State Sheriffs

File Suit

HARTFORD (AP) –Connecticut’s eight high sheriffs and eight chief deputy sheriffs on Monday sued the state, claiming that a new law has violated their constitutional right to freedom of expression and interfered with their authority.

The law, which was passed in May by the General Assembly, puts the fate of the sheriff system in the hands of voters during a November referendum.

The sheriffs are fighting two provisions of the law. One bans them from associating and communicating with deputy sheriffs and their families to prevent the sheriffs from soliciting contributions to fight the referendum. The other has transferred the power to appoint deputies from the sheriffs to a board of political appointees in the judicial department.

“This lawsuit does not directly attack the referendum initiative,” said George C. Springer Jr., the New Britain lawyer representing the sheriffs. “The law clearly and plainly suppresses freedom of expression.”

The sheriffs did not speak at a news conference at the state Capitol Monday, Springer said, because “if they do so, they run the risk of being arrested.”