Connecticut § 51-278a - Qualifications of prosecutorial officials. Full-time duties.
Full text of Connecticut Connecticut General Statutes § 51-278a — Qualifications of prosecutorial officials. Full-time duties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 51-278a. Qualifications of prosecutorial officials. Full-time duties.
Sec. 51-278a. Qualifications of prosecutorial officials. Full-time duties. (a) The Chief State's Attorney, each deputy chief state's attorney and each state's attorney, assistant state's attorney and deputy assistant state's attorney shall, at the time of his or her appointment be an attorney-at-law and the Chief State's Attorney, each deputy chief state's attorney and each state's attorney shall have been admitted to the practice of law for at least three years.
(b) The Chief State's Attorney, each deputy chief state's attorney, and each state's attorney shall devote his or her full time to the duties of his or her office, shall not otherwise engage in the practice of law, shall not be a partner, member or associate of a law firm, and shall not be an elected officer of this state or any political subdivision thereof.
(c) Each assistant state's attorney and deputy assistant state's attorney appointed to serve on a full-time basis shall devote his or her full time to the duties of his or her office, shall not engage in the private practice of law, shall not be a partner, member or associate of a law firm, and shall not be an elected officer of this state. No part-time assistant state's attorney, no part-time deputy assistant state's attorney and no partner or associate of a law firm of which such attorney is a partner or associate may engage in the private practice of criminal law.
(P.A. 82-248, S. 136; P.A. 84-406, S. 5, 13; P.A. 22-111, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 84-406 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision requiring deputy assistant state's attorneys to be attorneys-at-law at time of appointment, effective November 28, 1984, upon certification by secretary of state of vote on constitutional amendment concerning appointment of state's attorneys; P.A. 22-111 made technical changes throughout and added restrictions re elected officers in Subsecs. (b) and (c).
Cited. 234 C. 539.
Source: official Connecticut text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut § 51-278a
What does Connecticut General Statutes § 51-278a cover?
Section 51-278a ("Qualifications of prosecutorial officials. Full-time duties.") is part of the Connecticut General Statutes, the codified statutory law of Connecticut. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Connecticut § 51-278a?
A common citation format is "Connecticut General Statutes § 51-278a" (Connecticut). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Connecticut law?
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How does Connecticut § 51-278a apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Connecticut can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
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