Connecticut General Statutes 54-76h – Proceedings private. Segregation of defendant in place of detention. Presence of victim at proceeding
(a) All of the proceedings had under the provisions of sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, 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. If the defendant is committed while any examination and investigation under section 54-76d is pending, before trial, during trial or after judgment and before sentence, those persons in charge of the place of detention shall segregate the defendant, to the extent of their facilities, from defendants over the age of eighteen years charged with crime.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 54-76h
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Victim advocate: work with prosecutors and assist the victims of a crime.
(b) In a proceeding under sections 54-76b to 54-76n, inclusive, the court shall not exclude any victim and a victim’s next of kin from such proceeding or any portion thereof unless, after hearing from the parties and the victim or a victim’s next of kin and for good cause shown, which shall be clearly and specifically stated on the record, the court orders otherwise. For the purposes of this subsection, “victim” means a person who is the victim of a crime for which a youth is charged, a parent or guardian of such person, the legal representative of such person or a victim advocate for such person under section 54-220, and “next of kin” means a spouse, adult child, a parent, an adult sibling, an aunt, an uncle or a grandparent.