Connecticut Law
Connecticut residents are subject to Connecticut state and U.S. federal laws. Federal laws apply in Connecticut as they do across all 50 states. In addition to the U.S. Constitution, which is the supreme law of the U.S., federal laws include statutes that are periodically codified in the U.S. Code. Federal laws also include decisions by courts that interpret federal laws. Finally, federal laws include regulations issued by federal administrative agencies to implement federal laws. You can explore federal laws and related resources by visiting the federal law section of the Justia site.
The state of Connecticut also has its own state laws. Connecticut state laws include the Connecticut Constitution, laws passed by the Connecticut legislature and periodically codified in the Connecticut General Statutes, and decisions by courts that interpret Connecticut laws.
The current Connecticut Constitution dates from 1965, but it largely reaffirmed the original version of this document, which was adopted in 1818. Article XII provides the process for amending the Constitution through legislative referral. Putting a legislatively referred amendment on a ballot usually requires a simple majority vote by each chamber of the legislature in two successive sessions. If at least 75 percent of each chamber vote in favor of the amendment in the first session, however, no second vote is required. Meanwhile, Article XIII provides the process for calling a constitutional convention. A proposal for a constitutional convention will appear on a ballot if two-thirds of each chamber vote in favor, or automatically at 20-year intervals.
The Connecticut General Statutes contain the laws passed by the Connecticut legislature. These laws and the provisions of the Connecticut Constitution are often interpreted by the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Connecticut Appellate Court. The federal Connecticut District Court also issues decisions that may affect Connecticut residents. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals holds the authority to review decisions by the Connecticut District Court. Sometimes the U.S. Supreme Court may review a case that has been appealed from the Second Circuit or from the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Connecticut Constitution
Connecticut General Statutes
- 2019 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2018 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2016 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2015 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2014 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2013 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2012 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2011 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2009 Connecticut General Statutes
- 2005 Connecticut General Statutes
Connecticut Case Law
- Connecticut Supreme Court Decisions
- Connecticut Court of Appeals Decisions
- Connecticut Superior Court Decisions
Federal Courts - Connecticut
Connecticut State Resources
