Public Intoxication in Connecticut

Being drunk in public is not listed as a crime in Connecticut's penal code. Instead, the law treats it as a health matter: a police officer may, with the person's consent, help an intoxicated person in a public place get home or to a treatment facility or hospital, and must take a person who appears incapacitated by alcohol into protective custody and bring them to a treatment facility or hospital. The statute says protective custody is not an arrest and no record may be made indicating that the person was arrested or charged with a crime. Disruptive behavior while drunk can still be charged under other laws such as disorderly conduct or breach of the peace.

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.