Connecticut Murder Laws

Connecticut murder laws define murder as intentionally causing the death of another person, categorized into standard murder, felony murder, and murder with special circumstances. Standard murder carries a sentence of 25 to 60 years in prison, while felony murder and murder with special circumstances result in life imprisonment without parole. Defenses and mitigating factors include self-defense, insanity, or extreme emotional disturbance. 

Every state has several types of criminal homicide, including murder and manslaughter. Most states divide murder into first-degree and second-degree murder. Some states even recognize third-degree murder.

Connecticut is unique in that it does not recognize first and second-degree murder. Instead, the Connecticut criminal code categorizes murder based on the specific facts of the case. For example, if a defendant kills a police officer or a child, they will likely face the most serious charges. Someone who causes the death of another person in a car accident would most likely face lesser charges.

Here, we’ll explain how Connecticut’s murder laws work, including the penalties and defenses to this crime. If you’re facing murder charges, you should consult a criminal defense attorney sooner rather than later. You should also visit the links in the “Related FindLaw Resources” section at the end of this article.

How Does Connecticut Law Define Murder?

The Connecticut criminal statutes define murder as intentionally causing the death of another person. Specifically, the state recognizes three types of murder, including:

• Standard murder - The intentional killing of another human being
• Felony murder - Killing a third party while committing a violent crime
• Murder with special circumstances - These crimes used to qualify as capital felonies; however, when the state repealed the death penalty in 2012, it reclassified these crimes as murder involving special circumstances.

Standard Murder in Connecticut

Any type of murder is a serious crime. One of the most severe cases of murder involves someone who intentionally takes the life of another human being. Specifically, Connecticut law defines murder as deliberately causing the death of another person or using duress, deception, or force to cause another person to commit suicide.

The punishment for standard murder in Connecticut is a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 60 years.

Felony Murder

In Connecticut, felony murder involves the death of a victim during the intentional commission of a felony. Unlike general murder, the defendant did not need to intend the death of the other person to be convicted of felony murder.

For example, a person may face felony murder charges if someone dies while they commit or flee from a burglary.

The crimes eligible for felony murder in Connecticut include the following Class B felonies and Class C felonies:

• Kidnapping
• Sexual assault
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Home invasion
• Prison escape

While some states will charge a person with felony murder if a co-conspirator dies during the commission of a felony, this isn’t the case in Connecticut. To secure a conviction of felony murder, the prosecutor must prove that the victim was not a participant in the underlying crime.

In Connecticut, murder is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Murder with Special Circumstances

Connecticut law calls for more severe penalties for murder cases that involve special circumstances. These are crimes that were once punishable by death. Today, the mandatory penalty for people guilty of murder with special circumstances is a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The following situations qualify as special circumstances for purposes of murder charges in Connecticut:

• Killing a police officer, judge, firefighter, or Department of Corrections employee
• Murder for hire (contract killing)
• Committing murder with a previous murder conviction
• Killing another person while serving a life sentence
• Killing a victim during a kidnapping
• Taking a human life during a rape
• Killing multiple people during a single criminal transaction
• Killing someone under 16 years of age

The penalty for murder with special circumstances is life without parole.

Connecticut Murder Laws

The following table outlines the murder laws in Connecticut.

Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a Connecticut criminal defense lawyer or conduct further research to verify your state's laws.

Contact a Criminal Law Defense Lawyer Near You

If you’re facing murder charges, then you need a Connecticut criminal defense attorney. Your attorney will help fight the charges and work hard to achieve an acquittal. Worst case, they’ll help negotiate a favorable plea bargain or reduced prison sentence.

Related FindLaw Resources

• First-Degree Murder Overview
• First Degree Murder Penalties and Sentencing
• Second-Degree Murder Overview
• Second-degree Penalties and Sentencing
• Criminally Negligent Homicide
• First-Degree Manslaughter
• Second-Degree Manslaughter