Where to go
Middletown Superior Court, Geographical Area 9, is at 1 Court Street in Middletown, CT 06457. It serves the Middlesex Judicial District, and the Geographical Area court and the Judicial District share the building, so read the daily docket when you arrive rather than assuming which courtroom is yours. The clerk's office number is 860-343-6480. The building is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
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
A public parking garage on Court Street serves the courthouse, and the first garage entrance is public parking. On busy days it may fill by 9:00 a.m., so leave extra time. If the garage is full, expect to look for street parking several blocks out and add ten minutes to the walk.
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 9 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 9 include DUI, domestic violence and family violence, assault, drug possession, and shoplifting and larceny.
Which police departments bring cases here
Middletown, Cromwell, Clinton, East Hampton, Portland, and Old Saybrook have their own police departments, and arrests by any of them come to GA 9. The smaller river valley towns are covered by Connecticut State Police, and a state trooper arrest in any town on this list comes here too. Route 9 runs the length of the county, and state police stops along it in these towns are heard at GA 9 rather than at whichever court is nearest the exit ramp.
If your case is not in Middlesex County, it is heard somewhere else. Cases from the towns east of the river go to GA 21 Norwich or GA 10 New London, Windham County cases go to GA 11 Danielson, and Hartford and Tolland County cases go to GA 12 Manchester, GA 14 Hartford, GA 15 New Britain, or GA 19 Rockville.