Key Terms

Trials
Trials are held on either Wednesday or Thursday afternoons at 1:00 p.m., as assigned. In the CCID Court trials are by judge only (no jury).

Representation
You may be represented by an attorney authorized to practice in this state or you may represent yourself. If you wish to have an attorney represent you, and you cannot afford to hire your own attorney, you must advise the court of this fact at your arraignment. You will then be given information necessary to obtain a court-appointed attorney. Attorneys are appointed by the judge if the charge against you carries mandatory or anticipated jail time, and you meet all other financial criteria. Otherwise, you will be required to hire your own counsel. If you choose to represent yourself, you must conform to all rules of court including rules of evidence. No court may lessen this requirement simply because you are not legally trained.

Your Rights
In a trial you are also entitled to certain rights, including:

The right to a copy of the affidavit
The right to hear all testimony against you
The right to cross examine witnesses against you
The right to testify on your own behalf
The right to decline to testify without any inference drawn against you
The right to call witnesses on your own behalf. Should you need to subpoena witnesses, the clerk will do so if you provide a list of the witnesses and their addresses at least ten days prior to trial.
Should you fail to appear for trial, these rights are waived, and the case may be tried without you. If you are found guilty, a warrant will be issued for your immediate arrest. If a bond was posted, the bondsman will be notified immediately.

If you are unsure of the location of the traffic charge or misdemeanor arrest, review your ticket or bond release information for the proper venue.

Arraignment/Plea.
Your first appearance in the Municipal Court is an arraignment/plea hearing. Once your charges are read, you will only enter a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. No evidence or testimony will be provided during this hearing.

If you plead not guilty, you will be given a trial court date set for a future time. Evidence can be submitted, and testimony can be given at this time.

If you plead guilty or no contest, you will need to waive your right to a trial and your right to an attorney if one is not present with you. Once these rights have been waived, sentencing will commence. If you fail to appear for your trial date, your trial may proceed in your absence, and you may be found guilty or not guilty.