How to Find and Access Connecticut Criminal Records

Connecticut criminal records can be effectively used for thorough research and background checks before potential employment or business ventures, and even social alliances if the need arises. Connecticut criminal records available in government sites reveal that the state has registered high crime rates in robbery, rape, theft and murder.

According to Connecticut Law Enforcement Agency Uniform Crime Reports from 1980 to 2005, the state had a total crime index of 3,232.7 calculated per 100,000 people in the year 2009- a significant figure, given the fact that Connecticut recorded a population of 3,405,565 that year. Incidentally, the state was ranked 36th in the total Crime Index. However, the Crime Index reports show a dipping graph across the years until in 2007 when it reported an index of 2,655.9 per 100,000 inhabitants.

After the merging of the superior court with the court of common pleas in 1978, a single trial court was established that presides over the criminal hearings. There are two divisions in the superior court –Part A and Part B. Generally, Part A courts are located in “Geographical Areas” that once housed the court of the common pleas. Basically, the idea behind the separation of the superior court is to choose, monitor and manage the more important cases effectively.

Connecticut Criminal Records Categories

Criminal Records of CT are generally archived on the basis of the nature of the crime, which can be distinctively divided into three categories. However, different states classify the categories differently, depending on their degree and severity:

Infractions:  These are records of minor offenses related to traffic tickets, public drunkenness, and municipal code violations. The offenders in these cases are subjected to jail terms.
 
Felonies: As the most serious of the lot, these records provide a background check on criminals who have been sentenced to jail for one year or more, or are on probation.

Misdemeanors: These cases are less severe than felonies. The term of imprisonment is one year or less.

Why Do You Need Criminal Records?

Criminal records are an essential means to keep track of some of the most important judicial decisions. Further, you can also check the status of a traffic ticket or a municipal violation ticket issued to an individual.

However, their recent usage pertains to employability of individuals. Various companies use these records to check on their employees’ conduct and update their own database of any criminal records for future reference.

How to Access Connecticut Crime Records

You can look for free online Connecticut criminal records that are available through the various levels of courts, which include federal, county and city. For example, you can check with the Connecticut Federal Bureau of Investigation’s central record system at

You can also find relevant statistics in the Division of Criminal Justice, Connecticut Bar Association, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Department of Public Safety, etc. Acting as one-stop research sources, these sites can provide you with any kind of information regarding a case.

Record searches at the courts are mostly name searches where the requester has to enter the date of birth or Social Security Number, or some other identifier of the subject in question for an easy search.

Data regarding the date and venue of the crime, the background of the offender, trial date and the verdict are available. This is in addition to the defendant’s name, date of birth, race, sex, case number, court jurisdiction, offense description and disposition date. Some of the sites, however, may charge you for accessing these records. 

You can also download a criminal history record form (DPS-0846-C) from the

, fill in the details carefully and mail with a money order of $50 to:

The Department of Public Safety
Bureau of Identification
111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT, 06457-2389

Another option is to call the State Criminal Repository for access to the Connecticut Records CT at 860-685-8480 or search for criminal convictions at

.