Appearing in Court For a Disorderly Conduct Offense in Connecticut
A domestic violence arrest for Disorderly Conduct in Connecticut could arise from almost any kind of emotionally charged conduct. It is a broad criminal statute and is often used as an intervention vehicle for the courts to offer services, rather than punish a husband, wife, or significant other. Nevertheless, the domestic violence court process for Connecticut Disorderly Conduct arrests can be intimidating, frustrating and unnecessarily heavy-handed.
In fact, what happens at your first court date for your Connecticut arrest for Disorderly Conduct under CGS 53a-182 can influence the direction of your entire case. As a result, criminal lawyers often get called in the middle of the night after a Connecticut domestic violence Disorderly Conduct arrest to assist clients during their first day in court.
What to Expect On Your First Court Date
If you are arrested for Disorderly Conduct in a domestic violence setting, then your first court date will take place at Stamford Superior Court on the business morning following your arrest. Domestic Violence arrests in New Canaan, Wilton, Weston, Westport and Norwalk will report to Norwalk Superior Court on the next business morning.
Arrests for Disorderly Conduct in Ridgefield, Danbury or Newtown Connecticut report to Danbury Superior Court. Finally, domestic violence Disorderly Conduct arrests in Trumbull, Fairfield, and Shelton report to Bridgeport Superior Court.
So what exactly happens once you get to court? Here’s a quick schedule you will generally be required to follow:
- 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: You will be required to check in with the Office of Family Relations, who will want to meet with you to conduct a risk assessment and question you about the arrest, the accusations made against you, and your personal and professional background. During this time period, the Family Relations Officer may also speak with the alleged victim in your case. The Office of the Victim Advocate will also reach out by telephone to the alleged victim to assess the victim’s position on the criminal protective order. Also during this time, the arresting police department will be transporting your police reports and witness statements to the clerk’s office as well as provide a copy to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: The Office of Family Relations will continue conducting its risk assessment of your case and, with the assistance of the Office of the Victim Advocate, will prepare a recommendation to the Superior Court judge as to the type and level of restraining order that they believe should be ordered during the pendency of the domestic violence criminal case against you. During this time, you should either be meeting with your criminal attorney, waiting in court for the judge to call your case, or sitting directly outside the courtroom so that you can be ready to go into court after the morning recess that every Connecticut arraignment court takes during the morning session.
- 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: After the morning recess, the Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport or Danbury domestic violence court will begin calling the domestic violence arraignments. That’s when your case will be called and a brief restraining order / protective order hearing will begin. After the court issues the Connecticut domestic violence protective order / restraining order against you, as well as any additional conditions of release, the court will set a date for your next domestic violence court hearing and you will be free to leave.
Contacting An Attorney
As you can see, the first court date for your Connecticut domestic violence arrest for Disorderly Conduct can be complicated and risky, especially if this is your first offense. You will be asked uncomfortable and deeply person questions by court officers, and you will be forced to participate in a restraining order hearing where a protective / restraining order will be issued that can affect your ability to have contact with your family members. Sound fair? Absolutely not.