Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06425 Compare Versions

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11 General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6425
22 January Session, 2011 LCO No. 3569
33 *03569_______JUD*
44 Referred to Committee on Judiciary
55 Introduced by:
66 (JUD)
77
88 General Assembly
99
1010 Raised Bill No. 6425
1111
1212 January Session, 2011
1313
1414 LCO No. 3569
1515
1616 *03569_______JUD*
1717
1818 Referred to Committee on Judiciary
1919
2020 Introduced by:
2121
2222 (JUD)
2323
2424 AN ACT REVISING THE PENALTY FOR CAPITAL FELONIES.
2525
2626 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
2727
2828 Section 1. Section 53a-54b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage and applicable to crimes committed on or after said date):
2929
3030 A person is guilty of [a capital felony] murder with special circumstances who is convicted of any of the following: (1) Murder of a member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety or of any local police department, a chief inspector or inspector in the Division of Criminal Justice, a state marshal who is exercising authority granted under any provision of the general statutes, a judicial marshal in performance of the duties of a judicial marshal, a constable who performs criminal law enforcement duties, a special policeman appointed under section 29-18, a conservation officer or special conservation officer appointed by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection under the provisions of section 26-5, an employee of the Department of Correction or a person providing services on behalf of said department when such employee or person is acting within the scope of such employee's or person's employment or duties in a correctional institution or facility and the actor is confined in such institution or facility, or any firefighter, while such victim was acting within the scope of such victim's duties; (2) murder committed by a defendant who is hired to commit the same for pecuniary gain or murder committed by one who is hired by the defendant to commit the same for pecuniary gain; (3) murder committed by one who has previously been convicted of intentional murder or of murder committed in the course of commission of a felony; (4) murder committed by one who was, at the time of commission of the murder, under sentence of life imprisonment; (5) murder by a kidnapper of a kidnapped person during the course of the kidnapping or before such person is able to return or be returned to safety; (6) murder committed in the course of the commission of sexual assault in the first degree; (7) murder of two or more persons at the same time or in the course of a single transaction; or (8) murder of a person under sixteen years of age.
3131
3232 Sec. 2. Section 53a-35a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
3333
3434 For any felony committed on or after July 1, 1981, the sentence of imprisonment shall be a definite sentence and, unless the section of the general statutes that defines the crime specifically provides otherwise, the term shall be fixed by the court as follows: (1) (A) For a capital felony committed prior to the effective date of this section under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of release unless a sentence of death is imposed in accordance with section 53a-46a, as amended by this act, or (B) for the class A felony of murder with special circumstances committed on or after the effective date of this section under section 53a-54b in effect on or after the effective date of this act, a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of release; (2) for the class A felony of murder, a term not less than twenty-five years nor more than life; (3) for the class A felony of aggravated sexual assault of a minor under section 53a-70c, a term not less than twenty-five years or more than fifty years; (4) for a class A felony other than an offense specified in subdivision (2) or (3) of this section, a term not less than ten years nor more than twenty-five years; (5) for the class B felony of manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm under section 53a-55a, a term not less than five years nor more than forty years; (6) for a class B felony other than manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm under section 53a-55a, a term not less than one year nor more than twenty years; (7) for a class C felony, a term not less than one year nor more than ten years; (8) for a class D felony, a term not less than one year nor more than five years; and (9) for an unclassified felony, a term in accordance with the sentence specified in the section of the general statutes that defines the crime.
3535
3636 Sec. 3. Section 53a-35b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
3737
3838 A sentence of [imprisonment for life shall mean] life imprisonment means a definite sentence of sixty years, unless the sentence is life imprisonment without the possibility of release, imposed pursuant to [subsection (g) of section 53a-46a] subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a, as amended by this act, in which case the sentence shall be imprisonment for the remainder of the defendant's natural life.
3939
4040 Sec. 4. Subsection (a) of section 53a-45 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
4141
4242 (a) Murder is punishable as a class A felony in accordance with subdivision (2) of section 53a-35a unless it is a capital felony committed prior to the effective date of this section, punishable in accordance with subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a, as amended by this act, murder with special circumstances committed on or after the effective date of this section, punishable as a class A felony in accordance with subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a, as amended by this act, or murder under section 53a-54d.
4343
4444 Sec. 5. Subsection (a) of section 53a-46a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
4545
4646 (a) A person shall be subjected to the penalty of death for a capital felony committed prior to the effective date of this section under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section only if a hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of this section.
4747
4848 Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 53a-46b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
4949
5050 (a) Any sentence of death imposed in accordance with the provisions of section 53a-46a, as amended by this act, shall be reviewed by the Supreme Court pursuant to its rules. In addition to its authority to correct errors at trial, the Supreme Court shall either affirm the sentence of death or vacate said sentence and remand for imposition of a sentence in accordance with subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a, as amended by this act.
5151
5252 Sec. 7. Subsection (c) of section 53a-54a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
5353
5454 (c) Murder is punishable as a class A felony in accordance with subdivision (2) of section 53a-35a, as amended by this act, unless it is a capital felony committed prior to the effective date of this section, punishable in accordance with subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a, as amended by this act, murder with special circumstances committed on or after the effective date of this section, punishable as a class A felony in accordance with subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a, as amended by this act, or murder under section 53a-54d.
5555
5656 Sec. 8. Subdivision (2) of subsection (j) of section 10-145b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
5757
5858 (2) When the Commissioner of Education is notified, pursuant to section 10-149a or 17a-101i, that a person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-149, inclusive, has been convicted of (A) a capital felony, pursuant to section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, (B) arson murder, pursuant to section 53a-54d, (C) a class A felony, (D) a class B felony, except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-291, (E) a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described in section 46b-120, or (F) a violation of section 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-49, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 53a-196, 53a-196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or subsection (a) of section 21a-277, any certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board of Education and held by such person shall be deemed revoked and the commissioner shall notify such person of such revocation, provided such person may request reconsideration pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board of Education, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. As part of such reconsideration process, the board shall make the initial determination as to whether to uphold or overturn the revocation. The commissioner shall make the final determination as to whether to uphold or overturn the revocation.
5959
6060 Sec. 9. Section 10-145i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
6161
6262 Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-146b, inclusive, and 10-149, the State Board of Education shall not issue or reissue any certificate, authorization or permit pursuant to said sections if (1) the applicant for such certificate, authorization or permit has been convicted of any of the following: (A) A capital felony, as defined in section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section; (B) arson murder, as defined in section 53a-54d; (C) any class A felony; (D) any class B felony except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-291; (E) a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described in section 46b-120; or (F) a violation of section 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-49, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 53a-196, 53a-196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or a violation of subsection (a) of section 21a-277, and (2) the applicant completed serving the sentence for such conviction within the five years immediately preceding the date of the application.
6363
6464 Sec. 10. Subsection (a) of section 46b-127 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
6565
6666 (a) The court shall automatically transfer from the docket for juvenile matters to the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court the case of any child charged with the commission of a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a class A or B felony or a violation of section 53a-54d, provided such offense was committed after such child attained the age of fourteen years and counsel has been appointed for such child if such child is indigent. Such counsel may appear with the child but shall not be permitted to make any argument or file any motion in opposition to the transfer. The child shall be arraigned in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court at the next court date following such transfer, provided any proceedings held prior to the finalization of such transfer shall be private and shall be conducted in such parts of the courthouse or the building wherein court is located as shall be separate and apart from the other parts of the court which are then being held for proceedings pertaining to adults charged with crimes. The file of any case so transferred shall remain sealed until the end of the tenth working day following such arraignment unless the state's attorney has filed a motion pursuant to this subsection, in which case such file shall remain sealed until the court makes a decision on the motion. A state's attorney may, not later than ten working days after such arraignment, file a motion to transfer the case of any child charged with the commission of a class B felony or a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-70 to the docket for juvenile matters for proceedings in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The court sitting for the regular criminal docket shall, after hearing and not later than ten working days after the filing of such motion, decide such motion.
6767
6868 Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 46b-133 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
6969
7070 (a) Nothing in this part shall be construed as preventing the arrest of a child, with or without a warrant, as may be provided by law, or as preventing the issuance of warrants by judges in the manner provided by section 54-2a, as amended by this act, except that no child shall be taken into custody on such process except on apprehension in the act, or on speedy information, or in other cases when the use of such process appears imperative. Whenever a child is arrested and charged with a crime, such child may be required to submit to the taking of his photograph, physical description and fingerprints. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 46b-124, the name, photograph and custody status of any child arrested for the commission of a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or class A felony may be disclosed to the public.
7171
7272 Sec. 12. Subsection (c) of section 51-36 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
7373
7474 (c) (1) In any case in which a person has been convicted of a felony, other than a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or murder with special circumstances under section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section, the official records of evidence or judicial proceedings in the court may be destroyed upon the expiration of twenty years from the date of imposition of the sentence in such case or upon the expiration of the sentence imposed upon such person, whichever is later.
7575
7676 (2) In any case in which a person has been convicted after trial of a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or murder with special circumstances under section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section, the official records of evidence or judicial proceedings in the court may be destroyed upon the expiration of seventy-five years from the date of imposition of the sentence in such case.
7777
7878 (3) In any case in which a person has been found not guilty, or in any case that has been dismissed or was not prosecuted, the court may order the destruction or disposal of all exhibits entered in such case upon the expiration of ninety days from the date of final disposition of such case, unless a prior disposition of such exhibits has been ordered pursuant to section 54-36a. In any case in which a nolle has been entered, the court may order the destruction or disposal of all exhibits entered in such case upon the expiration of thirteen months from the date of final disposition of such case. Not less than thirty days prior to the scheduled destruction or disposal of exhibits under this subdivision, the clerk of the court shall send notice to all parties and any party may request a hearing on the issue of such destruction or disposal before the court in which the matter is pending.
7979
8080 (4) In any case in which a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor or has been adjudicated a youthful offender, the court may order the destruction or disposal of all exhibits entered in such case upon the expiration of ten years from the date of imposition of the sentence in such case or upon the expiration of the sentence imposed on such person, whichever is later, unless a prior disposition of such exhibits has been ordered pursuant to section 54-36a. Not less than thirty days prior to the scheduled destruction or disposal of exhibits under this subdivision, the clerk of the court shall send notice to all parties and any party may request a hearing on the issue of such destruction or disposal before the court in which the matter is pending.
8181
8282 (5) In any case in which a person is charged with multiple offenses, no destruction or disposal of exhibits may be ordered under this subsection until the longest applicable retention period under this subsection has expired. The provisions of this subdivision and subdivisions (3), (4) and (6) of this subsection shall apply to any criminal or motor vehicle case disposed of before, on or after October 1, 2006.
8383
8484 (6) The retention period for the official records of evidence and exhibits in any habeas corpus proceeding, petition for a new trial or other proceeding arising out of a criminal case in which a person has been convicted shall be the same as the applicable retention period under this subsection for the criminal case from which such proceeding or petition arose.
8585
8686 (7) For the purposes of this subsection, "sentence" includes any period of incarceration, parole, special parole or probation.
8787
8888 Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 51-199 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
8989
9090 (b) The following matters shall be taken directly to the Supreme Court: (1) Any matter brought pursuant to the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under section 2 of article sixteen of the amendments to the Constitution; (2) an appeal in any matter where the Superior Court declares invalid a state statute or a provision of the state Constitution; (3) an appeal in any criminal action involving a conviction for a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, class A felony [,] or any other felony, including any persistent offender status, for which the maximum sentence which may be imposed exceeds twenty years; (4) review of a sentence of death pursuant to section 53a-46b, as amended by this act; (5) any election or primary dispute brought to the Supreme Court pursuant to section 9-323 or 9-325; (6) an appeal of any reprimand or censure of a probate judge pursuant to section 45a-65; (7) any matter regarding judicial removal or suspension pursuant to section 51-51j; (8) an appeal of any decision of the Judicial Review Council pursuant to section 51-51r; (9) any matter brought to the Supreme Court pursuant to section 52-265a; (10) writs of error; and (11) any other matter as provided by law.
9191
9292 Sec. 14. Section 51-246 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
9393
9494 In the trial of any [capital case or any case involving imprisonment for life] case involving a crime punishable by death, life imprisonment without the possibility of release or life imprisonment, the court may, in its discretion, require the jury to remain together in the charge of judicial marshals during the trial and until the jury is discharged by the court from further consideration of the case.
9595
9696 Sec. 15. Section 51-286c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
9797
9898 The state's attorney for any judicial district may employ one or more detectives to investigate for the purpose of discovering the perpetrators of any crime committed within this state, whenever the penalty for such crime is capital punishment, [or imprisonment in the Connecticut Correctional Institution, Somers] life imprisonment without the possibility of release or life imprisonment. The expenses incurred in the employment of such detectives shall be paid from the State Treasury on an order from the state's attorney employing them.
9999
100100 Sec. 16. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 52-434 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
101101
102102 (1) Each judge of the Supreme Court, each judge of the Appellate Court, each judge of the Superior Court and each judge of the Court of Common Pleas who ceases or has ceased to hold office because of retirement other than under the provisions of section 51-49 and who is an elector and a resident of this state shall be a state referee for the remainder of such judge's term of office as a judge and shall be eligible for appointment as a state referee during the remainder of such judge's life in the manner prescribed by law for the appointment of a judge of the court of which such judge is a member. The Superior Court may refer any civil, nonjury case or with the written consent of the parties or their attorneys, any civil jury case pending before the court in which the issues have been closed to a judge trial referee who shall have and exercise the powers of the Superior Court in respect to trial, judgment and appeal in the case, and any proceeding resulting from a demand for a trial de novo pursuant to subsection (e) of section 52-549z may be referred without the consent of the parties to a judge trial referee who has been specifically designated to hear such proceedings pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The Superior Court may, with the consent of the parties or their attorneys, refer any criminal case to a judge trial referee who shall have and exercise the powers of the Superior Court in respect to trial, judgment, sentencing and appeal in the case, except that the Superior Court may, without the consent of the parties or their attorneys, (A) refer any criminal case, other than a criminal jury trial, to a judge trial referee assigned to a geographical area criminal court session, and (B) refer any criminal case, other than a class A or B felony or capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, to a judge trial referee to preside over the jury selection process and any voir dire examination conducted in such case, unless good cause is shown not to refer.
103103
104104 Sec. 17. Subsection (b) of section 53a-25 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
105105
106106 (b) Felonies are classified for the purposes of sentence as follows: (1) Class A, (2) class B, (3) class C, (4) class D, (5) unclassified and (6) capital felonies under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section.
107107
108108 Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 53a-30 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
109109
110110 (a) When imposing sentence of probation or conditional discharge, the court may, as a condition of the sentence, order that the defendant: (1) Work faithfully at a suitable employment or faithfully pursue a course of study or of vocational training that will equip the defendant for suitable employment; (2) undergo medical or psychiatric treatment and remain in a specified institution, when required for that purpose; (3) support the defendant's dependents and meet other family obligations; (4) make restitution of the fruits of the defendant's offense or make restitution, in an amount the defendant can afford to pay or provide in a suitable manner, for the loss or damage caused thereby and the court may fix the amount thereof and the manner of performance; (5) if a minor, (A) reside with the minor's parents or in a suitable foster home, (B) attend school, and (C) contribute to the minor's own support in any home or foster home; (6) post a bond or other security for the performance of any or all conditions imposed; (7) refrain from violating any criminal law of the United States, this state or any other state; (8) if convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, other than a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a class A felony or a violation of section 21a-278, 21a-278a, 53a-55, 53a-56, 53a-56b, 53a-57, 53a-58 or 53a-70b or any offense for which there is a mandatory minimum sentence which may not be suspended or reduced by the court, and any sentence of imprisonment is suspended, participate in an alternate incarceration program; (9) reside in a residential community center or halfway house approved by the Commissioner of Correction, and contribute to the cost incident to such residence; (10) participate in a program of community service labor in accordance with section 53a-39c; (11) participate in a program of community service in accordance with section 51-181c; (12) if convicted of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21, section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a or 53a-72b, undergo specialized sexual offender treatment; (13) if convicted of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor, a nonviolent sexual offense or a sexually violent offense, as defined in section 54-250, or of a felony that the court finds was committed for a sexual purpose, as provided in section 54-254, register such person's identifying factors, as defined in section 54-250, with the Commissioner of Public Safety when required pursuant to section 54-251, 54-252 or 54-253, as the case may be; (14) be subject to electronic monitoring, which may include the use of a global positioning system; (15) if convicted of a violation of section 46a-58, 53-37a, 53a-181j, 53a-181k or 53a-181l, participate in an anti-bias crime education program; (16) if convicted of a violation of section 53-247, undergo psychiatric or psychological counseling or participate in an animal cruelty prevention and education program provided such a program exists and is available to the defendant; or (17) satisfy any other conditions reasonably related to the defendant's rehabilitation. The court shall cause a copy of any such order to be delivered to the defendant and to the probation officer, if any.
111111
112112 Sec. 19. Subsection (a) of section 53a-39a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
113113
114114 (a) In all cases where a defendant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, other than a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a class A felony or a violation of section 21a-278, 21a-278a, 53a-55, 53a-56, 53a-56b, 53a-57, 53a-58 or 53a-70b or any other offense for which there is a mandatory minimum sentence which may not be suspended or reduced by the court, after trial or by a plea of guilty without trial, and a term of imprisonment is part of a stated plea agreement or the statutory penalty provides for a term of imprisonment, the court may, in its discretion, order an assessment for placement in an alternate incarceration program under contract with the Judicial Department. If the Court Support Services Division recommends placement in an alternate incarceration program, it shall also submit to the court a proposed alternate incarceration plan. Upon completion of the assessment, the court shall determine whether such defendant shall be ordered to participate in such program as an alternative to incarceration. If the court determines that the defendant shall participate in such program, the court shall suspend any sentence of imprisonment and shall make participation in the alternate incarceration program a condition of probation as provided in section 53a-30, as amended by this act.
115115
116116 Sec. 20. Subsection (a) of section 53a-40d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
117117
118118 (a) A persistent offender of crimes involving assault, stalking, trespass, threatening, harassment, criminal violation of a protective order or criminal violation of a restraining order is a person who (1) stands convicted of assault under section 53a-61, stalking under section 53a-181d, threatening under section 53a-62, harassment under section 53a-183, criminal violation of a protective order under section 53a-223, criminal violation of a restraining order under section 53a-223b or criminal trespass under section 53a-107 or 53a-108, and (2) has, (A) been convicted of a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a class A felony, a class B felony, except a conviction under section 53a-86 or 53a-122, a class C felony, except a conviction under section 53a-87, 53a-152 or 53a-153, or a class D felony under sections 53a-60 to 53a-60c, inclusive, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-95, 53a-103, 53a-103a, 53a-114, 53a-136 or 53a-216, assault under section 53a-61, stalking under section 53a-181d, threatening under section 53a-62, harassment under section 53a-183, criminal violation of a protective order under section 53a-223, criminal violation of a restraining order under section 53a-223b, or criminal trespass under section 53a-107 or 53a-108, (B) been convicted in any other state of any crime the essential elements of which are substantially the same as any of the crimes enumerated in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, or (C) been released from incarceration with respect to such conviction.
119119
120120 Sec. 21. Section 53a-46d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
121121
122122 A victim impact statement prepared with the assistance of a victim advocate to be placed in court files in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 54-220 may be read in court prior to imposition of sentence upon a defendant found guilty of a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
123123
124124 Sec. 22. Subsection (a) of section 53a-182b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
125125
126126 (a) A person is guilty of harassment in the first degree when, with the intent to harass, annoy, alarm or terrorize another person, he threatens to kill or physically injure that person or any other person, and communicates such threat by telephone, or by telegraph, mail, computer network, as defined in section 53a-250, or any other form of written communication, in a manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm and has been convicted of a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a class A felony, a class B felony, except a conviction under section 53a-86 or 53a-122, a class C felony, except a conviction under section 53a-87, 53a-152 or 53a-153, or a class D felony under sections 53a-60 to 53a-60c, inclusive, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-95, 53a-103, 53a-103a, 53a-114, 53a-136 or 53a-216. For the purposes of this section, "convicted" means having a judgment of conviction entered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
127127
128128 Sec. 23. Subsection (a) of section 53a-217d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
129129
130130 (a) A person is guilty of criminal possession of body armor when he possesses body armor and has been (1) convicted of a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a class A felony, except a conviction under section 53a-196a, a class B felony, except a conviction under section 53a-86, 53a-122 or 53a-196b, a class C felony, except a conviction under section 53a-87, 53a-152 or 53a-153 or a class D felony under sections 53a-60 to 53a-60c, inclusive, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-95, 53a-103, 53a-103a, 53a-114, 53a-136 or 53a-216, or (2) convicted as delinquent for the commission of a serious juvenile offense, as defined in section 46b-120.
131131
132132 Sec. 24. Subsection (b) of section 54-2a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
133133
134134 (b) The court, judge or judge trial referee issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the person or persons complained against shall, in cases punishable by death, life imprisonment without the possibility of release or life imprisonment, set the conditions of release or indicate that the person or persons named in the warrant shall not be entitled to bail and may, in all other cases, set the conditions of release. The conditions of release, if included in the warrant, shall fix the first of the following conditions which the court, judge or judge trial referee finds necessary to assure such person's appearance in court: (1) Written promise to appear; (2) execution of a bond without surety in no greater amount than necessary; or (3) execution of a bond with surety in no greater amount than necessary.
135135
136136 Sec. 25. Subsection (a) of section 54-46a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
137137
138138 (a) No person charged by the state, who has not been indicted by a grand jury prior to May 26, 1983, shall be put to plea or held to trial for any crime punishable by death, life imprisonment without the possibility of release or life imprisonment unless the court at a preliminary hearing determines there is probable cause to believe that the offense charged has been committed and that the accused person has committed it. The accused person may knowingly and voluntarily waive such preliminary hearing to determine probable cause.
139139
140140 Sec. 26. Section 54-82 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
141141
142142 (a) In any criminal case, prosecution or proceeding, the [party] accused may, if [he] the accused so elects when called upon to plead, be tried by the court instead of by the jury; and, in such case, the court shall have jurisdiction to hear and try such case and render judgment and sentence thereon.
143143
144144 (b) If the accused is charged with a crime punishable by death, [or imprisonment for] life imprisonment without the possibility of release or life imprisonment and elects to be tried by the court, the court shall be composed of three judges to be designated by the Chief Court Administrator, or [his] the Chief Court Administrator's designee, who shall name one such judge to preside over the trial. Such judges, or a majority of them, shall have power to decide all questions of law and fact arising upon the trial and render judgment accordingly.
145145
146146 (c) If the [party] accused does not elect to be tried by the court, [he] the accused shall be tried by a jury of six except that no person [,] charged with an offense which is punishable by death, life imprisonment without the possibility of release or life imprisonment, shall be tried by a jury of less than twelve without [his] such person's consent.
147147
148148 Sec. 27. Section 54-82g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
149149
150150 The accused may challenge peremptorily, in any criminal trial before the Superior Court for any offense punishable by death or life imprisonment without the possibility of release, twenty-five jurors; for any offense punishable by [imprisonment for] life imprisonment, fifteen jurors; for any offense the punishment for which may be imprisonment for more than one year and for less than life, six jurors; and for any other offense, three jurors. In any criminal trial in which the accused is charged with more than one count on the information or where there is more than one information, the number of challenges is determined by the count carrying the highest maximum punishment. The state, on the trial of any criminal prosecution, may challenge peremptorily the same number of jurors as the accused.
151151
152152 Sec. 28. Subsection (a) of section 54-82h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
153153
154154 (a) In any criminal prosecution to be tried to the jury in the Superior Court if it appears to the court that the trial is likely to be protracted, the court may, in its discretion, direct that, after a jury has been selected, two or more additional jurors shall be added to the jury panel, to be known as "alternate jurors". Such alternate jurors shall have the same qualifications and be selected and subject to examination and challenge in the same manner and to the same extent as the jurors constituting the regular panel, provided, in any case when the court directs the selection of alternate jurors, the number of peremptory challenges allowed shall be as follows: In any criminal prosecution the state and the accused may each peremptorily challenge thirty jurors if the offense for which the accused is arraigned is punishable by death or life imprisonment without the possibility of release, eighteen jurors if the offense is punishable by life imprisonment, eight jurors if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and for less than life, and four jurors in any other case.
155155
156156 Sec. 29. Section 54-83 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
157157
158158 No person may be convicted of any crime punishable by death or life imprisonment without the possibility of release without the testimony of at least two witnesses, or that which is equivalent thereto.
159159
160160 Sec. 30. Subsection (a) of section 54-91a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
161161
162162 (a) No defendant convicted of a crime, other than a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or murder with special circumstances under section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section, the punishment for which may include imprisonment for more than one year, may be sentenced, or the defendant's case otherwise disposed of, until a written report of investigation by a probation officer has been presented to and considered by the court, if the defendant is so convicted for the first time in this state; but any court may, in its discretion, order a presentence investigation for a defendant convicted of any crime or offense other than a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or murder with special circumstances under section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section.
163163
164164 Sec. 31. Subsection (b) of section 54-102jj of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
165165
166166 (b) Upon the conviction of a person of a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or murder with special circumstances under section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section or the conviction of a person of a crime after trial, or upon order of the court for good cause shown, the state police, all local police departments, any agent of the state police or a local police department and any other person to whom biological evidence has been transferred shall preserve all biological evidence acquired during the course of the investigation of such crime for the term of such person's incarceration.
167167
168168 Sec. 32. Subsection (b) of section 54-125a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
169169
170170 (b) (1) No person convicted of any of the following offenses, which was committed on or after July 1, 1981, shall be eligible for parole under subsection (a) of this section: Capital felony, as provided in section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, or murder with special circumstances, as provided in section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section, felony murder, as provided in section 53a-54c, arson murder, as provided in section 53a-54d, murder, as provided in section 53a-54a, as amended by this act, or aggravated sexual assault in the first degree, as provided in section 53a-70a. (2) A person convicted of (A) a violation of section 53a-100aa or 53a-102, or (B) an offense, other than an offense specified in subdivision (1) of this subsection, where the underlying facts and circumstances of the offense involve the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person shall be ineligible for parole under subsection (a) of this section until such person has served not less than eighty-five per cent of the definite sentence imposed.
171171
172172 Sec. 33. Subsection (d) of section 54-125d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
173173
174174 (d) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, a sentencing court may refer any person convicted of an offense other than a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or a class A felony who is an alien to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for deportation under this section.
175175
176176 Sec. 34. Section 54-131b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
177177
178178 The Board of Pardons and Paroles may release on medical parole any inmate serving any sentence of imprisonment, except an inmate convicted of a capital felony [as defined in] under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or murder with special circumstances under section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section, who has been diagnosed pursuant to section 54-131c as suffering from a terminal condition, disease or syndrome, and is so debilitated or incapacitated by such condition, disease or syndrome as to be physically incapable of presenting a danger to society. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, the Board of Pardons and Paroles may release such inmate at any time during the term of [his] such inmate's sentence.
179179
180180 Sec. 35. Subsection (a) of section 54-131k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
181181
182182 (a) The Board of Pardons and Paroles may grant a compassionate parole release to any inmate serving any sentence of imprisonment, except an inmate convicted of a capital felony [, as defined in] under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section or murder with special circumstances under section 53a-54b, as amended by this act, in effect on or after the effective date of this section, if it finds that such inmate (1) is so physically or mentally debilitated, incapacitated or infirm as a result of advanced age or as a result of a condition, disease or syndrome that is not terminal as to be physically incapable of presenting a danger to society, and (2) (A) has served not less than one-half of such inmate's definite or aggregate sentence, or (B) has served not less than one-half of such inmate's remaining definite or aggregate sentence after commutation of the original sentence by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
183183
184184 Sec. 36. Subsection (a) of section 54-193 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
185185
186186 (a) There shall be no limitation of time within which a person may be prosecuted for (1) a capital felony under section 53a-54b in effect prior to the effective date of this section, a class A felony or a violation of section 53a-54d or 53a-169, (2) a violation of section 53a-165aa or 53a-166 in which such person renders criminal assistance to another person who has committed an offense set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, or (3) a violation of section 53a-156 committed during a proceeding that results in the conviction of another person subsequently determined to be actually innocent of the offense or offenses of which such other person was convicted.
187187
188188
189189
190190
191191 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
192192 Section 1 from passage and applicable to crimes committed on or after said date 53a-54b
193193 Sec. 2 from passage 53a-35a
194194 Sec. 3 from passage 53a-35b
195195 Sec. 4 from passage 53a-45(a)
196196 Sec. 5 from passage 53a-46a(a)
197197 Sec. 6 from passage 53a-46b(a)
198198 Sec. 7 from passage 53a-54a(c)
199199 Sec. 8 from passage 10-145b(j)(2)
200200 Sec. 9 from passage 10-145i
201201 Sec. 10 from passage 46b-127(a)
202202 Sec. 11 from passage 46b-133(a)
203203 Sec. 12 from passage 51-36(c)
204204 Sec. 13 from passage 51-199(b)
205205 Sec. 14 from passage 51-246
206206 Sec. 15 from passage 51-286c
207207 Sec. 16 from passage 52-434(a)(1)
208208 Sec. 17 from passage 53a-25(b)
209209 Sec. 18 from passage 53a-30(a)
210210 Sec. 19 from passage 53a-39a(a)
211211 Sec. 20 from passage 53a-40d(a)
212212 Sec. 21 from passage 53a-46d
213213 Sec. 22 from passage 53a-182b(a)
214214 Sec. 23 from passage 53a-217d(a)
215215 Sec. 24 from passage 54-2a(b)
216216 Sec. 25 from passage 54-46a(a)
217217 Sec. 26 from passage 54-82
218218 Sec. 27 from passage 54-82g
219219 Sec. 28 from passage 54-82h(a)
220220 Sec. 29 from passage 54-83
221221 Sec. 30 from passage 54-91a(a)
222222 Sec. 31 from passage 54-102jj(b)
223223 Sec. 32 from passage 54-125a(b)
224224 Sec. 33 from passage 54-125d(d)
225225 Sec. 34 from passage 54-131b
226226 Sec. 35 from passage 54-131k(a)
227227 Sec. 36 from passage 54-193(a)
228228
229229 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
230230
231231 Section 1
232232
233233 from passage and applicable to crimes committed on or after said date
234234
235235 53a-54b
236236
237237 Sec. 2
238238
239239 from passage
240240
241241 53a-35a
242242
243243 Sec. 3
244244
245245 from passage
246246
247247 53a-35b
248248
249249 Sec. 4
250250
251251 from passage
252252
253253 53a-45(a)
254254
255255 Sec. 5
256256
257257 from passage
258258
259259 53a-46a(a)
260260
261261 Sec. 6
262262
263263 from passage
264264
265265 53a-46b(a)
266266
267267 Sec. 7
268268
269269 from passage
270270
271271 53a-54a(c)
272272
273273 Sec. 8
274274
275275 from passage
276276
277277 10-145b(j)(2)
278278
279279 Sec. 9
280280
281281 from passage
282282
283283 10-145i
284284
285285 Sec. 10
286286
287287 from passage
288288
289289 46b-127(a)
290290
291291 Sec. 11
292292
293293 from passage
294294
295295 46b-133(a)
296296
297297 Sec. 12
298298
299299 from passage
300300
301301 51-36(c)
302302
303303 Sec. 13
304304
305305 from passage
306306
307307 51-199(b)
308308
309309 Sec. 14
310310
311311 from passage
312312
313313 51-246
314314
315315 Sec. 15
316316
317317 from passage
318318
319319 51-286c
320320
321321 Sec. 16
322322
323323 from passage
324324
325325 52-434(a)(1)
326326
327327 Sec. 17
328328
329329 from passage
330330
331331 53a-25(b)
332332
333333 Sec. 18
334334
335335 from passage
336336
337337 53a-30(a)
338338
339339 Sec. 19
340340
341341 from passage
342342
343343 53a-39a(a)
344344
345345 Sec. 20
346346
347347 from passage
348348
349349 53a-40d(a)
350350
351351 Sec. 21
352352
353353 from passage
354354
355355 53a-46d
356356
357357 Sec. 22
358358
359359 from passage
360360
361361 53a-182b(a)
362362
363363 Sec. 23
364364
365365 from passage
366366
367367 53a-217d(a)
368368
369369 Sec. 24
370370
371371 from passage
372372
373373 54-2a(b)
374374
375375 Sec. 25
376376
377377 from passage
378378
379379 54-46a(a)
380380
381381 Sec. 26
382382
383383 from passage
384384
385385 54-82
386386
387387 Sec. 27
388388
389389 from passage
390390
391391 54-82g
392392
393393 Sec. 28
394394
395395 from passage
396396
397397 54-82h(a)
398398
399399 Sec. 29
400400
401401 from passage
402402
403403 54-83
404404
405405 Sec. 30
406406
407407 from passage
408408
409409 54-91a(a)
410410
411411 Sec. 31
412412
413413 from passage
414414
415415 54-102jj(b)
416416
417417 Sec. 32
418418
419419 from passage
420420
421421 54-125a(b)
422422
423423 Sec. 33
424424
425425 from passage
426426
427427 54-125d(d)
428428
429429 Sec. 34
430430
431431 from passage
432432
433433 54-131b
434434
435435 Sec. 35
436436
437437 from passage
438438
439439 54-131k(a)
440440
441441 Sec. 36
442442
443443 from passage
444444
445445 54-193(a)
446446
447447 Statement of Purpose:
448448
449449 To replace the death penalty with a penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of release for certain murders committed on or after the effective date of this act.
450450
451451 [Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]