Conn. Practice Book § 31a-5 (2026)

Sec. 31a-5. MotionforJudgmentofAcquittal (a) After the close of the juvenile prosecutor’s case-in-chief, upon motion of the child or youth or upon its own motion, the judicial authority shall order the entry of a judgment of acquittal as to any principal offense charged and as to any lesser included offense for which the evidence would not reasonably permit an adjudication. Such judg- ment of acquittal shall not apply to any lesser included offense for which the evidence would reasonably permit a finding of guilty. (b) The judicial authority shall either grant or deny the motion before calling upon the child or youth to present the respondent’s case-in-chief. If the motion is not granted, the respondent may offer evidence without having reserved the right to do so. (Adopted June 24, 2002, to take effect Jan. 1, 2003; amended June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009; amended June 13, 2019, to take effect Jan. 1, 2020; amended June 14, 2024, to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.)