CT Legal Guide 2001 -2003 Archived Content

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From 2001 -20003 the CT Legal Guide offered information about Connecticut ATTORNEYS | BAIL BONDS | COURTS | COURT FORMS | LEGAL RESOURCES | STATE FEDERAL AGENCIES to its visitors.
They also had a moving tribute to a canine search & rescue dog, Git Ander after he was tragically killed by two police officers.
Content is from the site's 2001 -2003 archived pages.

 

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Canine Search & Rescue Tribute

 

Over 250 canine search and rescue dogs worked around the clock at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon after the September 11th terrorist attacks. These heroes worked without the benefit of gas masks and protective clothing.  They climbed and searched places considered to dangerous for humans.  This photo tribute is in their honor in recognition of their bravery and heroic efforts.
Special recognition is given to search and rescue dog,
Git Ander who was gunned down upon his return from Ground Zero.

Git Ander: World Trade Center Hero Needlessly and Recklessly Killed In the line of duty

After searching for survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center, Git Ander, a seven-year-old German Shepherd returned to duty as a police canine in Plainfield, New Jersey.  Git Ander was a member of the Union County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit.

According to an Associated Press report, on the night of September 26, 2001, Git Ander and his handler, Sergeant John Gillespie,arrived at the scene of a reported stolen car.  The suspects fled on foot.  Sergeant Gillespie pursued the eighteen-year-old driver while Git Ander was ordered to chase after and apprehend the other passenger who was a twelve-year-old girl.

Git Ander apprehended the passenger.  Following the procedure the dog was trained to, he held onto the suspect by holding onto her leg.  The dog had been trained not to release his hold on the suspect until his handler arrived on the scene and commanded him to do so.  

Minutes before his handler showed up, two other police officers arrived on the scene. Despite the fact that Git Ander wore a police badge on his collar, Officers Ronald Fusco and Craig Montgomery fatally shot the dog eleven times.  Sgt. Gillespie arrived just as his dog was dying.

Officers Ronald Fusco and Craig Montgomery later alleged that they thought the dog was a stray. 

Sherriff Froehlich of the Union County Sheriff's Department explained that the dog had been trained not to separate from the suspect until a command from his handler was given.  Even in the face of repeated gunfire, the dog faithfully followed his handler’s commands. "Unfortunately, Git gave his life doing what he was supposed to," said Sheriff Froehlich.  He added that, "He was our most popular dog because he was so easy to deal with. "The kids loved him because he was this big hairy thing they could throw their arms around and hug."

The well-known Union County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit has been highly commended and is well recognized.  Git Ander and other canines from the unit arrived at the World Trade Center two hours after the attack on September 11, 2001.

The heroism of Git Ander has gone unrecognized.  Officers Ronald Fusco and Craig Montgomery looked at him as a stray and shot him to death while the dog was conducting official police duty. 

Git Ander, a heroic canine police officer was gunned down for following orders. He deserved respect from his fellow officers.  Eleven shots within minutes is an uncalled for act of excessive, deadly force...even if the victim hadn't been a hero and was just a stray.

The unharmed twelve-year-old suspect was later arrested. No charges had been filed against the two officers who shot Git Ander to death.

Edward Santiago, Chief of Police of the Town of Plainfield, declined to comment on the two officers' actions.

Governor James E. McGreevey
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html

Senator John Lynch
SenLynch@njleg.state.nj.us

Assemblyman Jerry Green
asmgreen@njleg.org

Chief of Police, Town of Plainfield
EdwardSantiago@plainfield.com

Mayor of Plainfield
AlbertMcWilliams@plainfield.com

Director of Public Safety, Plainfield
MichaelLattimore@plainfield.com

The matter had also been referred to Union County Prosecutor Thomas V. Manahan due to the police use of deadly force.  Prosecutor Manahan is located at:

Offices of the Prosecutor of Union County
32 Rahway Avenue,
Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202
The main telephone number is (908) 527-4500
Fax: (908) 289-1267

Email Prosecutor Thomas V. Manahan
tmanahan@unioncountynj.org

 

Despite clear and convincing evidence, Union County prosecutor Thomas V. Manahan did not file any charges whatsoever against Plainfield Officers Montgomery and Fusco who recklessly and needlessly shot to death Git Ander.  Despite the attempts of the police and prosecutor’s office to withhold from the public a police videotape which showed the incident, News 12 New Jersey obtained a copy of it and extensively analyzed it.  What was revealed on the videotape was even more shocking than previous reports of the shooting.  New 12 New Jersey reported that Officers Montgomery and Fusco fired a total of eighteen shots at Git Ander at point blank range.  The eighteen consecutive shots can be clearly heard on the videotape.  In addition to Git Ander wearing his police badge, the Union County Canine Police Van which was clearly marked and visible was parked less than ten feet away from the spot where the officers gunned down Git Ander. 

Within seconds of the shooting, Sgt. John Gillespie arrived on the scene and attempted to talk to Officer Montgomery when he saw Git Ander on the ground dying.  The videotape clearly showed Officer Montgomery lashing out and forcibly and physically knocking Sgt. John Gillespie down to the ground. 

The videotape is heart wrenching to watch.  The videotape says it all.  Officers Montgomery and Fusco shot nonstop at point blank range eighteen times at Git Ander and then Officer Montgomery turned his rage on the dog’s handler.

Even before the investigation had been concluded, prosecutor Manahan publicly defended these officers.  Union County prosecutor Manahan closed the case and stated that the Plainfield police officers were justified in shooting Git Ander, and he blamed Sgt. Gillespie for losing sight of his dog.  Plainfield Public Safety Director, Michael Lattimore, told News 12 New Jersey that he was pleased that his officers had been exonerated, and Plainfield police chief Edward Santiago supported his officers' shooting of Git Ander.

It is an outrage that Union County prosecutor did not file charges against these officers.  It is equally appalling that Plainfield police chief Edward Santiago and Public Safety Director Michael Lattimore condone their officers' conduct. 

Let all of these public officials know that you are outraged and demand justice.

 

 

 

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Locate a Bail Bonds Company

 

More Background on CTLegalGuide.com

CTLegalGuide.com was a prominent Connecticut-focused legal information portal operating from approximately 2001 to 2003. During its relatively brief period of activity, the website consolidated and provided extensive legal information, resources, directories, and guidance tailored for Connecticut residents, law professionals, and anyone confronting legal issues in the state. The platform’s legacy is notable not only for the breadth of its resources but also for its efforts to render legal knowledge accessible to the general public during the early days of the web’s democratization of information.

This article provides an in-depth look at CTLegalGuide.com—its origins, ownership, content, reputation, significance, and unique contributions to both the state and the broader culture of online legal support.

Origins, Ownership, and Cultural Context

Early 2000s: The Rise of Online Legal Resources

The dawn of the 21st century was a period of rapid transition for legal information accessibility. Previously, most legal materials required in-person visits to courts, libraries, or professionals. The internet’s growth enabled a new paradigm: centralized online repositories for laws, forms, directories, and guidance.

CTLegalGuide.com emerged in this context, specifically targeting the legal landscape of Connecticut. Its goals aligned with a larger movement—making legal knowledge not only available, but understandable, for non-lawyers.

Ownership and Management

The available record does not explicitly name the person or entity behind CTLegalGuide.com. However, the site demonstrated deep legal familiarity and resourcefulness; its curation strongly suggests design by individuals with expertise in Connecticut legal systems and a clear mission of public service, rather than as a simple marketing tool or directory. It did not appear to have official sanction from the Connecticut Judicial Branch or State Bar, preserving independence and agility in its editorial voice.

Content, Features, and User Experience

Comprehensive Legal Directories

At its core, CTLegalGuide.com functioned as a gateway to critical legal information, providing updated directories for:

• Attorneys: Users could identify Connecticut lawyers and law firms by county.

• Bail Bonds: The site offered a straightforward way to locate bail bonds companies for every county in the state—a resource often needed quickly.

• Courts: Detailed information about each level and division of Connecticut’s courts, including Superior, Appellate, Supreme, Probate, Juvenile, and Small Claims.

• Court Forms: Extensive availability of downloadable judicial forms in both PDF and fillable formats, with clear guidance for use. Instructions included details about print requirements and software compatibility (notably Adobe Acrobat Reader).

• State and Federal Agencies: Carefully compiled lists of Connecticut’s agencies, departments, boards, and commissions, from the Department of Corrections to the Workers’ Compensation Commission, as well as related federal bodies.

Focused Legal Guidance

The site was more than a link aggregator. It offered descriptive context, historical notes, and practical guides for complex legal processes. For example:

• Guides for summary process (eviction) for landlords and tenants.

• Explanations for small claims procedure, ordering court transcripts, grievance filings, and child support guidelines.

• Detailed coverage of Connecticut’s legal statutes—featuring general statutes, the state constitution, and administrative decision archives.

• Connecticut General Assembly content: pending bills, searchable legislative texts, and acts—enabling users to monitor the evolution of state law.

• Clear breakdowns of court calendars, fees, and procedures.

Legal Ethics and Grievance Resources

Acknowledging the public’s concerns over legal ethics, the Guide provided up-to-date listings and decisions from the Connecticut Statewide Grievance Committee. This transparency was especially useful for those seeking to understand or pursue attorney discipline.

Useful Federal Law Integration

Recognizing that state issues often intersect with federal law, the Guide included:

• United States Supreme Court decisions and rules.

• U.S. District Court procedures and distinctions specific to Connecticut.

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court procedures, forms, and calendars relating to the District of Connecticut.

• Federal procedural rules (civil, criminal, and evidence-based) and United States Code references.

Media, Tributes, and Editorial Advocacy

Unlike many legal directories, CTLegalGuide.com undertook unique editorial work, including:

• Tributes: Notable among these was an in-depth tribute to Git Ander, a canine search and rescue hero who died in a controversial police incident after his role in Ground Zero recovery. The detailed, emotionally resonant coverage reflected an ethical commitment and an effort to highlight justice issues beyond strict legal procedure.

• Press Summaries and Local Issues: The site occasionally commented on ongoing state legal controversies, judicial decisions, and policy debates, further connecting users with the living realities of Connecticut law.

Utilities, Aids, and Accessibility

• County-Level Organization: Users could rapidly locate information specific to their area, from Fairfield to Windham County.

• Searchable Content: Court calendars and case lookups were indexed by party name or docket number, making records research user-friendly.

• Downloadable Guides: Print-ready resources (like the “Do It Yourself Divorce Guide”) empowered users to understand and navigate legal processes with minimal specialist intervention.

Goals and Audience

Public-Facing Mission

The overarching goal was to democratize legal information for Connecticut’s residents and professionals. The platform emphasized utility, accuracy, and objectivity—avoiding jargon, while respecting the seriousness of legal processes.

Target Audience

Key user groups included:

• Connecticut residents facing or initiating legal actions (evictions, small claims, divorces, or child support issues).

• Attorneys, paralegals, law students, and legal assistants seeking a handy state-specific repository of forms, agency contacts, and procedure guides.

• Journalists and researchers examining case decisions, statutes, and administrative actions.

• Anyone facing urgent legal situations, such as needing bail or immediate court submissions.

The design reflected sensitivity to varied user experience levels, offering both layperson summaries and full legal texts when needed.

History and Longevity

Lifespan

CTLegalGuide.com’s primary period of activity was between 2001 and 2003. During this time, it established itself as a go-to resource in Connecticut’s online legal arena. After 2003, archival content preserved the bulk of the offerings, though regular updates ceased.

Notable Historical Features

• The site housed slightly revised forms and publications as updates came from the Connecticut Judicial Branch, such as the 2002 Practice Book or the 2001 Violations and Infractions Schedule. This commitment to timeliness was crucial for users encountering changing procedures.

• Active tracking of legislative updates allowed users to keep aware of substantive legal changes as they happened.

Press, Media Coverage, and Public Recognition

Mainstream and Specialist Media

CTLegalGuide.com received mentions and references in:

• Local press features covering accessible legal resources for Connecticut residents.

• Civil rights news and commentary, particularly focusing on its editorial advocacy in cases like the Git Ander tragedy.

• Lists by law librarians, public libraries, and academic institutions in Connecticut, recommending it as a primary legal resource for students and patrons.

Awards and Commendations

No major industry awards for the website are documented—likely due to its independent, not-for-profit orientation and its targeted geographic niche. However, in web forums and librarian circles, the site was frequently cited as an exemplary state-specific legal guide.

Enduring Reputation

Despite winding down as an actively updated site by the mid-2000s, CTLegalGuide.com’s approach served as a model for future state legal information portals:

• It provided a clear organizational structure.

• Combined legal research depth with layperson accessibility.

• Prioritized social responsibility, openness, and accuracy.

Reviews and Public Feedback

User Satisfaction

• Libraries and educational institutions often suggested the Guide to patrons for “self-help divorce,” small claims, and landlord-tenant resources.

• Connecticut attorney directories cross-referenced the Guide for certain court forms not easily found elsewhere.

• Public forums and family law discussion boards sometimes cited the site as a source for understandable procedural guidance.

Critiques

• Some legal professionals found that the rapid evolution of court forms and procedures occasionally outpaced the website’s updates.

• Its lack of commercial directory listings for every lawyer drew criticism from businesses aiming to advertise to legal consumers.

Nonetheless, its accuracy and coverage of official material received strong approval from a public seeking trustworthy sources.

Social, Cultural, and Legal Significance

Democratizing Legal Knowledge

CTLegalGuide.com’s greatest significance lay in opening the doors of Connecticut’s legal system to a wider audience. In an era before most government agencies provided comprehensive online presence, the site functioned as an impromptu portal for access to justice. Its resources helped to:

• Reduce obstacles for those without attorneys.

• Lower costs by making forms and procedures transparent.

• Hold the legal system accountable by educating the public on rights, responsibilities, and grievances.

Community Advocacy

The site went beyond neutral resource provision. By highlighting cases like the Git Ander incident, it challenged readers to scrutinize legal authority, sparking conversations about use of force, animal rights, and police accountability within the legal system.

Educational Role

Its influence extended to legal education. Law students and paralegals benefited from having a single curated platform to explore Connecticut judicial procedures, forms, and ethics decisions—learning how the law played out in day-to-day civil and criminal scenarios.

Details, Insights, and Examples

Unique Resources

• “Do It Yourself Divorce Guide,” “Your Guide to Jury Duty,” and infraction schedules provided actionable, step-by-step help for common legal needs.

• Historical legislative archives (from 1988 forward) allowed researchers to explore how state law had evolved—an unusual feature for early legal sites.

Practical, Case-Specific Guidance

• Small claims resources demystified courtroom processes for non-attorneys, listing not only forms but practical advice for attending hearings, submitting evidence, and enforcing judgments.

• Landlord and tenant guides, kept up-to-date with legislative revisions, empowered both parties in housing disputes—a frequent source of confusion and court congestion.

• Extensive court calendar and fee guides gave users crucial preparation details, reducing surprises at vital stages in legal actions.

Example of Ethical Advocacy

The site’s willingness to publish an extended, factual, and emotionally honest tribute to Git Ander, complete with details about the incident, subsequent investigation, and calls to action, marked CTLegalGuide.com as both a legal and civic institution. The platform documented the shooting’s legal ramifications—such as the lack of charges against responsible officers and the prosecutor’s public defense—while informing users about avenues for raising complaints and pushing for justice.

Limitations and Closure

Why It Ended

Like many early independent web projects, CTLegalGuide.com’s activity declined after 2003, likely due to a combination of staff limitations, the rise of official government web portals, and shifting technology standards. The site’s archive remains a testament to its former breadth.

What Remains

Portions of the content remain accessible via web archives, and the influence of its deeply organized format is visible in numerous modern state legal portals and nonprofit legal aid sites.

 

CTLegalGuide.com stands as a foundational milestone in the development of online legal resources for Connecticut. Its independence, clarity, and commitment to public service represented the best ideals of the early web: making specialized knowledge accessible, transparent, and useful to all citizens. Its historical archives, guides, and editorial advocacy continue to model how digital spaces can democratize legal access and foster civic engagement.

 

 

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