Colorado Springs Criminal Defense for Clients at the Colorado Springs Municipal Court Lawyer
It can be intimidating to appear in court before a judge. However, it's important to remain calm and stay positive about your case. Located at 224 E. Kiowa Street in Colorado Springs, CO 80903, the Municipal Court handles traffic violations and criminal violations that fall under city charter provisions and city ordinances.
Defense lawyer Timothy Bussey has handled numerous cases at the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Court, lending his clients unique insight and persistent pursuit of justice. In his many years of experience, Mr. Bussey has developed a meticulous understanding of how the justice system operates and what laws protect the citizens of his state and country. From false arrests to law enforcement mistakes, identifying the prosecution's weaknesses and how to present these faults is a part of what builds an effective defense. For more information about how to protect your future, call (719) 475-2555 for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways
- What the court hears: Colorado law requires each city to create a municipal court to hear and try all alleged violations of that city's ordinances (C.R.S. 13-10-104).
- Jury demand deadline: where a jury trial is available, it is waived unless you request it in writing within 21 days after entering a plea and tender a $25 fee, which the judge may waive for indigence (C.R.S. 13-10-114(4)).
- Jury size: a municipal jury has three jurors unless, in a petty offense trial, the defendant requests more, up to six (C.R.S. 13-10-114(1)).
- Sentencing ceiling: a municipal court of record may impose up to 364 days of incarceration, a fine up to $2,650 as adjusted for inflation each year, or both, and may not exceed the limits the city sets by ordinance (C.R.S. 13-10-113).
Know Your Rights
When someone enters a "not guilty" plea, they are exercising their constitutional rights and challenging the government to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they did, in fact, commit a crime. With the burden of proof on the prosecutor, a person charged with a crime is believed to be given a fair trial. However, this doesn't mean that you can't be as prepared as possible. With the right defense strategies in place, you can ensure that your rights will be protected and that you'll be prepared for the unexpected.
If you have your appearance at the Colorado Springs Municipal Court for a minor offense and enter a "not guilty" plea, your case will be assigned a date for trial at a later time. If an agreement is not found, the case will go to trial in which, if there are witnesses, they will appear per the schedule.
If you have a non-minor offense and enter a "not guilty" plea, you will be given an immediate pre-trial conference to address the City Attorney at your arraignment. If an agreement is not reached, the case will go to trial and witnesses, if there are any, may be scheduled to appear.
Be Prepared
After being charged with a criminal violation, there is a lot to keep track of in terms of the laws you must follow and the steps you need to take to ensure that your rights are defended. It is very important not to discuss your case with anyone but your attorney. Once you've been charged, anything and everything that you do, including your Internet activity, could potentially be used against you during trial at the Municipal Court.
With a skilled lawyer on your side, you can be sure that the proper measures will be taken to keep up to speed on the requirements and development of your case. In evaluating the specifics of your situation, your attorney can help you determine the most effective course of action to successfully resolve your case. It is helpful to discuss a plea, probation, specialized programs, and expungement, just to name a few, with your lawyer.
Your Defense is Our Priority
The outcome of a criminal case has the power to change a person's life forever. This is something that Timothy Bussey takes to heart. If you or someone close to you is facing criminal charges, The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. will work aggressively and diligently to build a solid defense for you. Please contact us today for more information.
Our Colorado Springs Office
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 475-2555
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Rated 5.0 from 208 Google reviews — see the firm on Google Business Profile.
How do you get a jury trial in Colorado Springs Municipal Court?
Where the constitution or state law entitles you to a jury trial, you must request it in writing within 21 days after entering your plea and tender a $25 jury fee, unless the judge waives the fee because you are indigent. Without that written request, the jury right is waived (C.R.S. 13-10-114(4)).
The jury in municipal court is small: three jurors, unless in a petty offense trial the defendant requests a greater number, not more than six (C.R.S. 13-10-114(1)). The fee is refunded if the case is dismissed, if you are acquitted, or if you file a written jury waiver at least seven days before the scheduled trial date (C.R.S. 13-10-114(4)).
At arraignment for a petty offense, the judge must advise a defendant who has no lawyer of the right to a jury trial and of the written-request deadline (C.R.S. 13-10-114(5)). Because a not-guilty plea starts the 21-day period, the plea and the jury request are decisions to make together with a Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer — see what to look for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer.
What is the maximum sentence for a Colorado Springs municipal ordinance violation?
State law caps municipal sentences. A person convicted in a municipal court of record may be incarcerated for up to 364 days, fined up to $2,650 (a limit adjusted for inflation every January 1 since 2014), or both; a court not of record is limited to 90 days and $300 (C.R.S. 13-10-113).
These are ceilings, not typical sentences, and the municipal judge may not exceed the sentence or fine limits the city has set by ordinance (C.R.S. 13-10-113(2)). Court costs are separate: the judge may assess costs set by ordinance against a defendant who pleads guilty or nolo contendere, enters a plea agreement, or is found guilty after trial (C.R.S. 13-10-113(3)). For charges filed under state law rather than a city ordinance, see Colorado Springs misdemeanor defense.
A municipal judge may suspend a sentence or fine and place the defendant on probation for up to one year (C.R.S. 13-10-113(2)); breaking those conditions is handled like any other probation violation. For children, a juvenile arrested for or convicted of a municipal ordinance violation must not be held in an adult jail, and confinement for contempt of municipal court may not exceed 48 hours (C.R.S. 13-10-113(4), (5)) — see juvenile crime defense in Colorado Springs.
| Limit | What the statute provides |
|---|---|
| Court of record — incarceration | Up to 364 days |
| Court of record — fine | Up to $2,650, adjusted for inflation on January 1, 2014 and each January 1 after |
| Court not of record | Up to 90 days, a fine up to $300, or both |
| Ordinance limits | The judge may not exceed the sentence or fine limits established by ordinance |
| Probation | The judge may suspend a sentence or fine and order probation for up to one year |
| Juveniles | Not confined with adults; contempt confinement capped at 48 hours |