Sec. 51-33b. Arrests on courthouse grounds based on a civil offense. Restricted.
Sec. 51-33c. Mask wearing on courthouse grounds. Restricted.
Sec. 51-33b. Arrests on courthouse grounds based on a civil offense. Restricted. (a) No representative of a local, state or federal law enforcement authority shall detain, arrest or otherwise take an individual on courthouse grounds into custody on the basis of a civil offense, unless such representative (1) is acting in the representative's official capacity, and (2) has notified a judicial marshal within the courthouse in which the representative intends to detain, arrest or otherwise take an individual into custody and has provided documentation to the judicial marshal demonstrating that the individual to be detained, arrested or otherwise taken into custody (A) is the subject of a judicial warrant, (B) has been convicted of (i) a violation of section 53-21, 53a-56a, 53a-64aa, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-90a, 53a-102a, 53a-196e, 53a-196f, 53a-196i, 53a-222 or 53a-223, or (ii) any class A or B felony offense, or (C) is identified as a possible match in the federal Terrorist Screening Database or similar database. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a judicial marshal detaining, arresting or otherwise taking an individual on courthouse grounds into custody.
(b) Any judicial marshal receiving documentation pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall promptly review such documentation in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator. No representative of a local, state or federal law enforcement authority shall detain, arrest or otherwise take an individual on courthouse grounds into custody on the basis of a civil offense who is the subject of such documentation, unless the judicial marshal determines, based upon such review, that such individual (1) is the subject of a judicial warrant, (2) has been convicted of (A) a violation of section 53-21, 53a-56a, 53a-64aa, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-90a, 53a-102a, 53a-196e, 53a-196f, 53a-196i, 53a-222 or 53a-223, or (B) any class A or B felony offense, or (3) is identified as a possible match in the federal Terrorist Screening Database or similar database.
(c) Any violation of the provisions of this section may be deemed contempt of court and punished in accordance with the provisions of section 51-33.
(d) Any individual aggrieved by a violation of this section may bring a civil action for equitable relief or damages in the Superior Court. A civil action brought for damages may be triable by jury.
(e) In any action pursuant to this section, the court may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred to the prevailing party.
(f) No action may be commenced pursuant to subsection (d) of this section against the Judicial Branch or any officer or employee of said branch acting lawfully pursuant to such officer's or employee's official capacity, regarding actions or omissions of said branch or such officer or employee.
(g) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit a representative of a local, state or federal law enforcement authority from detaining, arresting or otherwise taking an individual on courthouse grounds into custody on the basis of a civil offense, if such action is in compliance with the provisions of this section and section 54-192h.
(h) For purposes of this section, “courthouse” means the interior of any facility or property in which a court of this state conducts business, and “courthouse grounds” includes the courthouse and any garage or parking lot owned by the Judicial Branch, or under contract with said branch, for the purpose of serving a courthouse, any walkways or sidewalks on the grounds of, contiguous to or abutting the grounds of the courthouse or connecting such garage or parking lot to the courthouse or grounds of the courthouse.
(Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-3, S. 12.)
History: Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-3 effective November 18, 2025.
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Sec. 51-33c. Mask wearing on courthouse grounds. Restricted. No individual shall, while carrying out the enforcement of laws of this state, any other state or the United States, wear a mask or other covering that obscures the face of such individual while on courthouse grounds, as defined in section 51-33b, unless medically necessary and with prior authorization of a judicial authority.
(Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-3, S. 13.)
History: Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-3 effective November 18, 2025.
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