Opinion
File No. 129069
The plaintiff sought a writ of habeas corpus, claiming that his confinement was illegal in that he had not been presented within forty-five days from his first presentment. Since, however, remedies on the criminal side of the court were available to the plaintiff, the defendant's motion to quash was granted.
Memorandum filed November 30, 1971
Memorandum on defendant's motion to quash. Motion granted.
T. Paul Tremont, of Bridgeport, for the plaintiff.
Jerrold H. Barnett, assistant state's attorney, for the defendant.
The plaintiff was detained by reason of a bench warrant issued September 9, 1971, and he is being held in the state correctional institution at New Haven. He was presented on September 15, 1971, in the Superior Court at New Haven and pleaded not guilty.
A writ of habeas corpus was issued on November 16, 1971, in which the plaintiff claims that his confinement is illegal in that he has not been presented within a period of forty-five days from his first presentment as required by Public Acts 1971, No. 513 (General Statutes § 54-53a).
The motion to dismiss or quash will be treated by the court as a motion to quash. The court hereby determines that a motion to quash may be used to attack this writ of habeas corpus for alleged defects appearing on the face of the writ. See 5 Wharton, Criminal Law and Procedure § 2233, p. 471.
This court is of the opinion that the procedure followed by the plaintiff is shrouded in doubt. Questions of constitutional shortcomings should not always be tested by collateral undertakings. The plaintiff has available to him remedies within the very court that has assumed jurisdiction of the case, namely, the criminal side of the Superior Court. If the plaintiff feels aggrieved by the failure of the state to present him, he may file a motion of dismissal or for reduction of bond or choose other remedies available. Rollerson v. United States, 405 F.2d 1078, 1080.