In a nonsummary contempt proceeding, if the judicial authority declares in advance of trial that the total effective sentence, if the defendant is found guilty, shall not exceed thirty days imprisonment, or a fine of $99, no right to jury trial shall affix. If the total effective sentence may exceed thirty days or a fine in excess of $99, the defendant shall be accorded the right to a jury trial.
Section 1-20.—Where No Right to Jury Trial in Nonsummary Proceeding
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceExplains when a defendant in a nonsummary contempt proceeding has no right to a jury trial versus when that right attaches, based on the maximum sentence the judicial authority declares in advance.
Full Text of Section 1-20
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 993.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 1-20 ties the right to a jury trial in a nonsummary contempt proceeding to the maximum punishment the judicial authority sets before trial begins. If the judicial authority declares in advance that the total effective sentence, should the defendant be found guilty, will not exceed thirty days imprisonment or a fine of $99, no right to a jury trial attaches.
If the judicial authority does not limit the potential sentence that way, and the total effective sentence may exceed thirty days imprisonment or a fine of more than $99, the defendant is entitled to a jury trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a defendant lose the right to a jury trial in a Connecticut contempt case?
When the judicial authority declares in advance of trial that the total effective sentence, if the defendant is found guilty, will not exceed thirty days imprisonment or a $99 fine.
What sentence threshold triggers the right to a jury trial for contempt?
If the total effective sentence may exceed thirty days imprisonment or a fine over $99, the defendant is entitled to a jury trial.
Who decides whether a contempt defendant gets a jury trial?
The judicial authority decides by declaring, in advance of trial, the ceiling on the total effective sentence the defendant could face.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 1-20). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: right to jury trial contempt Connecticutjury trial threshold contempt finethirty day contempt sentence rule$99 fine contempt jury trialwhen no jury trial nonsummary contempt