Conn. Gen. Stat. » Title 53a — PENAL CODE · Chapter 952 — Penal Code: Offenses
Connecticut General Statutes

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-165 (2026)

Hindering prosecution defined

✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in sections 53a-165aa, 53a-166 and 53a-167, a person “renders criminal assistance” when, with intent to prevent, hinder or delay the discovery or apprehension of, or the lodging of a criminal charge against, another person whom such person knows or believes has committed a felony or is being sought by law enforcement officials for the commission of a felony, or with intent to assist another person in profiting or benefiting from the commission of a felony, such person: (1) Harbors or conceals such other person; or (2) warns such other person of impending discovery or apprehension; or (3) provides such other person with money, transportation, weapon, disguise or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension; or (4) prevents or obstructs, by means of force, intimidation or deception, any person from performing an act which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such other person or in the lodging of a criminal charge against such other person; or (5) suppresses, by an act of concealment, alteration or destruction, any physical evidence which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such other person or in the lodging of a criminal charge against such other person; or (6) aids such other person to protect or expeditiously profit from an advantage derived from such crime.

(1969, P.A. 828, S. 167; P.A. 02-97, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 02-97 made definition applicable to Sec. 53a-165aa and made technical changes, including changes for purposes of gender neutrality.

Cited. 205 C. 17; 223 C. 595.

Cited. 7 CA 470.

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Secs. 53a-165a to 53a-165z. Reserved for future use.

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1986–2020 · leading case: State v. Smith, 960 A.2d 993 (Conn. 2008).
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State v. Smith, 960 A.2d 993 (Conn. 2008). · cites it 4× “…General Statutes §§ 53a-134 (a) (2) 6 and 53a-48 (a), and hindering prosecution in the first degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-165 (5). 7 On appeal, the defendant contends that *602 the trial court: (1) violated his right to a speedy trial when it improperly…”
Golab v. City of New Britain, 529 A.2d 1297 (Conn. 1987). · cites it 2× “On April 27,1983, he pleaded guilty to the charge of hindering prosecution in the second degree in violation of General Statutes §§ 53a-165 (4) and 53a-167.”
State v. Avila, 613 A.2d 731 (Conn. 1992). · cites it 2× “Under such circumstances, the defendant might be prosecuted for the crime of hindering prosecution pursuant to General Statutes §§ 53a-165 and 53a-166. General Statutes § 53a-3 (11) provides: “A person acts ‘intentionally’ with respect to a result or to conduct described by a…”
Turner v. Comm'r of Corr., 201 Conn. App. 196 (Conn. App. Ct. 2020). · cites it 3× “19 General Statutes § 53a-165 provides that ‘‘a person ‘renders criminal assistance’ when, with intent to prevent, hinder or delay the discovery or apprehension of, or the lodging of a criminal charge against, another person whom such person knows or believes has committed a…”
Smith v. Comm'r of Corr., 85 A.3d 1199 (Conn. App. Ct. 2014). · cites it 2× “…of General Statutes §§ 53a-48 (a) and 53a-134 (a) (2), and hindering prosecution in the first degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-165 (5). In affirming the petitioner’s conviction, our Supreme Court noted the following facts underlying the crimes committed by the…”
State v. Rodriguez, 509 A.2d 72 (Conn. App. Ct. 1986). · cites it 5× “Although our ruling on the defendant’s first claim is dispositive of the appeal, we must comment briefly on the defendant’s third claim, that the trial court erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal.”
State v. Liebowitz, 783 A.2d 1108 (Conn. App. Ct. 2001). · cites it 2× “” Criminal assistance is defined in *801 General Statutes § 53a-165 as follows: “[A] person ‘renders criminal assistance’ when, with intent to prevent, hinder or delay the discovery or apprehension of, or the lodging of a criminal charge against, a person whom he knows or…”
State v. Jimenez, 810 A.2d 848 (Conn. App. Ct. 2002). · cites it 2× “The term hindering prosecution is defined in General Statutes § 53a-165, which provides in relevant part: “As used in sections .”
Commonwealth v. Rivera, 121 N.E.3d 1121 (Mass. 2019). “, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-165 (criminalizing "hindering prosecution" by way of, inter alia, "obstruct[ing], by means of .”
Dorman v. Satti, 678 F. Supp. 375 (D. Conn. 1988). “Section 53a-165 (defining hindering prosecution and other forms of obstruction of justice; no mention of "interference”).”
Zalaski v. City of Hartford (2d Cir. 2013). “1969) (adopting definition of “obstruct” as “to interpose obstacles or impediments, to hinder, impede, or in any manner intrude or prevent” in holding that individual who boarded police wagon and demanded to be taken to station with arrestees could be convicted of obstructing…”
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