Three Strikes and Habitual Offender Laws in Connecticut

Connecticut's repeat-offender law is called the persistent offender statute. A persistent dangerous felony offender (convicted of a listed violent crime such as manslaughter, arson, kidnapping, first- or second-degree robbery, first-degree assault, home invasion or first-degree burglary, after a prior prison term of more than one year for a listed crime) faces up to twice the normal maximum or 40 years, whichever is greater; with two prior such convictions and prison terms, the sentence can be up to life. A persistent serious felony offender (any felony after a prior prison term of more than one year) may be sentenced for the next more serious class of felony. A persistent felony offender (a felony other than class D or E after two prior such felonies within ten years) may also be sentenced one class higher, with at least 3 years that cannot be suspended or reduced. There are separate persistent-offender rules for sex offenses, larceny and drug possession.