Who polices Essex
Essex is policed two ways, and it is the only town in this court where that is the arrangement. The town has its own small department, the Essex Police Department, and Connecticut State Police Troop F provides backing.
That means an arrest in Essex may have been made by either. It is worth checking your paperwork rather than assuming, because the arresting agency is who holds the file and who can tell you whether someone is still being held and what the bond is. Calling the wrong one costs you an hour on a night when you do not have one.
Both are heard at the same court, and neither is treated differently once the case gets there.
Where your case goes
Essex cases are prosecuted at Middletown Superior Court, GA 9, inland from the river town. GA 9 covers the shoreline towns of Middlesex County, which is why the case goes north rather than to anything nearer the water.
Released, whichever agency it was, your date is on the paperwork. Held, court is the next business day.
After the arrest
Whichever agency arrested you, the next steps are the same. You are released on a written promise to appear or after posting a bond, or held for court the next business day, where a judge reviews it. The arrest page covers booking and the bond and bail page covers the bond.
The one thing that does differ is who to call, and it is on your paperwork. Check it before you start phoning.
Do not discuss the case with anyone meanwhile, and assume holding calls are recorded. A family violence arrest goes to court the next business day with a protective order issued at that appearance. The arraignment page and the what to expect page cover what follows.
Common charges in Essex
The Essex docket at GA 9 is small: DUI, drug possession, assault, domestic violence and family violence, and larceny and shoplifting. Whichever agency made the arrest, a first offense often qualifies for a diversionary program that ends in dismissal.