Friends and Neighbors,
I want to share some breaking news regarding efforts to curb car thefts: starting September 1, the CT Judicial Branch will provide police departments with 24/7 access to juvenile arrest records to help curb car thefts and break-ins.
The Judicial Branch and local police have struggled to share juvenile criminal history and that has hampered efforts to detain, investigate, and prosecute repeat offenders.
This is what the new policies look like:
Police departments will have the ability to seek and receive information regarding a juvenile’s prior criminal history if there is one (i.e., probation, pending cases/conditions of release, pending orders, convictions/adjudication, and suspended detention orders) at any time, even nights and weekends.
Police departments will have discretion if they need to seek additional information beyond what’s listed above.
The same discretion still applies for detention orders.
The turnaround time for this information between police departments and the Juvenile Probation Office is estimated to be around one hour, effectively ending what people call “catch and release” of repeat offenders, as it will happen within the maximum time of six hours to hold a juvenile before applying for detention (i.e. gives officers time to receive this pertinent information and apply for a detention order well before the six hours is up).
The turnaround time for this information between police departments and the Juvenile Probation Office is estimated to be around one hour, effectively ending what people call “catch and release” of repeat offenders, as it will happen within the maximum time of six hours to hold a juvenile before applying for detention (i.e. gives officers time to receive this pertinent information and apply for a detention order well before the six hours is up).
This change comes after speaking with police chiefs across the state who told us they didn’t have access to information they needed to get the worst offenders off the streets. This change is critical in the effort to solve this statewide and national issue.
I am pleased the Judicial Department heard the concerns legislators brought forth on behalf of our constituents and police officers.
Both the Ansonia and Derby Police Departments are asking for your assistance by taking your car keys inside your homes, locking your doors, and keeping valuables out of sight.
Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
This is a press release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby.
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