Criminal Justice Information System

Sen. Welch: Files should be Accessible in Real Time

Hartford, CT – State Senator Jason Welch (R-Bristol) testified before the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee today on behalf of a constituent’s family. The Bristol family lost their 31 year old father and husband, in June of 2012. Demetrious Lausell-Vann, the father of three and a social worker was the victim of a hit and run.

“Demetrious was a hard working family man, a father of three young children, who was riding his motorcycle home from work when he was struck by an unregistered minivan driven by a repeat drunk driver, habitual motor vehicle offender, and convicted felon,” said Sen. Jason Welch.

The driver, who took off from the scene of the accident, had an extensive list of driving violations including driving under the influence and a suspended license. He also had an extensive criminal record. Yet, authorities never cross referenced the files because state agency computer systems were not able to share information with one another.

“This reckless driver and convicted criminal fell through the cracks. When his extensive driving record on file at the Department of Motor Vehicle is not accessible to the Department of Correction, or the judicial system we are not doing right by our citizens,” said Sen. Welch.

Senator Welch is introducing legislation to keep this lack of information sharing from happening in the future. SB 796 AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM.

If passed this law would require that up to date motor vehicle records, including pending violations be accessible in real time to authorized parties through the criminal justice information system.

“I understand the state is now in the process of unveiling this upgraded criminal justice information system. Sadly, this critical change comes too late for Lorisa Jones and her family. However, it is necessary to follow through and maintain this information sharing if we are to keep our residents safe,” added Sen. Welch. “I know Mrs. Jones wants this effort to continue and I support her in that. She and her family deserve no less.”

In written testimony Lorisa Jones urged the committee members to “close the information loopholes” and described her son’s assailant as “a train wreck waiting to happen.”

Jones summed up her testimony with this, “My son’s life was cut short, and his children will never see their dad again because of the lenient laws in the state of Connecticut.”