Practice Book - Connecticut Judicial Branch

1 OFFICIAL2007 CONNECTICUTPRACTICEBOOK(Revisionof1998)O FFICIAL2007 CONNECTICUTPRACTICEBOOK(Revisionof1998)C ONTAININGRULESOFPROFESSIONALCONDUCTCODEO FJUDICIALCONDUCTRULESFORTHESUPERIORCOURT RULESOFAPPELLATEPROCEDUREAPPENDIXOFFORMS P ublishedbyTheCommissiononOfficialLegalPu blications CopyrightedbytheSecretaryoftheStateofthe StateofConnecticut 2007bytheSecretaryoftheState,StateofConn ecticut CopyrightedbytheSecretaryoftheStateofthe StateofConnecticutEXPLANATORYNOTESTheSup eriorCourtRulesasorganizedhereinwerefirs tpublishedin theConnecticutLawJournaldatedJuly29, , addition,this2007editionof thePracticeBookcontainsamendmentstotheRu lesofProfessionalConduct, theConnecticutLawJournalsdatedJuly25,200 6,andAugust22, parentheticalnotationabouttheoriginofeac hruleis ( ) (1998)indicatesthatthesectionwasnewinthe 1998 PracticeBook,takingeffectOctober1, ,1997,appearin ( ) (1998)indicatesthatthesectionwasmodeledo na rulein the1978-1997 PracticeBook,butwasactuallyadoptedforthe firsttimetotakeeffectOctober1, Thetemporarynumbersassignedtothoserulesi ntheJuly29, sectionwasadoptedoramendedafter1997,a parentheticalnotationto thateffectappearseitherimmediatelyfollow ingthetextofthesection,orfollowingthepar entheticalnotationconcerningthederivatio nof PracticeBookChangesfollowingthetextof therulesdocumentsthedatesonwhichruleswer eadopted, ,Historiescorrespondingto therulechangestakingeffectJanuary1, 2000,appearedonlyin the2000editionofthePracticeBookandnotin theeditionofthePracticeBookcorresponding totheyearoftheruleoramendment,withtheexc eptionof theCommentariesto therulesonsealingof filesandclosureof thecourtroom,whichwillberetainedona , ,approvedbytheRulesCommitteeoftheSuperio rCourttoexplaintherevisionstotheRulesofP rofessionalConductandCodeof JudicialConduct.

2 Appearonlyin theeditionof thePracticeBookcorrespondingto CopyrightedbytheSecretaryoftheStateofthe StateofConnecticutThesystemusedtonumbere achsectionis ,andthesecondpartdesignatesthenumberof thesectionwithinthatchapter.(Chapter1 beginswith1-1,chapter2 with2-1,etc.)Theinternalbreakdownofindiv idualrulesfollowsthestyleof parenthe-ses,(a),(b),subdivisionsaredesi gnatedbynumbersin parentheses,(1),(2),andsubpara-graphsare designatedbyuppercaselettersinparenthese s,(A),(B).TheRulesofAppellateProcedure,a swellastheSuperiorCourtRules,werereorgan izedin ,1997 ConnecticutLawJournalandwaspublishedinth isvolumeforthefirsttimein reorganizingtheRulesofAppellateProcedure wastopresentthemin theorderinwhichanappellantmightapproacht heappealprocess, ,rulesonwhethertoappeal,howtofile,whatto donext,whenargumentwilltakeplace, thecourseof reorganization, 2002, ,2003, theConnecticutLawJournalofJuly23, ,2002 ConnecticutLawJournalgavenoticethattheru lesonjuvenilematters,which,since1998,had beenfoundin chapters26through35, ,however, ,technicaleditorialchangesaremadetoa ,butnotall, CopyrightedbytheSecretaryoftheStateofthe StateofConnecticutTABLEOFCONTENTSA ttorney sOath.

3 1 RulesofProfessionalConductPreamble..1 Scope..3 RulesandCommentaries..5 CodeofJudicialConduct..64 SuperiorCourtRulesandRulesofAppellatePro cedureChapterandSectionHeadingsoftheRule s..70 SuperiorCourt GeneralProvisionsChapter1 ScopeofRules..88 Chapter2 Attorneys..94 Chapter3 Appearances..135 Chapter4 Pleadings..140 Chapter5 Trials..142 Chapter6 Judgments..144 Chapter7 Clerks;FilesandRecords..146 SuperiorCourt Procedurein CivilMattersChapter8 CommencementofAction..152 Chapter9 Parties..155 Chapter10 Pleadings..159 Chapter11 Motions,Requests,OrdersofNotice,andShort Calendar..171 Chapter12 TransferofActions..179 Chapter13 DiscoveryandDepositions..180 Chapter14 Dockets,TrialLists,PretrialsandAssignmen tLists..195 Chapter15 Trialsin General;ArgumentbyCounsel..200 Chapter16 JuryTrials..202 Chapter17 Judgments..208 Chapter18 FeesandCosts..219 Chapter19 References..222 Chapter20 Hearingsin Chambers..225 Chapter21 Receivers..226 Chapter22 UnemploymentCompensation.

4 230 Chapter23 MiscellaneousRemediesandProcedures..232 Chapter24 SmallClaims..243 SuperiorCourt Procedurein FamilyMattersChapter25 GeneralProvisions..250 SuperiorCourt Procedurein JuvenileMattersChapter26 Definitions..266 Chapter27 ReceptionandProcessingofNonjudicialDelin quency,FamilywithServiceNeeds,orYouthin CrisisComplaints,orPetitions..269 Chapter28 DelinquencyandFamilywithServiceNeedsNonj udicialSupervision[Repealed].272 Chapter29 ReceptionandProcessingofDelinquency,Chil dfromFamilywithServiceNeedsandYouthin CrisisPetitionsandDelinquencyInformation s..273 Chapter30 Detention..274 Chapter30aDelinquency,FamilywithServiceN eedsandYouthin CrisisHearings..277v CopyrightedbytheSecretaryoftheStateofthe StateofConnecticutChapter31 DelinquencyandFamilywithServiceNeedsHear ing[Repealed]..279 Chapter31aDelinquency,FamilywithServiceN eedsandYouthin CrisisMotionsandApplica-tions..280 Chapter32 Neglected,UncaredforandDependentChildren andTerminationof ParentalRights[Repealed].

5 284 Chapter32aRightsof Parties,Neglected,UncaredforandDependent ChildrenandTerminationofParentalRights.. 285 Chapter33 HearingsConcerningNeglected,Uncaredforan dDependentChildrenandTermina-tionofParen talRights[Repealed]..287 Chapter33aPetitionsforNeglect,Uncaredfor ,DependencyandTerminationof ParentalRights:InitiationofProceedings,O rdersofTemporaryCustodyandPreliminaryHea rings..288 Chapter34 RightsofParties[Repealed]..291 Chapter34aPleadings,MotionsandDiscoveryN eglected,UncaredforandDependentChildrena ndTerminationofParentalRights..292 Chapter35 GeneralProvisions[Repealed]..297 Chapter35aHearingsConcerningNeglected,Un caredforandDependentChildrenandTermina-t ionofParentalRights..298 SuperiorCourt Procedurein CriminalMattersChapter36 ProcedurePriortoAppearance..304 Chapter37 Arraignment..308 Chapter38 PretrialRelease..310 Chapter39 DispositionwithoutTrial..317 Chapter40 DiscoveryandDepositions..321 Chapter41 PretrialMotions..331 Chapter42 TrialProcedure.

6 335 Chapter43 Sentencing,Judgment,andAppeal..346 Chapter44 GeneralProvisions..354 RulesofAppellateProcedureChapter60 GeneralProvisionsRelatingtoAppellateRule sandAppellateReview..361 Chapter61 RemedybyAppeal..363 Chapter62 ChiefJudge,AppellateClerkandDocket:Gener alAdministrativeMatters..371 Chapter63 FilingtheAppeal;Withdrawals..375 Chapter64 ProcedureConcerningMemorandumofDecision. .381 Chapter65 TransferofCases..382 Chapter66 MotionsandOtherProcedures..383 Chapter67 Briefs..386 Chapter68 Record..392 Chapter69 AssignmentofCasesforArgument..395 Chapter70 ArgumentsandMediaCoverageofCourtProceedi ngs..396 Chapter71 AppellateJudgmentsandOpinions..399 Chapter72 WritsofError..401 Chapter73 Reservations..402 Chapter74 AppealsfromJudicialReviewCouncil..403 Chapter75 AppealsfromCouncilonProbateJudicialCondu ct..405 Chapter76 Appealsin Workers CompensationCases..406 Chapter77 ProceduresconcerningCourtClosureandSeali ngOrdersorOrdersLimitingtheDisclosureofF iles,Affidavits,DocumentsorOtherMaterial .

7 408 Chapter78 ReviewofGrandJuryRecordorFindingOrder..4 10 Chapter78aReviewofOrdersConcerningReleas eonBail..411 Chapter79 Appealsin JuvenileMatters..412 Chapter80 Appealsin HabeasCorpusProceedingsFollowingConvicti on..413vi CopyrightedbytheSecretaryoftheStateofthe StateofConnecticutChapter81 AppealstoAppellateCourtbyCertificationfo rReviewin AccordancewithGeneralStatutesChapters124 and440..414 Chapter82 CertifiedQuestionsfromCourtsofOtherJuris dictions..416 Chapter83 CertificationPursuanttoGeneralStatutes 52-265ain CasesofSubstantialPublicInterest..418 Chapter84 AppealstoSupremeCourtbyCertificationforR eview..419 Chapter84aMatterswithinSupremeCourt sOriginalJurisdictionin whichFactsMayBeFound423 Chapter85 Sanctions..424 Chapter86 RulesChanges;EffectiveDate;Applicability ..425 TablesandIndexReferenceTable1978-1997to1 998..427 ReferenceTable1998to1978-1997..440 TableofPracticeBookChanges..451 TableofStatutesNoted..458 Index..461 Appendix:Forms.

8 493vii CopyrightedbytheSecretaryoftheStateofthe StateofConnecticutRULESOFPROFESSIONALCON DUCTTHEATTORNEY SOATHY ousolemnlyswearorsolemnlyandsincerelyaff irm,asthecasemaybe,thatyouwilldonothingd ishonest,andwillnotknowinglyallowanythin gdishonesttobedoneincourt,andthatyouwill informthecourtofanydishonestyofwhichyouh aveknowledge;thatyouwillnotknowinglymain tainorassistinmaintaininganycauseofactio nthatis falseorunlawful;thatyouwillnotobstructan ycauseofactionforpersonalgainormalice;bu tthatyouwillexercisetheofficeofattorney, inanycourtinwhichyoumaypractice,accordin gtothebestofyourlearningandjudgment,fait hfully,tobothyourclientandthecourt;sohel pyouGodoruponpenaltyofperjury.(GeneralSt atutes 1-25andannotations.)( ,2002.)RULESOFPROFESSIONALCONDUCTP reambleScopeRulesCommentariesPreamble:A Lawyer sResponsibilitiesIn allprofessionalfunctionsa lawyershouldbecompetent, lawyershouldA lawyer,asa memberof thelegalprofession,maintaincommunication witha clientconcerningisa representativeofclients, lawyershouldkeepin confi-legalsystemanda representativeofclients,a ,a clientwithaninformedunderstandingofAlawy er sconductshouldconformtothetheclient slegalrightsandobligationsandrequirement sof thelaw,bothin ,vicetoclientsandinthelawyer sbusinessanda lawyerzealouslyassertstheclient lawyershouldusethelaw sundertherulesof ,a lawyerseeksa resultadvantageousto ,a lawyerexam-thosewhoserveit, includingjudges,otherlawyersinesa client isa lawyer sduty,totheclientortoothersontheclient ,to challengetherectitudeof offi-In additionto theserepresentationalfunctions,cialactio n,it isalsoa lawyer sdutytoupholda lawyermayserveasa third-partyneutral, ,alawyershouldseekresolvea.

9 Accesstothelegalsys-Rulesapplydirectlyto lawyerswhoareorhavetem, , , ,thereareRulesthatmemberofa learnedprofession,a lawyershouldapplyto lawyerswhoarenotactivein thepracticecultivateknowledgeofthelawbey onditsuseforoflawortopracticinglawyersev enwhentheyclients, ,a lawyerwhocommitsfraudin thecon-lawyersshouldworktoensureequalacc esstoductofa businessissubjecttodisciplineforoursyste mofjusticeforallthosewho,becauseengaging inconductinvolvingdishonesty,fraud, ,cannotaffordor1 lawyershouldalsohelpsmaintainthelegalpro fession animportantforceintivesandshouldhelptheb arregulateitselfin thepreservinggovernmentunderlaw, a lawyer sprofessionalresponsibilitiesprofessionw hosemembersarenotdependentonareprescribe din , srelativeautonomycar-However,a lawyerisalsoguidedbypersonalrieswithit lawyershouldstriveto attainthehighestassurethatitsregulations areconceivedinthelevelofskill,toimprovet helawandthelegalpublicinterestandnotin furtheranceof parochialprofessionandto exemplifythelegalprofession responsibleforobservanceoftheRulesofA lawyer sresponsibilitiesasa lawyershouldalsoaidofclients, ,whenNeglectof theseresponsibilitiescompromisestheanopp osingpartyis wellrepresented,a lawyerindependenceoftheprofessionandthep ubliccanbea zealousadvocateonbehalfofa clientinterestwhichit thesametimeassumethatjusticeis beingLawyersplaya vitalrolein ,a ProfessionalCon-legaladvice,andtherebyhe edtheirlegalobliga-duct,whenproperlyappl ied,servetodefinetions, (AmendedJune26,2006, ,2007.)

10 In thenatureof lawpractice,however,conflict-HISTORY 2007:Priorto 2007,theRulesof : TheRulesdifficultethicalproblemsarisefro mconflictcontainedintheRulesofProfession alConductasadoptedbytheAmericanBarAssoci ationandasrecommended,withbetweena lawyer sresponsibilitiestoclients,torevisions,b ytheConnecticutBarAssociationforadoption thelegalsystemandtothelawyer sowninterestwereapprovedbythejudgesofthe superiorcourt,effectiveinremaininganethi calpersonwhileearningaOctober1, , ProfessionalCon-adoptedbytheAmericanBarA ssociationandasrecom-ductoftenprescribet ermsforresolvingsuchcon-mended,withrevis ions, ,foradoptionwereapprovedinprinciplebythe judgesofthesuperiorcourt,effectiveOctobe r1, ,however,manydifficultissuesof professionaldis-however, lawyer,butsimplyprovidea frame-throughtheexerciseof sensitiveprofessionalandworkfortheethica lpracticeoflaw. moraljudgmentguidedbythebasicprinciplesP riorto 2007, Preamble:A Lawyer sResponsibility Alawyeris a representativeofclients,anofficerofthele gallawyer sobligationzealouslytoprotectandpur-syst emanda slegitimateinterests,withinthe Asa representativeofclients,a lawyerperformsvariousboundsofthelaw,whil emaintaininga ,alawyerprovidesa clientwithansional,courteousandcivilatti tudetowardallper-informedunderstandingof theclient slegalrightsandobliga-sonsinvolvedin ,aThelegalprofessionis spositionundertherulesof ,a lawyerseeksa resultAlthoughotherprofessionsalsohavebe enadvantageoustotheclientbutconsistentwi threquirementsgrantedpowersof self-government,thelegalpro-of ,fessionis uniqueinthisrespectbecauseofthea lawyerseekstoreconciletheirdivergentinte restsasancloserelationshipbetweentheprof essionandtheadvisorand,toa limitedextent,asa lawyeractsasevaluatorbyexamininga client manifestedin thefactthatulti- Inallprofessionalfunctionsa lawyershouldbecompetent.