3 Types of Courts in Colorado
Until you are charged with a crime in Denver, you might not realize that there are three different types of courts you have the possibility of going to for your hearing: County Court, District Court, and City Court. The court you will go to will depend on your location and the type of crime you are being charged with. Going through the court process alone can be difficult and daunting, which is why our experienced defense lawyers are well equipped to help our clients navigate hearings and trials- We know every step of the process, such as how you should plan, prepare, what to expect, the do’s and don’ts of court, and our clients can be reassured that they will have their best possible defense put forward. Let’s take a look at the difference between these three types of courts:
Arapahoe County District Court
District Courts, such as Arapahoe County District Court, handle felony cases and misdemeanor pleas. Each of the 22 judicial circuits in Colorado has a district attorney who handles cases, fighting on side of the victim. This makes the DA your direct opponent if you have been charged with a felony offense like sexual assault or theft. They are elected officials, which means their motivation will be to always keep the status quo, and that means convicting the accused, even if they are innocent.
Douglas County Courthouse
Colorado has 64 counties, with County Courts including Douglas County Courthouse and Larimer County Courthouse. County Courts handle “civil cases under $15,000, misdemeanors, traffic infractions, felony complaints (which may be sent to district court), protection orders, and small claims. County court decisions may be appealed to the district court” (Colorado Judicial Branch).
Aurora City Municipal Court
Aurora City Municipal Court is one of more than 215 municipal courts, aka city courts, in Colorado. Misdemeanor cases are handled at city courts, and City Attorneys (rather than District Attorneys) will handle the cases. Examples of the types of cases that would be brought to a municipal court are traffic offenses, municipal ordinance violations, disturbance of the peace, minor in possession of drugs or alcohol, and misdemeanor theft. What may be legal in one city may be illegal in another, as each have their own city ordinances.
Defense Attorney for a Criminal Offense in Jefferson County
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Jefferson, Adams, or Boulder County, it is important to have a criminal defense attorney to represent you in court. Don’t be taken advantage of by a district attorney looking for another win or a misinformed jury. Our lawyers are available 24/7 at 303-731-0719. Call us today to schedule a jail visit or to set up a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.