When plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt in absentia, or forfeiture in criminal prosecution or traffic case admissible in civil action; proof of such plea, finding, or forfeiture

Whenever, in any civil action, it is contended that any party thereto pled guilty or nolo contendere, was found guilty in absentia, or suffered a forfeiture in a prosecution for a criminal offense or traffic infraction which arose out of the same occurrence upon which the civil action is based, evidence of said plea, finding, or forfeiture as shown by the records of the criminal court shall be admissible. Where the records of the court in which such prosecution was had are silent or ambiguous as to whether or not such plea or finding was made or forfeiture occurred, the court hearing the civil case shall admit such evidence on the question of such plea, finding, or forfeiture as may be relevant, and the question of whether such plea or finding was made or forfeiture suffered shall be a question for the court to determine.

Code 1950, § 8-267.1; 1970, c. 354; 1977, c. 617; 1986, c. 46; 2023, c. 278 .