2011 Connecticut Code
Title 54 Criminal Procedure
Chapter 960 Information, Procedure and Bail
Sec. 54-56b. Right to dismissal or trial on nolle.

      Sec. 54-56b. Right to dismissal or trial on nolle. A nolle prosequi may not be entered as to any count in a complaint or information if the accused objects to the nolle prosequi and demands either a trial or dismissal, except with respect to prosecutions in which a nolle prosequi is entered upon a representation to the court by the prosecuting official that a material witness has died, disappeared or become disabled or that material evidence has disappeared or has been destroyed and that a further investigation is therefore necessary.

      (P.A. 80-313, S. 30.)

      History: (Revisor's note: This section was formerly part of Sec. 54-46. See Sec. 54-46 History re P.A. 80-313).

      Cited as Sec. 54-46. 180 C. 153. The court must accept the entry of the nolle prosequi for the record unless it is persuaded that prosecutor's exercise of discretion is clearly contrary to manifest public interest. 185 C. 199. Cited. 191 C. 27. Cited. 198 C. 435. Entry of nolles over defendant's objection fits within exception to rule of finality allowing appeal of interlocutory trial court rulings that, if erroneous, cannot later be remedied. 209 C. 52. Gives a defendant right to have criminal charge disposed of with finality by dismissal with prejudice. Id., 133. Cited. 214 C. 616. Cited. 233 C. 44. Cited. 240 C. 590. Trial court properly allowed the entry of nolle prosequi based on the state's representations that a key witness against defendant was unavailable due to the witness' intent to assert his fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination, and the court was not required to conduct an evidentiary hearing re the state's representations. 289 C. 598. The nolle prosequi functionally converted into a dismissal without prejudice pursuant to Sec. 54-142a(c) after thirteen months had elapsed, therefore the state was not barred from bringing charges against defendant four years later and defendant's right to a speedy trial was not violated. Id.

      Cited. 5 CA 347. Cited. 10 CA 217. Cited. 11 CA 224. Cited. 40 CA 705; judgment reversed, see 240 C. 590. Cited. 44 CA 162. Defendant's objection to entry of nolle made seven weeks after it had been entered was not timely and fell outside limited jurisdiction retained by the court following entry of a nolle. 111 CA 397.