A basic knowledge of Connecticut courts and judges can be beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it doesn’t hurt to understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Connecticut courts and Connecticut judges, keep the following in mind:

1. The Connecticut court system consists of Superior and Probate Courts.

2. The Supreme Court in Connecticut and Appellate Court only hear appellate cases.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through Connecticut court records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate courts and judges in CT

Superior courts in Connecticut handle civil, criminal, family and juvenile cases. The probate courts have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving trusts, estates, guardianship, conservators and even name changes. Of the 169 towns in Connecticut, 123 of them have a probate court to handle matters for that local community. Unlike the often extensive waiting time for cases heard in the superior courts, probate cases typically see a court room within four weeks. It is an informal atmosphere and the judge wears dress clothes rather than a robe.

I recommend: Review case information at the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch – Case Look-up. Obtain contact information for judges in Connecticut superior courts at the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch – Superior Court Judges. Use the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch – Where to File a Civil Case to locate the correct court in which to file your civil petition.

File an appeal with the Supreme Court of Connecticut and appellate court in Connecticut

The Connecticut Supreme Court and Appellate Court hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the Connecticut appellate courts and their decisions are final. There are eight judges in Connecticut Supreme Court. The Appellate Court has 10 judges.

I recommend: To understand the appellate process better, access the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch – Overview of the Supreme Court. Examine the biographies of judges in CT Appellate Court on the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch – Connecticut Appellate Court Judges.

Access records from the bankruptcy court in Connecticut

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Connecticut Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. The Connecticut Bankruptcy court provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Connecticut bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Navigate the US Bankruptcy Court – District of Connecticut for bankruptcy forms, fees and local rules. Visit the bankruptcy court records search on the District of Connecticut Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of courts and judges in Connecticut, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.