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Section 54-36g – Destruction of controlled drugs, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia held as evidence in criminal proceedings. Petition, notice and hearing. Representative samples. Certificate of results. Destruction upon final disposition of criminal action. Records

May 11, 2021 | Connecticut, Criminal Procedure

(a) At any time after the seizure of a controlled drug or a controlled substance, as defined in subdivision (8) or (9) of section 21a-240, or drug paraphernalia, as defined in subdivision (20) of section 21a-240, in connection with a criminal arrest or pursuant to a search warrant without an arrest, the prosecuting official of the court for the geographical area in which the criminal offense is alleged to have been committed may petition the court for destruction of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. After notice, by certified or registered mail to the defendant and his attorney, and hearing on the petition, the court may order the forfeiture and destruction of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia, under procedures and to the extent determined by the court, or order it delivered to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection as soon as possible. Such order shall be in writing and shall provide for the analysis of representative samples of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. The results of such analysis shall be recorded on a certificate signed by the person making the analysis, witnessed and acknowledged pursuant to section 1-29. Such certificate shall be prima facie evidence of the composition and quality of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia.
(b) Upon final disposition of the criminal action or, if there is no criminal action, at any time upon motion of the prosecuting official, the court shall order the destruction of any controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia not previously destroyed pursuant to an order under subsection (a) of this section, or order it delivered to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection as soon as possible.
(c) The law enforcement agency seizing the controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia shall keep a full and complete record of the time and place where such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia was seized, the kinds, quantities and weight of drugs received, by whom the controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia were delivered and received and the date and manner of destruction or disposition of such controlled drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. Such record and the certificate of the results of the analysis shall be disclosed only to attorneys of record in the case, the defendant and to federal and state officers charged with enforcement of federal and state narcotic laws.

Conn. Gen. Stat. ยง 54-36g

(P.A. 84-44, S. 1; P.A. 85-263, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146 (c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

Subsec. (a): Requirement that certificate be prima facie evidence of composition and quality of controlled drug or substance would be meaningless unless legislature had contemplated that destruction of drugs might take place before defendant’s trial and inserted it to ensure that said destruction would not provide defendant with simple way to avoid prosecution. 63 CA 138.