Harassment and Stalking Laws in Connecticut

Harassment in the second degree, a Class C misdemeanor (up to three months), is communicating by mail, email, text, social media, phone or other means, with intent to harass, terrorize or alarm and for no legitimate purpose, in a manner likely to cause terror, intimidation or alarm. Threatening to kill or injure someone in writing or electronically is harassment in the first degree, a Class D felony, when the person has certain prior serious felony convictions. Stalking in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, is knowingly engaging in a course of conduct (including through electronic or social media) that would make a reasonable person fear for safety or suffer emotional distress, and also covers threatening someone's job and malicious online posting of personal information (doxxing). Stalking becomes first degree, a Class D felony (up to five years), with a prior stalking conviction, a violation of a court order, an adult 22 or older targeting a victim under 16, or bias motivation. Using electronic services to surveil or harass someone with intent to kill, injure, harass or intimidate is electronic stalking, also a Class D felony; repeatedly following or lying in wait is third-degree stalking, a Class B misdemeanor.

Connecticut's rule on court-appointed lawyers: The Division of Public Defender Services represents indigent defendants. An 'indigent defendant' includes a person formally charged with a crime punishable by imprisonment who lacks the financial ability, at the time of the request, to secure competent counsel. A public defender investigates the person's finances and has the person complete a written statement under oath or affirmation of liabilities, assets, income and sources of income. On and after July 1, 2025, eligibility is assessed under guidelines set by the Public Defender Services Commission, and a person whose income under those guidelines is two hundred fifty per cent or less of the federal poverty level may qualify. The court, after the public defender's investigation, appoints counsel if it finds the defendant indigent. In a misdemeanor case the court need not appoint counsel if it states on the record that the case will be resolved without immediate incarceration or a suspended sentence with probation. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 51-296(a), 51-297(a), (f)

Lawyers set their own fees, and Connecticut has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Connecticut for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.

How release before trial works in Connecticut: After arrest, a bail commissioner (or intake, assessment and referral specialist) must promptly order release on the first condition found sufficient to reasonably ensure appearance (§ 54-63d). At arraignment, the Superior Court must order release on the first of these conditions found sufficient to reasonably ensure appearance in court: (A) a written promise to appear without special conditions; (B) a written promise to appear with nonfinancial conditions; (C) a bond without surety in no greater amount than necessary; (D) a bond with surety in no greater amount than necessary — and a judge may not prohibit a bond from being posted by surety. For a person charged only with a misdemeanor, the court may not impose financial conditions of release unless the charge is a family violence crime, the person requests it, or the court finds a likely risk of flight, obstruction or threats to safety. Factors the court may consider include the nature and circumstances of the offense, prior convictions, record of appearance, family and community ties, employment, financial resources and mental condition. Certain serious firearm offenders must deposit at least thirty per cent of any bond amount directly with the court. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 54-63d, 54-64a What happens after an arrest.

Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Connecticut expungement and record sealing rules.