Where to go
New Britain Superior Court, Geographical Area 15, is at 20 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051, downtown near Central Park. It is part of the New Britain Judicial District, and the GA 15 criminal court shares the building with the Judicial District court. The clerk's office number is 860-515-5080. The building is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Everyone passes through security screening. Leave pocket knives, pepper spray, and anything that could be taken as a weapon in your car. Phones are allowed but must be silenced in the courtroom.
Parking
There is no dedicated free lot for the public. Parking is on nearby streets and in downtown public lots and garages, most of it metered or paid, so bring a way to pay and leave extra time to walk. Coming from Bristol or Southington, plan on 25 to 35 minutes by car plus parking. The building is wheelchair accessible.
What happens at arraignment here
Your first court date is called an arraignment. If you were released from the police station on a bond or a promise to appear, the date is printed on the paperwork you were given. If you were held overnight, you will be brought to court the next business day.
Arraignments at GA 15 are on the morning docket. When you arrive, you or your attorney check in with the State's Attorney's office, not the clerk, so the prosecutor knows you are present. Then wait to be called. On a family violence arrest, a Family Relations officer will usually meet with you before the judge takes the bench, and a protective order is typically issued at this first appearance. Read more on the arraignment and protective orders pages.
Bring the paperwork from your arrest, a photo ID, and the name of your attorney if you have one. If you cannot afford a lawyer, go to the public defender's office in the courthouse and apply before your case is called. Leave children at home if you can, and do not discuss your case with anyone in the hallway.
Common charges heard at GA 15 include DUI, domestic violence and family violence, assault, drug possession, and shoplifting and larceny. Shoplifting arrests from the Berlin Turnpike retail corridor and from Southington and Bristol retail areas come to this court.
Which police departments bring cases here
Arrests by the New Britain, Bristol, Southington, Newington, Berlin, Plainville, Plymouth, Rocky Hill, or Wethersfield police departments come to GA 15. A Connecticut State Police arrest on Route 9, Route 72, Interstate 84, or Interstate 91 within these towns also comes here. If your paperwork says Bristol Superior Court, that courthouse has closed and your case is in New Britain. If you were arrested in Hartford or West Hartford, your case is at Hartford Superior Court, GA 14, instead.