Connecticut House Bill HB05080

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/13
• Refer: 1/9/13

Caption

An Act Concerning Civil Process That Is Filed For A Malicious Purpose Or To Harass An Individual.

Impact

The bill also proposes to restrict individuals who have previously filed three or more civil actions against the same party that were dismissed based on grounds such as being frivolous or malicious. This provision is designed to deter individuals from constantly targeting the same defendants with unwarranted legal actions, thus streamlining the judicial process and alleviating pressure on courts that handle these cases.

Summary

House Bill 05080 seeks to amend the general statutes regarding civil processes that are filed for malicious purposes or to harass individuals, particularly victims of crimes. The bill aims to establish criteria that would limit the actions of individuals who have been convicted of crimes, preventing them from initiating civil actions against their victims. This is intended to provide a level of protection to those who have already suffered through criminal proceedings, ensuring they do not face additional undue stress or harassment through civil litigation.

Contention

Notably, the bill expands upon existing laws by making certain standards for subpoenas in civil actions applicable to all plaintiffs. Previously, such provisions were limited to self-represented litigants (pro se). This expansion raises discussions regarding fairness in legal processes and whether it adequately balances the rights of victims against those of defendants who may wish to assert their claims without facing harassment.