Connecticut General Statutes 54-85c – Representative of homicide victim entitled to be present at trial of defendant. Exclusion. Hearing
(a) For the purposes of this section, “representative of a homicide victim” means the legal representative of a victim of a homicide or a member of such victim’s immediate family selected by such family. In the event of a dispute, the court in its discretion may designate such representative.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 54-85c
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) A representative of a homicide victim shall be entitled to be present at the trial or any proceeding concerning the prosecution of the defendant for the homicide, except that a judge may remove such representative from the trial or proceeding or any portion thereof for the same causes and in the same manner as the rules of court or provisions of the general statutes provide for the exclusion or removal of the defendant. No representative of a homicide victim may be excluded from the proceedings under this section without a hearing.
(c) The failure of a representative of a homicide victim to exercise any right granted by the provisions of this section shall not be cause or ground for an appeal of a conviction by a defendant or for any court to set aside, reverse or remand a criminal conviction.