CT HB05253

Revises failure to appear statutes (Sections 53a-172 and 53a-173) effective October 1, 2010, to expand the scope of probation violation hearings to include "any court hearing relating to a violation of such probation" rather than only violation of probation hearings.

Changes jury non-appearance penalties from infractions to civil penalties with amounts established by Superior Court judges, enforceable by the Attorney General within available appropriations, effective October 1, 2010 (Section 51-237).

Expands statute of limitations provisions (Section 54-193) to include no time limitation for prosecuting perjury committed during proceedings that result in conviction of a person later determined to be actually innocent.

Adds affirmative defense to perjury charges allowing defendants to assert they were coerced into committing the offense under duress (Section 53a-156).

Updates statutory language throughout to replace gender-specific pronouns with gender-neutral terms such as "such person" and "any person" effective October 1, 2010.