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

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-34 (2025)

Unconditional discharge: Criteria; effect

✓ laws through the 2024 session: the source has not yet published 2025 Public Acts (checked Sept. 2026)
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(a) The court may impose a sentence of unconditional discharge in any case where it is authorized to impose a sentence of conditional discharge under section 53a-29, if the court is of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant's release.

(b) When the court imposes a sentence of unconditional discharge, the defendant shall be released with respect to the conviction for which the sentence is imposed without imprisonment, probation supervision or conditions. A sentence of unconditional discharge is for all purposes a final judgment of conviction.

(1969, P.A. 828, S. 34.)

Cited. 170 C. 128; 180 C. 557; 182 C. 595; 188 C. 557; 222 C. 299.

Cited. 9 CA 686; 12 CA 32; 32 CA 1; 34 CA 1; 36 CA 440.

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1982–2025 · leading case: State v. Bell, 931 A.2d 198 (Conn. 2007).
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State v. Bell, 931 A.2d 198 (Conn. 2007). · cites it 2× “” 35 See General Statutes § 53a-29 (conditional discharge or probation for nonclass A felony); General Statutes § 53a-34 (unconditional discharge); General Statutes § 53a-40a (persistent offenders of crimes involving bigotry or bias); General Statutes § 53a-40d (persistent…”
Gilchrist v. Comm'r of Corr., 182 A.3d 690 (Conn. App. Ct. 2018). · cites it 2× “" General Statutes § 53a-34 (b) provides: "When the court imposes a sentence of unconditional discharge, the defendant shall be released with respect to the conviction for which the sentence is imposed without imprisonment, probation supervision or conditions.”
Commonwealth v. Quiles, 166 A.3d 387 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “” C.G.S. § 53a-34(b) (emphasis added). Therefore, there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Appellant has a conviction for Assault.”
State v. Hanson, 529 A.2d 720 (Conn. App. Ct. 1987). · cites it 2× “General Statutes § 53a-34. The use of the word “release” in the statutory scheme regarding the disposition of persons convicted of crimes, read in light of the dual legislative purposes of psychiatric care and criminal rehabilitation and punishment, should be read to apply to…”
State v. Rivera, 742 A.2d 387 (Conn. App. Ct. 1999). · cites it 2× “” General Statutes § 53a-34 (b) provides in relevant part: “A sentence of unconditional discharge is for all purposes a final judgment of conviction.”
In re Juv. Appeal, 452 A.2d 113 (Conn. 1982). · cites it 2× “Dismissal from accountability to the court, while triggering the two-year period for erasure of records pursuant to Practice Book § 1062, 3 is not inconsistent with the continued existence of a reviewable order, the adjudication of delinquency itself. Furthermore, the…”
Riccio v. Comm'r of Corr., 344 A.3d 1212 (Conn. App. Ct. 2025). · cites it 2× “Although a defendant who is on conditional discharge is not subject to supervision by the Office of Adult Probation, we agree with the reasoning of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in United States v.”
United States v. Joyner, No. 22-1089 (2d Cir. Feb. 27, 2024). “Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-34. Connecticut also describes an unconditional discharge as a “sentence” that may be ordered where a court is otherwise authorized to impose a sentence of conditional discharge.”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-34(b): 1 case
Commonwealth v. Quiles, 166 A.3d 387 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “” C.G.S. § 53a-34(b) (emphasis added). Therefore, there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Appellant has a conviction for Assault.”
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