Call now

Colorado Springs County Court

divider
2022 Winner - Best of the Springs
Lawyer of the Year - American Institute of Legal Professionals
Colorado Bar Association
Top 40 The National Trial Lawyers
Top 100 The National Trial Lawyers
AVVO 10.0 Superb Top Attorney Criminal Defense
Google Reviews

Colorado Springs County Court

divider

If you are charged with a misdemeanor, receive a traffic ticket, or are involved in a lawsuit, you may have to appear at the Colorado Springs County Court.

Colorado Springs County Court Important Information 

divider

The Colorado Springs county court is located at:

El Paso County Judicial Building

270 S Tejon St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

You can contact the court via telephone or email:

  • Telephone: 719-452-5000
  • Email: 04SelfHelp@judicial.state.co.us

The Clerk’s Office, located in room S101, is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

The First Appearance Center can be contacted at 719-452-5500 or via email at 04FAC@judicial.state.co.us.

Metered street parking is available, or you can park at the Colorado Springs Parking Garage on S. Nevada St. Located here.

Top-Rated Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

divider

When Would I Need To Go To Colorado Springs County Court?

divider

Colorado Springs county court is a county court, which means that it handles:

  • Misdemeanors
  • Civil cases under $25,000
  • Felony complaints
  • Traffic infractions
  • Small claims
  • Protection orders
  • Divorce cases
  • Custody cases

You may be required to appear at this court if you have a traffic ticket, are charged with a misdemeanor, or are being sued in small claims court.

Don’t let one wrong decision impact your life, job or freedom.

Call today for a free case evaluation.

How Can An Attorney Help Me In Colorado Springs County Court?

divider

A criminal defense lawyer serves as your advocate, advisor, and representative in court. Attorneys can:

  • Present evidence in court
  • Argue in favor of their clients
  • Counsel clients regarding their legal rights and obligations
  • Help clients find the best course of action to take in their cases
  • Negotiate lesser charges

Whether you’re headed to trial, fighting a traffic ticket, or appearing in court for your arraignment, your attorney can help you navigate Colorado’s complicated judicial system.

An attorney will help you understand what you’re up against and what you’re facing in the days or weeks to come. For example, if there’s a hearing, your attorney can help you understand what the hearing is about, what to expect, and what to say/do during the hearing.

Along with helping you understand what to do, an attorney can also help you understand what not to do.

If you don’t hire a lawyer, you’re taking a major risk heading into the courtroom. Arrests, tickets, and lawsuits are all serious, and you may be facing misdemeanor or felony charges. The risk of not hiring a lawyer is extensive and may include:

  • Large fees or penalties
  • Maximum penalties, jail time, and charges
  • Lack of fully understanding court procedures
  • Lack of ability to fully present your case to the prosecutor
  • Lack of understanding of the judge and prosecutor’s preferences and history of handling cases

Depending on the charges you’re facing, you may have a higher risk of losing your license, losing court cases, or having protection orders issued against you. A lawyer understands the law, understands the judges and the prosecutors, knows if there are certain tactics that would help or harm you in certain divisions, knows what the accusations or charges against you are and how to best handle them within the confines of the law.

If you opt not to work with an attorney, you’re risking losing the experience and expertise of a legal professional to help with everything from mediation and agreements to speaking to a judge.

Colorado criminal procedure

divider
  • Arrest or
    Summons
    01

    Arrest or
    Summons

    The process begins with either an arrest or a summons. The accused is either arrested or served with paperwork summoning them to appear in court. During an arrest, Miranda rights may or may not be read to you. Officers are only required to recite your rights if they intend to question you about potentially incriminating things.

  • Bond Hearing
    02

    Bond Hearing

    In most cases, you're entitled to have a reasonable bond set after you've been arrested. In situations involving domestic violence, the police will request input from the victim before setting a bond. Bonds are set to ensure that a person appears in court at their court dates. If they don’t show up, they forfeit the money that was paid for the bond.

  • Advisement of
    Charges
    03

    Advisement of
    Charges

    Whether you are arrested or given a summons to appear, the court must make sure you understand what crimes you are being accused of committing. This is called advisement of charges. The District Attorney will detail the specific charges against you, and the Judge has to make sure you understand what possible penalties are associated with that charge in the state.

  • Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)
    04

    Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)

    A preliminary hearing is a way for your defense attorney to challenge the District Attorney’s right to bring charges against you by making them prove that there is reason to believe you committed a crime. The Judge is not deciding your guilt or innocence, but rather whether or not there is probable cause to charge you with the crime in question.

  • Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing
    05

    Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing

    This court date comes after your attorney has reviewed all of the reports and evidence in your case. Here’s where your attorney will engage in plea negotiations with the DA. If they can reach an agreement on the case, you may be able to take a plea bargain. If they cannot reach a resolution, your case will be set for an arraignment or trial date.

  • Arraignment
    06

    Arraignment

    An arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you choose to plea. Guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, you and your attorney will then set the case for trial.

  • Motions Hearing
    07

    Motions Hearing

    A motion hearing is when an attorney makes a request that requires a decision from the judge. For example, motions to suppress evidence or statements. These motions can limit the information that goes before a jury if it benefits your case, and there are legal grounds for doing so.

  • Pretrial Readiness
    Conference
    08

    Pretrial Readiness
    Conference

    A pretrial readiness conference is held at some point before trial. It usually is held about a week to a month before the date trial is set to begin. This court date ensures everyone is ready to go to trial on the set date. It is also a time for lawyers to bring up any issues they may have to be addressed before the day of trial.

  • Jury Trial
    09

    Jury Trial

    After a jury is selected for trial, the District Attorney’s responsibility is to present the case to the jury. The DA must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime. Otherwise, the jury must find you innocent. Your attorney will be able to cross-examine all of the witnesses, present evidence, and ultimately help you navigate this process.

  • Sentencing
    Date
    10

    Sentencing
    Date

    At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you plead guilty. The Judge’s decision is based on the listed penalties for the specific charge, recommendations from the presentence investigation, your criminal history, as well as statements made at the sentencing by the District Attorney, your attorney, you, and any named victims of the crime.

What is the sentence for misdemeanors in Colorado?

  • Class 1

  • 6 to 18 months in county jail, and/or
  • $500 to $5,000 in fines
  • For extraordinary risk class 1 misdemeanors, the maximum jail sentence is 24 months.
  • For 3rd-degree assault (CRS 18-3-204), the maximum sentence can be 48 months if the victim was on duty as a:
    • Peace officer,
    • Emergency medical provider,
    • Firefighter, or
    • Mental health professional at the Department of Human Services.
  • Class 2

  • 3 to 12 months in county jail, and/or
  • $250 to $1,000 in fines

What are Colorado felony penalties?

  • Class 1

  • Life imprisonment
  • No Colorado crime carries the death penalty.
  • Class 2

  • 8 – 24 years in Colorado State Prison, and/or
  • $5,000 – $1,000,000
  • 5 years of mandatory parole if the offense is a crime of violence. Otherwise, 3 years of mandatory parole.
  • Class 3

  • 4-12 years in prison
  • Fines of up to $750,000 but not less than $3,000
  • 3 years of parole
  • Class 4

  • 2 – 6 years in prison, and/or
  • $2,000 – $500,000
  • 3 years of mandatory parole
  • For extraordinary risk class 4 felonies, the maximum sentence is 8 years in prison.
  • Class 5

  • 1 – 3 years in prison, and/or
  • $1,000 – $100,000
  • 2 years of mandatory parole
  • For extraordinary risk class 5 felonies, the maximum sentence is 4 years in prison.
  • Class 6

  • 1 – 18 months years in prison, and/or
  • $1,000 – $100,000
  • 1 year of mandatory parole
  • For extraordinary risk class 6 felonies, the maximum sentence is 2 years in prison.

CALL NOW IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED

719-822-6227

Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Attorney

divider

At Right Law Group, we understand the stress you are under. Our Criminal Defense Law Firm is here to guide you down the right path to your legal challenge. Whether you are facing your first DUI, a drug charge, need a restraining order, or are facing another type of criminal charge, our firm is committed to your well-being and protecting your rights the right way.

What Will Happen at County Court?

What happens at court will depend on the purpose of your appearance. Your attorney can help you understand what to expect while at the Colorado Springs county court. If you are unsure of where to go, you can speak with the civil clerk at the Clerk’s Office.

A few basic things to know:

  • Your courtroom. It’s helpful to know which courtroom will hear your case before you arrive at court.
  • If you need an interpreter, let your attorney or the clerk know.
  • You may need to wait several hours for your case to be called.

Cases are handled one by one, and judges may handle cases in different orders. For example, they may start with the cases that are expected to take the least amount of time, or they may call cases where there is an attorney present first.

It’s important to dress appropriately for court and to treat everyone in the courtroom with respect. When your name is called, make sure that you are loud and clear when telling the judge that you are present.

Trials

If you’re going to trial before a judge or jury, you can expect to go through the following stages:

Opening Statements

At the start of the trial, parties may give their opening statements to tell the judge or jury about the case they will be hearing. Opening statements are not required but are typically given in more serious trials.

Prosecution’s or Plaintiff’s Case

Because the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff or prosecution, they are the first party to present evidence in a trial. That evidence may include witness testimony, videos, photographs, documents and recordings.

The other party will have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses after they testify.

Defendant’s Case

When the prosecution has finished making its case, the defendant will then present evidence and call witnesses.

The plaintiff or prosecution will also have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.

Rebuttal

Once the defendant finishes making its case, the prosecution or plaintiff may respond by presenting evidence or calling witnesses to address the evidence presented in the defendant’s case.

Again, the defense will have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.

Closing Arguments

Both parties may present closing arguments that summarize the case for the jury or judge. This is each party’s opportunity to make an argument as to why their side should win. Like opening statements, closing arguments are not required.

No new evidence or information can be presented during the closing argument that wasn’t presented in the trial.

How Do I Find My Court Date in Colorado Springs?

If you are unsure of your court date in Colorado Springs, you can use the El Paso County Docket search to find out. You can also ask the clerk about your court date.

  • If you were issued a traffic ticket, the court date should be included on the ticket.
  • If you were handed a summons, it should list the date and time to appear in court.
  • If you were arrested, your bond paperwork will list the next court date and time

How Do I Look Up A Colorado Court Case?

To find information about a court case in Colorado, you can use the Court Docket Search on the Colorado Judicial Branch website.

You can also find El Paso County Cases of Interest listed on the county court’s website.

If you have any questions that are unanswered, you can ask your lawyer directly or call the courthouse for clarification.

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Finding A Lawyer For Colorado Springs County Court

divider

When you’re facing an appearance at Colorado Springs County Court, you need a lawyer who is familiar with the laws and knows how the court system works. Criminal defense attorneys work with you to help you establish a strong defense. Even if you believe that a conviction is inevitable, a Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer can help you fight for a lesser charge, a reduced sentence, or another more favorable outcome. Contact us right away for a free case consultation.