What to Expect at Court
Getting Ready for Court
Coming to court can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. This page will walk you through the process so you feel prepared and informed for your court appearance.
Lone Tree Municipal Court sessions are held at the Lone Tree Civic Center: 8527 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree, CO 80124. Mail is not accepted at this location and staff is not present at this location during times court sessions are not taking place. Should you need assistance or have questions, contact link to address, hours, phone, email, etc.
Coming to court can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. This page will walk you through the process so you feel prepared and informed for your court appearance.
Lone Tree Municipal Court sessions are held at the Lone Tree Justice Center: 12707 High Note Ave, Lone Tree, CO 80134.
Your First Appearance
Your first appearance at court is an arraignment. An arraignment is where you are advised of your rights, the nature of the charge(s) being held against you, and where you enter your plea of guilty or not guilty.
When you arrive at court you will be required to sign in, and then read and sign an Advisement of Rights form. Each defendant will meet with the City Attorney (prosecutor) before seeing the Judge. The City Attorney may offer a plea agreement where the original charge is dismissed if you plead guilty to a lesser charge. The City Attorney is not required to offer a plea agreement.
If you plead guilty, you will be advised by the Judge of the penalties to be assessed. The Judge may assess a fine, order community service, assign attendance at a class, impose a jail sentence, or any combination of these penalties.
If you plead not guilty, a trial will be scheduled to be held at a later date. At trial, it is the City Attorney’s responsibility to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Discovery
You have a right to view the evidence that will be used against you at trial. If you would like a copy of the evidence, fill out and submit the Discovery Request form to the Court at least seven days before your trial. Completed forms can be emailed to court@cityoflonetree.com. In most cases, there is no charge for Discovery.
Fines and Fees at Court
If you were assessed any fines/fees you will be expected to pay your fines/fees at the time you are in Court. Cash, check, money order, electronic check, or credit card (Master Card, Visa and Discover) are accepted for payment.
Sentence Conditions
If sentence conditions are not completed as ordered, you must appear in court on the due date at 9:00 am to request additional time. If you are unable to appear in court, you may submit a motion to the court. The motion must be submitted BEFORE the conditions due date. Additional time may be granted at the Court’s Discretion only.
Your Rights
You have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you wish to speak to your attorney, you may request a continuance from the Judge. If you are unable to afford an attorney, you are found to be indigent by the Court, and if a jail sentence is being sought by the prosecutor, the Court will appoint an attorney to represent you.
If you feel you did not commit the violation of the ordinance with which you have been charged, you may enter a plea of “not guilty” and your case will be set for trial. The burden is on the Prosecutor representing Lone Tree to prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt.
A plea of “guilty” is your admission that you did violate the ordinance as charged. A plea of guilty is the final determination of your case and may result in points being assessed against your driving record in traffic matters and a fine will be assessed.
A plea of “Nolo Contendere” or “No Contest” is up to the discretion of the Judge and may be accepted or refused. It means you are entering neither a plea of “guilty” nor “not guilty”. A “no contest” plea will result in the same penalties as would be assessed upon a “guilty” plea. In traffic matters, for a plea of “no contest” points will be assessed against your driving record.
If you enter a plea of “not guilty”, you have the right to have a trial by either the Court, which is by the Judge, or in some cases by a jury. If your case qualifies and you wish a jury trial, you must file a written demand for a jury trial and a $25.00 jury fee, within 21 days of entering your “not guilty” plea. The fee and written demand must be tendered at the same time. If either requirement is not met, your case will be reset for a trial before the Court.
If you plead “not guilty” you have the right to present witnesses in your behalf and the right to have your witnesses subpoenaed (ordered to appear in court). You must appear at the Lone Tree Municipal Court Administrative Office to request subpoenas; the Clerk will enter the necessary information, sign and imprint the court seal on the subpoenas. You must have someone over the age of 18, who is not a party to the case, personally serve the subpoenas on your witnesses.
You are presumed innocent of the charge that is filed against you. This presumption remains with you until you are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by the city at trial, or enter a guilty plea. You have the right to cross examine witnesses subpoenaed by the city. You have the right to remain silent. If you do not testify, this fact, in itself, will not be considered against you. In the event you do testify, you are subject to cross examination in the same manner as any witness in the trial. If, after trial, you are found guilty, you have the right to appeal. The Lone Tree Municipal Court is a “court of record.” All appeals from this Court are appeals of the record of the case and are reviewed by the District Court for Douglas County.
Community Service
Useful Public Service, or Community Service, is a non-paying job or activity performed for the benefit of the public and its institutions. Find information on community service programs below. Proof of court ordered classes and completed community service logs can be emailed to: court@cityoflonetree.com
Court-Appointed Counsel
Defendants in Lone Tree Municipal Court who cannot afford an attorney may have one appointed for them by the Court in certain cases. Please fill out the Court Appointed Counsel Application and email it to court@citycourt@cityoflonetree.com
Court Ordered Classes
If you are ordered by the Cout to take a Defensive Driving class, the following is a list of providers that offer these classes. It is your responsibility to contact one of these companies within 48 hours to schedule a class. Upon completion of the class you are responsible to provide proof to the court by your due date.
- I.S.A.E Defensive Driving Level 1 or 2 2480 W. 26th Ave. Suite 4B Denver, CO 80211 303-433-1900 www.isaeonline.com
- ALIVE AT 25 Defensive Driving Ages 15-24 years 1- 866-605-3900 www.alive-at-25.org Must Present in Person or Mail – Do Not Fax
- Cima Remote Education Defensive Driving Level 1, 2 or 3 Classes offered at locations across Colorado. 303-455-3553 Cima Remote Education
If you are ordered by the Court to take a Petty Theft class, the following is a list of providers that offer these classes. It is your responsibility to contact one of these companies within 48 hours to schedule a class. Upon completion of the class ,you are responsible to provide proof to the court by your due date.
- I.S.A.E Theft Classes 2480 W. 26th Ave. Suite 4B Denver, CO 80211 303-433-1900 www.isaeonline.com
- Cima Remote Education Theft Classes offered at locations across Colorado. 303-455-3553 Cima Remote Education
If you are ordered by the Court to take an Alcohol Abuse and/or Substance Abuse class, the following is a list of providers that offer these classes. It is your responsibility to contact one of these companies within 48 hours to schedule a class. Upon completion of the class you are responsible to provide proof to the court by your due date.
- I.S.A.E Alcohol, Drug Classes 2480 W. 26th Ave. Suite 4B Denver, CO 80211 303-433-1900 www.isaeonline.com
- Cima Remote Education Substance Abuse Classes offered at locations across Colorado. 303-455-3553 Cima Remote Education
ADVISEMENT FOR DEFENDANTS REGARDING SEALING OF YOUR RECORD
A. LONE TREE MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS: Traffic violations are not eligible for sealing.
B. LONE TREE MUNICIPAL CRIMINAL OFFENSES:
MOTIONS THAT MAY BE MADE IN THE LONE TREE MUNICIPAL COURT:
Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-72-705:
(a) On its own motion, the court shall order the defendant’s criminal justice records sealed when:
(I) A case against a defendant is completely dismissed;
(II) The defendant is acquitted of all counts in the case;
(III) The defendant completes a diversion agreement pursuant to section 18-1.3-101 when a criminal case has been filed; or
(IV) The defendant completes a deferred judgment and sentence pursuant to section 18-1.3-102 and all counts are dismissed.
(a.5) The court shall not require a written motion or any other written pleadings for sealing pursuant to this section. The court shall enter an order sealing records pursuant to this subsection (1) at the time of disposition and shall serve the sealing order pursuant to section 24-72-703(8) no later than twenty-eight days after the date of disposition.
Convictions: Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-72-708, any defendant may file a motion in the criminal case in which any conviction records pertaining to the defendant for a municipal violation are located to seal his or her criminal justice records 3 years after the municipal conviction (or release from supervision, whichever is later) and if the defendant has not been charged or convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or misdemeanor traffic offense in the 3 or more years since. The defendant will be required to submit a verified copy of their criminal history with the petition to seal the record. The criminal history must not be older than 20 days. There are exceptions and limitations to this statute.
Costs: Pursuant to C.R.S 24-72-706(1)(h): defendant who files a motion to seal criminal justice records pursuant to this section shall pay a processing fee of sixty-five ($65) dollars to cover the actual costs related to the sealing of the criminal justice records. Unless waived by the court.