch

Mail-in Violations and Infractions Schedule as of October 1 – annual compilation by the Judicial Branch

Probate Clerk’s Manual – by the Probate Court Administrator; updated several times a year

Probate Court Rules of Procedure – by the Probate Court Administrator

Research guides to many subjects – by the Judicial Branch Law Libraries

Tait’s Handbook of Connecticut Evidence – by Colin C. Tait; 2019 with 2023 supplement

  • Other resources in the library’s collection

2022 report on pretrial justice2022 report on pretrial justice – by the CT Sentencing Commission

Correctional population indicators – monthly report by the Office of Policy and Management Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division

Crime in the U.S. (Uniform Crime Reporting Program annual report) – by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Inmate medical services assessmentInmate medical services assessment – by Health Management Associates, for the Dept. of Correction, 2021

Investigation of Manson Youth InstitutionInvestigation of Manson Youth Institution – by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, 2021

Juror Data Analysis Committee final reportJuror Data Analysis Committee final report – 2024

Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee 2021-2024 strategic planJuvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee 2021-2024 strategic plan

Mental health disorders in Connecticut’s incarcerated populationMental health disorders in Connecticut’s incarcerated population – by the CT Sentencing Commission, 2023

Moving justice forward: a blueprint for the CT Division of Criminal JusticeMoving justice forward: a blueprint for the CT Division of Criminal Justice – by the Center for Justice Innovation, 2023

Pretrial diversionary programsPretrial diversionary programs – by the CT Sentencing Commission, 2020

Pretrial release and detention in ConnecticutPretrial release and detention in Connecticut – report by the Sentencing Commission, 2017

Racial and ethnic disparities in the justice systemRacial and ethnic disparities in the justice system – by the National Conference of State Legislatures, 2022

Report of the Jury Selection Task Force to Chief Justice Richard A. RobinsonReport of the Jury Selection Task Force to Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson, 2020

State of the judiciaryState of the judiciary – by Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers, 2017

State of reentry 2023State of reentry 2023 – by Career Resources Inc.

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