Constitution of Connecticut (2025 publisher edition) — Amendment XVII

Publisher edition notice: The publisher identifies this compilation as revised to January 1, 2025. It preserves the annotated original 1965 text and all ratified amendments, alongside the Revisors' unofficial convenience version incorporating extant amendments. The latter does not supersede the original Constitution and amendments; later changes have not been independently verified.

Amendment XVII Ratified amendment and publisher annotations.

ARTICLE XVII.*
*Adopted November 24, 1982.
(Rights of accused in criminal prosecutions. What cases bailable. Speedy trial.
Due process. Excessive bail or fines. Probable cause shown at hearing, when
necessary.)
Section 8 of article first of the Constitution is amended to read as follows:
1
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a right to be heard by himself
and by counsel; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be con-
fronted by the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process to obtain witnesses

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200 AMENDMENTS TO THE Art. XVIII
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
in his behalf; to be released on bail upon sufficient security, except in capital offenses,
where the proof is evident or the presumption great; and in all prosecutions by infor-
mation, to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury. No person shall be compelled to
give evidence against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due
process of law, nor shall excessive bail be required nor excessive fines imposed. No
person shall be held to answer for any crime, punishable by death or life imprison-
ment, unless upon probable cause shown at a hearing in accordance with procedures
prescribed by law, except in the armed forces, or in the militia when in actual service
in time of war or public danger.
1 Amended by Article XXIX., of the Amendments to the Constitution of the State of Connecticut.