Appearances

In addition to your rights, you also have some legal responsibilities. The law requires you to make an appearance on 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. (Juveniles have a separate set of rules for their appearance. Please read the juvenile pamphlet).

• Your first appearance is to determine your plea.
• If you waive a jury trial and plead guilty or no contest you may present extenuating circumstances for the judge to consider when setting your fine.
• If you plead not guilty, the court will schedule a jury trial.
• You may waive a jury trial and be set for trial before the court.

Plea by Mail

When you make your appearance by mail, the court must receive your plea before your scheduled appearance date. If you plead not guilty, the court will notify you of the date of your trial.

• If you plead guilty or no contest, you waive your right to a jury trial.
• You may request the amount of fine and appeal bond in writing and mail or deliver it to the court before your appearance date.
• You then have up to 31 days from the time you received a certified notice from the court to pay the fine or file an appeal bond with the municipal court.