Connecticut Law: 'Officially Released' Date for In re Noah A. Connecticut Opinion

• The "officially released" date is found near the beginning of a Connecticut court opinion.
• This date indicates when the opinion is published in the Connecticut Law Journal or released as a slip opinion.
• It serves as the operative start date for all time periods to file postopinion motions and petitions for certification.
• All opinions, even after official release, are subject to modification and technical correction.

The “officially released” date holds paramount importance as the definitive trigger for various subsequent legal processes.

The procedural framework governing judicial pronouncements in Connecticut includes a specific designation known as the “officially released” date. This crucial timestamp, typically located near the commencement of a court's written opinion, serves as a foundational element for understanding the lifecycle of judicial decisions within the state. For instance, in the context of an opinion such as In re Noah A., this date would be prominently displayed, signaling its formal entry into the public record and the legal discourse.

This “officially released” date carries dual significance regarding the dissemination of judicial rulings. Primarily, it marks the precise moment when an opinion is slated for publication within the Connecticut Law Journal, the official repository for the state's appellate decisions. Concurrently, this same date indicates when the opinion is made available to the public and legal community as a slip opinion, providing immediate access to the court's findings and reasoning. This dual release mechanism ensures both formal recording and prompt accessibility for all interested parties.

Beyond its role in publication, the “officially released” date holds paramount importance as the definitive trigger for various subsequent legal processes. It functions as the operative starting point for all prescribed time periods related to the filing of postopinion motions. These motions, which can encompass a range of requests for reconsideration or clarification, are strictly governed by deadlines that commence precisely on this designated release date, making its accurate identification indispensable for legal practitioners.

Furthermore, this same “officially released” date dictates the commencement of all time periods allocated for the submission of petitions for certification. Such petitions are critical avenues for parties seeking further review of a court's decision, often by a higher appellate body. The strict adherence to these timeframes, all of which are anchored to the “officially released” date appearing within the opinion, underscores its central role in maintaining procedural order and ensuring fairness in the appellate process.

Despite the formal nature of an opinion's “officially released” status, it is crucial for legal stakeholders to recognize that these judicial pronouncements are not immediately immutable. A fundamental aspect of the Connecticut court system's procedural integrity is the understanding that all opinions, even after their formal release, remain subject to potential revisions. This inherent flexibility acknowledges the complex nature of legal drafting and review.

Specifically, every opinion issued by the courts is explicitly stated to be subject to modification. This provision allows for substantive changes to be made if deemed necessary by the court. In addition, all opinions are also subject to technical correction, addressing any typographical errors, formatting issues, or other non-substantive inaccuracies that may be identified post-release. This ongoing potential for adjustment means that the initial “officially released” version may not represent the final, definitive text of the court's ruling.

Source: Procedural notes from the Connecticut Judicial Branch.