Connecticut Case Commentaries

Due Process Confrontation Balancing in Probation Revocation: State v. Wade

Date: Apr 23, 2025

Due Process Confrontation Balancing in Probation Revocation: State v. Wade Introduction The Connecticut Supreme Court’s decision in State of Connecticut v. Jaquan Wade (SC 20983, decided April 22,...

Assignment of Municipal Tax Liens under §12-195h: Standing, Summary Judgment, and Foreclosure Practice

Date: Apr 16, 2025

Assignment of Municipal Tax Liens under §12-195h: Standing, Summary Judgment, and Foreclosure Practice Introduction Cazenovia Creek Funding I, LLC (later Benchmark Municipal Tax Services, Ltd.) v....

Judicial Review of Agency Authority When Regulating Attorney-Supervised Debt Negotiation

Date: Apr 9, 2025

Judicial Review of Agency Authority When Regulating Attorney-Supervised Debt Negotiation Introduction Commonwealth Servicing Group, LLC and Commonwealth Law Group, a national consumer-advocate law...

Permissive Intervention for Nonrelative Foster Parents in Neglect Proceedings: Dissent Warns of Constitutional and Systemic Risks

Date: Apr 2, 2025

Permissive Intervention for Nonrelative Foster Parents in Neglect Proceedings: Dissent Warns of Constitutional and Systemic Risks Introduction In In re Jewelyette M., the Supreme Court of Connecticut...

Foster Parents’ Procedural Role Refined: Presence as Part of the § 46b‑129(p) “Right to Be Heard,” But Party Intervention Should Be Exceptional — Commentary on In re Jewelyette M. (Mullins, C.J., Concurrence & Dissent)

Date: Apr 2, 2025

Foster Parents’ Procedural Role Refined: Presence as Part of the § 46b‑129(p) “Right to Be Heard,” But Party Intervention Should Be Exceptional — Commentary on In re Jewelyette M. (Mullins, C.J.,...

Permissive Intervention by Foster Parents Restored: Connecticut Supreme Court Overrules In re Ryan C. and Clarifies the Statutory “Right to Be Heard”

Date: Apr 2, 2025

Permissive Intervention by Foster Parents Restored: Connecticut Supreme Court Overrules In re Ryan C. and Clarifies the Statutory “Right to Be Heard” Introduction In a far-reaching decision for...

Absolute Litigation Privilege Shields Governmental Participants from CHRO Discrimination Claims Based on In‑Court Conduct in Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings

Date: Apr 2, 2025

Absolute Litigation Privilege Shields Governmental Participants from CHRO Discrimination Claims Based on In‑Court Conduct in Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings Introduction In Ammar I. v....

No Live Controversy, No Stay: Justice D’Auria’s Mootness Framework and Appellate Restraint in Connecticut Child‑Protection Cases

Date: Apr 2, 2025

No Live Controversy, No Stay: Justice D’Auria’s Mootness Framework and Appellate Restraint in Connecticut Child‑Protection Cases Introduction This commentary examines the first dissenting opinion by...

When Absence Equals Forfeiture: A Warned Refusal to Return to Court Extinguishes the Right to Self‑Representation for the Remainder of Trial (State v. Petteway, Conn. 2025)

Date: Apr 2, 2025

When Absence Equals Forfeiture: A Warned Refusal to Return to Court Extinguishes the Right to Self‑Representation for the Remainder of Trial (State v. Petteway, Conn. 2025) Introduction State v....

Maximum Medical Improvement Does Not Mandate Conversion to Permanency: ALJ Discretion to Continue § 31-308(a) Temporary Partial Benefits “In Lieu Of” § 31-308(b) Benefits

Date: Mar 19, 2025

Maximum Medical Improvement Does Not Mandate Conversion to Permanency: ALJ Discretion to Continue § 31-308(a) Temporary Partial Benefits “In Lieu Of” § 31-308(b) Benefits I. Introduction Case:...

Establishing Limits on Prosecutorial Impropriety and Evidentiary Reliability: Lessons from STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. RICHARD G. DABATE

Date: Mar 14, 2025

Establishing Limits on Prosecutorial Impropriety and Evidentiary Reliability: Lessons from STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. RICHARD G. DABATE Introduction This comprehensive commentary examines the Supreme...

State v. Dabate: Fitbit Data Admissible Under Porter Without Proprietary Algorithm Proof; Oral Expert Opinions Must Be Disclosed Under Practice Book § 40-11

Date: Mar 12, 2025

State v. Dabate: Fitbit Data Admissible Under Porter Without Proprietary Algorithm Proof; Oral Expert Opinions Must Be Disclosed Under Practice Book § 40-11 I. Introduction In State v. Dabate, 351...

Expanding the Duty to Advise: Attorney Liability to Third-Party Beneficiaries in Estate Planning

Date: Mar 8, 2025

Expanding the Duty to Advise: Attorney Liability to Third-Party Beneficiaries in Estate Planning I. Introduction The case of John Wisniewski et al. v. Anthony J. Palermino et al. presents a...

Balancing Act: Establishing the Two-Part Test for Prior Misconduct Evidence

Date: Mar 5, 2025

Balancing Act: Establishing the Two-Part Test for Prior Misconduct Evidence Introduction In State of Connecticut v. Marcello E., the Supreme Court of Connecticut confronted a critical evidentiary...

Admissibility of Gang Affiliation and Consciousness of Guilt Evidence: New Precedents from STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. BRANDON JONES

Date: Feb 28, 2025

Admissibility of Gang Affiliation and Consciousness of Guilt Evidence: New Precedents from STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. BRANDON JONES Introduction In the case of STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. BRANDON JONES, the...

Clarifying the Appealability of Preliminary Agency Rulings in CHRO Proceedings

Date: Feb 25, 2025

Clarifying the Appealability of Preliminary Agency Rulings in CHRO Proceedings Introduction The case of CITY OF STAMFORD v. COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES, OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS, ET...

No Cause of Action for Loss of Filial Consortium: Connecticut Supreme Court’s Deliberation on Parent-Child Relational Claims

Date: Feb 12, 2025

No Cause of Action for Loss of Filial Consortium: Connecticut Supreme Court’s Deliberation on Parent-Child Relational Claims Introduction The case of L. L. et al. v. Newell Brands, Inc., et al....

Connecticut Supreme Court Reinstates Troupe Doctrine in Sexual Assault Jury Instructions

Date: Feb 10, 2025

Connecticut Supreme Court Reinstates Troupe Doctrine in Sexual Assault Jury Instructions Introduction In the landmark case of State of Connecticut v. Adam P., the Connecticut Supreme Court addressed...

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules Law Firms Cannot Recover Punitive Damages for Client's Breach of Contract Without Provable Independent Tort

Date: Feb 7, 2025

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules Law Firms Cannot Recover Punitive Damages for Client's Breach of Contract Without Provable Independent Tort Introduction In the landmark case of MCCARTER & ENGLISH,...

State of Connecticut v. Karin Ziolkowski: Navigating Amnesia Claims and Social Media Evidence in Ensuring Fair Trials

Date: Feb 1, 2025

State of Connecticut v. Karin Ziolkowski: Navigating Amnesia Claims and Social Media Evidence in Ensuring Fair Trials Introduction In State of Connecticut v. Karin Ziolkowski, the Supreme Court of...