Court Procedures

Appearances

As an adult, in addition to your rights, you have some legal responsibilities. The law requires you to make an appearance in your case. Your appearance date is noted on your citation, bond, summons, or release papers. You or your attorney may appear in person in open court, by mail, or you may deliver your plea in person to the court.

Please note: Juveniles have a separate set of rules for appearances.

Your Rights

Under our American system of justice, all persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. The state must prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the offense with which you are charged. Every criminal defendant has the right to remain silent and refuse to testify (without consequences). You have the right to retain an attorney and have them try your case or answer your questions. Since offenses in this court are punishable only by fine and not by incarceration, you do not have the right to appointed counsel.

You have the right to a jury trial. You may waive a jury trial and have a trial before the judge, commonly referred to as a bench trial. If you elect to represent yourself, no person other than an attorney can assist you during a trial.

Pleas

Unless you are entitled to a compliance dismissal, you must enter one of these three pleas.