Connecticut Public Records

Connecticut is located in the northeastern part of the United States. It is the 48th largest state in size with just over 5,500 square miles and a population of 3.5 million residents. Connecticut's early economy benefited from manufacturing and industrial development. Today, Connecticut's economy has shifted to insurance, financial and the service industries. There are eight counties and 169 towns that serve as local municipalities of Connecticut. Towns are local governments of the state containing law enforcement such as the police department, tax collectors such as the assessors office, registrars of voters, probate court, town clerks and officials.

State and local government clerks, amongst other services, provide Connecticut residents with recorded documents on a regular basis. As each state's sunshine laws (also know as Freedom of Information statutes) allow anyone without having a reason free access to government agency information. This includes all agencies within the state with exceptions for confidentiality and privacy. Requests for information are made for personal and business purposes.

A Connecticut background check covers many areas of a person's past history. Beginning your search efficiently by referencing an index of best found resources to conduct a comprehensive search can show which government agency is the custodian of the record you are seeking. By accessing the Connecticut Department of Public Safety site directly you can view how to order a criminal history search or a letter of good conduct. A search of the Connecticut judicial branch can expand your search to include criminal motor vehicle case look up. State and local courts in Connecticut keep many records essential to a complete background search. Civil case detail search provided by the Connecticut judicial branch allows browsers to obtain divorce information and other civil actions. Lookup upcoming criminal trials with free online court calendars. Order copies of judgements in criminal, probate court and small claims cases heard in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Superior courts are divided in the civil, criminal for felonies and misdemeanors, housing and family divisions. A separate probate court hears cases involving estates, trusts,  adoptions, conservators, mentally ill, guardians, estates of minors, exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving torts, contracts, real property rights, small claims (where the amount in controversy is from $0-$2,500), and administrative agency appeals (except workers' compensation), hear cases involving support or custody, paternity, and other miscellaneous domestic relations matters, with exclusive jurisdiction over marriage dissolution matters. Criminal superior court has exclusive jurisdiction over criminal matters. Furthermore, it has exclusive traffic/other violation jurisdiction, except for uncontested parking matters (which are handled administratively). Exclusive juvenile jurisdiction.

Appellate courts have mandatory jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal, administrative agency (workers' compensation), juvenile, lawyer disciplinary, and original proceeding matters, discretionary jurisdiction to hear administrative agency (zoning only) cases.

The state's highest court is the Supreme court with mandatory jurisdiction in civil matters, capital criminal matters, criminal matters and judge disciplinary matters, discretionary jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal matters, and administrative agency matters.