(a) The court may, in the disposition of any criminal or motor vehicle case, including a dismissal or the imposition of a sentence, consider the fact that the defendant has made a monetary contribution to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund established under § 54-215 or a contribution of community service work hours to a private nonprofit charity or other nonprofit organization.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 54-56h

  • Charity: An agency, institution, or organization in existence and operating for the benefit of an indefinite number of persons and conducted for educational, religious, scientific, medical, or other beneficent purposes.
  • 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:

(b) In entering a nolle prosequi, the state’s attorney, assistant state’s attorney or deputy assistant state’s attorney in charge of the case may consider the fact that the defendant has made a monetary contribution to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund or a contribution of community service work hours to a private nonprofit charity or other nonprofit organization.

(c) A monetary contribution made by a defendant to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund as provided in this section may be paid to either the clerk of the court or the Office of Victim Services.