Arraignment Information

Arraignment sessions at Cañon City Municipal Court are held on Tuesdays at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, or 10:30 am except on federal, state, and local holidays. The issuing officer will have given you this date on your ticket. At this first appearance, the court will advise you of your rights and accept a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. You may also ask the judge for a continuance in order to consider the options or to consult an attorney.

Penalty Assessments

After a Penalty Assessment (ticket) is issued, you may pay the fine and surcharge up until the arraignment court date. To take advantage of the 2-point reduction for early payment, the payment must be paid or postmarked by the 20th calendar day after the issuance. If it is not paid, then you must appear in court for arraignment.

Payment of Fine Without a Court Appearance

By paying the fine instead of appearing in court, one gives up all the legal rights to which they are entitled. Payment is a plea of guilty to the offense(s) charged. Penalty points may be assessed against one's driving record by Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV). If one does not wish to plead guilty, they should not pay the fine - their court appearance is necessary.

Summons & Complaints

Summons and Complaints require an appearance by the defendant at an arraignment session. Examples of tickets requiring a court appearance are:

  • Alcohol Violations
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Dog Violations
  • No Insurance
  • Shoplifting

Pleading Guilty or No Contest

If a plea of guilty or no contest is entered, there will not be a trial and the court will proceed to sentencing. Certain violations may entitle you to ask for a Deferred Sentence.

Pleading Not Guilty

If a plea of not guilty is tendered, the court will then set at a later date for a combined pre-trial conference and trial to the court for most traffic offenses. You are entitled to a trial by jury for certain violations. A trial to jury may be a jury of a minimum of 3 jurors or a maximum of 6 jurors. If defendants desire a trial by jury, they must make the request in writing, within 21 days of the arraignment date and include a jury fee of $25. Trials must be set within 90 days unless speedy trial is waived.