Section 25-43.—The Return
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section requires the return to respond to the petition’s allegations and to allege the facts supporting any claim of procedural default, abuse of the writ, or other reason the petitioner is not entitled to relief.
Full Text of Section 25-43
The return shall respond to the allegations of the petition and shall allege any facts in support of any claim of procedural default, abuse of the writ, or any other claim that the petitioner is not entitled to relief.
End
Amendment History
(P.B. 1998.)
Plain-English Summary
The return is the respondent’s pleading. It responds to the allegations of the petition, and it alleges any facts supporting a claim that the petitioner is not entitled to relief — procedural default, abuse of the writ, or any other such claim.
Because the return has to allege the facts rather than simply assert the defence, the petitioner can meet it in the reply that Section 25-44 requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a return in a Connecticut habeas case?
The respondent’s pleading. It responds to the allegations of the petition and alleges any facts supporting a claim of procedural default, abuse of the writ, or any other claim that the petitioner is not entitled to relief.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-43). 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: habeas return Connecticut familyPractice Book section 25-43procedural default habeas CT