(a) For the purposes of this section, “victim” includes the legal representative of the victim or a member of the deceased victim’s immediate family.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 51-286e

  • Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(b) The state’s attorney for a judicial district wherein an offense has been committed shall notify any victim of the offense, if such victim has requested notification and provided the state’s attorney with a current address, of any judicial proceedings relating to the victim’s case including (1) the arrest of the defendant, (2) the arraignment of the defendant, (3) the release of the defendant pending judicial proceedings, and (4) proceedings in the prosecution of the defendant, including the dismissal of the charges against the defendant, the entry of a nolle prosequi to the charges against the defendant, the entry of a plea of guilty by the defendant, and the trial and sentencing of the defendant.