Trials are fluid events, so it is impossible to predict every situation that will arise and how a jury or judge will react to unforeseen events. We will take every precaution to ensure a predictable trial, but will always advise you of the possibility of unforeseen events.
If you are found guilty by a jury or judge or enter into a plea bargain with the prosecution, the judge will impose a sentence. The judge determines the length and type of punishment at a sentencing hearing. Witnesses are generally allowed to speak, requesting either a lighter or heavier sentence.
The defendant may make a statement to the court. In some situations, the court may ask for a report from the probation department prior to sentencing the defendant. It is also important to remember that you will be responsible for court costs and any fines. Failure to pay by the given date will result in the issuing of a warrant for your arrest and a warrant block on your license. It is important to recognize that the appeals process may only begin after the defendant has received the final verdict and sentence.
Once the trial has been completed, the facts have been decided. They cannot be changed by an appellate court. Payments can also be made by calling If you are represented by Court-appointed Defense Counsel, contact your attorney regarding the status of your case.
If you have a motion, filing, court request, proof of completion of a class or community service hours, the Court strongly encourages you to email it see above , fax it to the court at or mail it to the court:.
Fort Collins Municipal Court. Fort Collins, CO If you have been assigned to complete an education class, online classes through Court approved vendors are authorized for defendants to take until further notice.
Please email your proof of compliance and required essay to court fcgov. If you have a payment due early settlement, payment plan, day notice to pay, etc. All fines and fees assessed on cases are due immediately.
If you need more time to pay, you will need appearance in person and complete a payment plan application. If you have an active warrant that you are trying to address, you are required to appear in-person prior to AM on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning to be added to the docket.
Individuals appearing after AM will be told to come back on another date before AM. The Fort Collins Municipal Court is responsible for administering the operation of the judicial branch of City government according to the ordinance adopted by City Council. Cases adjudicated in Municipal Court include traffic violations, misdemeanors, petty offenses, and civil infractions. The building opens for business at AM. Access to the building prior to its opening is not allowed. Parking in the downtown area is very limited with some spaces only useable for short periods of time.
For your information, parking in the structure must be paid for when you park your vehicle, not when your vehicle leaves the structure. Court hearings in general last at least 2 hours and often last up to 4 hours depending on the number of cases scheduled.
Please consider this when parking your vehicle. Please use the north entrance to the building. These citations are issued by Fort Collins Police Services and mailed directly to individuals.
At the arraignment, the judge will read the charge that has been filed against you the defendant by the prosecuting attorney for the municipality.
You must then plead guilty or not guilty. By law, those are the only pleas that a court may accept. If you plead guilty, you are telling the court that you have committed the act with which you were charged and have violated a valid city ordinance. The judge must then decide what penalty you will receive. At this time, you should have an opportunity to communicate any special circumstances that you feel a judge should consider.
The judge will then assess a penalty in accordance with the law, taking into account the seriousness of the offense and any explanation that you have given. If you plead guilty, the judge will find you guilty. Any explanation that you offer later affects the penalty assessed.
By pleading guilty, you waive the right to a trial. A plea of not guilty means that you believe you have not violated the law in the manner and form charged on the ticket. When you plead not guilty, the judge will set a date for a trial. At the trial, the municipal prosecutor presents evidence against you, and you will have a chance to tell your side of the story. You do not need to be represented by an attorney in order to plead not guilty.
You may represent yourself at the trial. If you are found guilty, you will be sentenced and given a fine amount and court costs to pay by a date specific.
If you are found not guilty, your case will be dismissed or terminated. If your case is dismissed, it can either be dismissed with or without payment of court costs. Your case may also be continued, in which case you will receive another court date either in person, by mail, or by text message if you sign up. Every situation is different. For more information, please call our Expungement Department at You must submit an application for Sealing of Record. There is no fee for their services.
There is no filing fee for dismissals or findings of not guilty. You do not need an attorney, however, we highly recommend that you have some legal assistance at a minimum. There are two ways to obtain copies of a sealed record.
The record must belong to you, it cannot belong to someone else. The most efficient way to find your ticket on our website www. It typically takes three to five business days for your ticket to be entered, but it can take longer especially following a holiday.
Payable tickets can be paid one of three ways: go to www. We accept payments seven days a week from a. To avoid late fees, be certain to pay by the court date listed at bottom of your ticket. It usually takes three to five business days for your ticket to appear on this website, but it could take longer. It usually takes three to five business days for your ticket to appear on the website, but it could take longer.
It usually takes three to five business days for your ticket to appear on the website but it could take longer. Bond payments must be made with cash or credit card only and current identification is required.
If you have a ticket to pay and you still need to provide Proof of Insurance, you may do one of the following: go to www. It usually takes three to five business days for your ticket to appear on the website. Assigned cases and certain other cases do not qualify for add-ons, so, please call our office at for more information.
If you just received a ticket, the Court date is located at the bottom of your ticket. For other situations, try searching for your case using only the case number, ticket number, or call our office at For cases that do not require you to appear in Court, the Court date is your due date. Should you need more time, please consider appearing in Court on your due date to ask for more time to pay. Please visit our website at www. You may also call our office at We can only confirm warrants that we have entered, so if you have a warrant through another court, this office may not be able to access the information.
As long as no appearance is required, you may pay the ticket and the case will be closed. Note: If you pay a ticket, you have essentially entered a guilty plea and waived your right to contest the ticket in Court.
Our address is South High St. We are open to the public 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
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