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“YOUR DAY IN COURT” … WHAT TO EXPECT
- Prior to entering the courtroom, please turn off or silence your phone or pager.
- When you get to court, check in with court staff.
- Listen to instructions from court staff and from the judge. The proceedings are
sound recorded, so please remain quiet until it is your time to speak.
- The judge will give an opening statement explaining court procedures, defendants’
rights and penalties.
Cases are usually called in the following order:
requests for postponements
uncontested motions
first arraignments
guilty pleas
contested motions
pleas of not guilty (with attorney)
pleas of not guilty (without attorney)
- A case may be postponed to give you time to obtain representation by a private attorney
or by a public defender (if you qualify) and prepare your defense. If you need a
postponement, ask the court staff for assistance.
- If your case involves a dispute between you and another person, you may be required
to participate in a discussion with a mediator to attempt to settle the dispute
without going in front of the judge.
What is a plea agreement?
A plea agreement is a way to settle a case. Plea agreements are negotiated with
the prosecutor,an attorney who represents the state. You will be given the opportunity
to speak to the prosecutor to try to settle your case. You are not required to speak
to the prosecutor. All plea agreements must be approved by the judge.
Municipal Court Home
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