FAQs • Municipal Court

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Municipal Court

1. Q: Where is the court located?: The Wheat Ridge Municipal Court is located at 7500 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. It is located on the southeast corner of West 29th Ave & Wadsworth Blvd within Jefferson County. Map...

2. Q: When is my court date?: It is listed in the bottom, left-hand corner of your summons or it is listed on the 'Appearance Notice' you signed and received at your last court appearance. If you are not able to locate your court date, you may call the Court for assistance at 303-235-2835.

3. Q: What if I cannot make my court date?: If your case qualifies, you may request a one-time continuance on your arraignment. You must call the main court number at 303-235-2835 and speak with a clerk. There is no guarantee you will obtain a continuance.

4. What if I live out of state or more that 75 miles away from Wheat Ridge Municipal Court?: Please refer to the Mail Disposition Procedure. Mail Disposition Procedure

5. Q: I received a summons, now what do I do?: If you have a traffic summons that has an early payment option written on the summons, you may accept this offer by signing the back of the summons and paying the total due before your court date. If your traffic summons does not address an early payment option, or your charge is anything other than traffic, your appearance in court is mandatory.

6. Q: How and where do I pay my fine?: You may pay by phone with Visa or MasterCard by calling 303-235-2835. You may pay in person with cash, check, money order, Visa or MasterCard at the Court Clerk's office during the regular business hours of Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding Holidays). You must bring your copy of the summons to the Court Clerk's office. You may pay by mail with a check or money order to: Wheat Ridge Municipal Court, 7500 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. If you mail payment, it must be received before the court date/due date listed on the front of the summons. Do not mail cash.
If paying by mail, you must: 1) Sign, date, and return the "Defendant" copy to the Court, 2) Acknowledge that you are entering a guilty plea, 3) Accept the points listed on your summons, and 4) Waive the rights listed on the back of your summons.

7. Q: What is an arraignment?: This is the first appearance before the Court. You will receive a written advisal of rights and be advised of the charge(s).

8. Q: What can I plead at an arraignment?: You may either plead guilty or not guilty. If a guilty plea is entered, the Judge will sentence you. If a not guilty plea is entered, you may request an immediate pre-trial conference with the Assistant City Attorney.

9. Q: If I have an attorney, may I speak with the Assistant City Attorney?: No. The Assistant City Attorney cannot speak to represented Defendants without their attorney present.

10. Q: What if I want a court-appointed attorney? ** Link to Form**: You may qualify if you are indigent, pursuant to State guidelines, and if the Assistant City Attorney is seeking jail as a possible sentence. You must meet certain income guidelines, complete an application, pay a fee (unless waived), and provide the necessary documentation.
See application...

11. Q: Who is the Assistant City Attorney assigned to my case?: The Wheat Ridge Assistant City Attorney prosecutes all cases for the City.

12. Q: What is the function of the prosecutor?: The Assistant City Attorney is responsible for prosecuting those individuals who have been charged with any municipal ordinance or traffic violation within the City limits of Wheat Ridge. The Assistant City Attorney represents the people of the City of Wheat Ridge.

13. Q: I have a problem with my landlord/tenant/adoption/child custody whom do I call?: These matters are not handled by Wheat Ridge Municipal Court. For matters within Jefferson County, you may contact the Jefferson County Court, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. Their phone number is 720-772-2500 and their website is More...

14. Q: What if I have questions regarding the law? ** Link to Resource List**: The Assistant City Attorney’s Office, the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office, and the Judge cannot provide legal advice to the public. You may consult an attorney, access legal information at a library, or view additional contacts on the resource list. See resource list...

15. Q: Is there a dress code for Court?: Appropriate attire is required. Dress in modest casual or professional attire (shirt sleeves are required). Clothing which contains offensive language and /or offensive pictures are not permitted. Shoes are required at all times. Hats and sunglasses are not to be worn in the courtroom. If you appear in clothing that is deemed inappropriate, you may be removed from the Court. The use of cell phones and/or any other electronic devices are prohibited in the courtroom.

16. Q: When can I speak to the Judge?: If you wish to speak to the Judge about a case, you may only do so in open court. The Judge is not allowed to speak to you otherwise. You may write a letter to the Judge. The letter will become part of the court file and will be part of the public record. The Judge is not allowed to review some forms of correspondence.

17. Q: How do I get a restraining order against someone?: A citizen cannot obtain a Protection Order in Wheat Ridge Municipal Court. Civil protection orders are available at Jefferson County Court, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. Their phone number is 720-772-2500 and their website is More...

18. Q: I did not appear for my court appearance, what do I need to do?: You may call the main court number at 303-235-2835 to obtain the status of your case.

19. Q: Are there any security measures in Wheat Ridge Municipal Court?: You will be required to enter the courtroom through a security screening system. All parties entering the courtroom are subject to search. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: firearms, drugs, knives, scissors, tools, explosives, gases, mace, pepper spray, handcuffs, martial arts weapons, or other items deemed as a security risk or as dangerous. The Court does not store prohibited items.

20. Q: Is gum, candy, or any other food/drinks allowed in the courtroom?: No. Water is allowed if it has a lid.

21. Q: Are electronic devices allowed in the courtroom?: No. Cell phones, pagers, and/or any other electronic devices must be turned off in the courtroom.

22. Q: What are the maximum penalties assessed by the court?: For criminal convictions per violation, the maximum fine allowed is up to $2,650.00 and the maximum jail sentence is up to 364 days.

23. Q: Where should I park?: There are signs indicating the visitor parking area on the west side of the building. Please avoid parking in the designated “police vehicle only” area.

24. Q: Do I have the right to an appeal?: All appeals are filed in accordance with the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 37. The Wheat Ridge Municipal Court is a court of record, and all appeals from this court are ruled upon by the District Court of the First Judicial District of Jefferson County located at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. Their phone number is 720-772-2500 and their website is More...