Appearing In Court:

Court is held on Wednesdays with alternating sessions at 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

If appearing in Court, you will need to check in with the Bailiff in the Courtroom.  Initial appearances and pretrial conferences are seen on a first-come first-served basis.  Motion hearings and trials will follow the initial appearances.

If you enter a plea of guilty or no contest before the Judge, you will then have the opportunity to discuss your case with the Judge. The Judge will then impose the appropriate sentence and forfeiture.  At this time, you may also request an extension of time to pay if needed.

If you enter a plea of not guilty before the Judge on your Court date, the matter will be scheduled for a pretrial conference with the City Prosecutor. However, if time allows, you may be seen by the City Prosecutor during that same Court session. 

Different Pleas:

There are three options in which to plea:

• Guilty: Admitting guilt to the violation

• No Contest: A statement indicating you do not wish to contest the charge.  The Judge must find you guilty upon a no contest plea, but the plea cannot be used as evidence against you in a civil suit for damages

• Not Guilty: Indicates you would like to contest the citation.  if a not guilty plea is entered, the matter will be scheduled for a pretrial conference with the City Prosector

Do you have to appear in court?

If your citation indicates "MUST APPEAR", you must appear in person on the indicated Court date to enter your plea, unless a not guilty plea has been entered in writing prior to your court date.

If your citation does NOT indicate "Must Appear", you have the following options:

• If you do not wish to contest the matter, you may pay your forfeiture.  Please enclose a copy of your citation.  The Court will enter a plea of no contest with a finding of guilty - no appearance is necessary.

• You may enter your plea in Court on the Court date indicated on your citation.  Juveniles (16 and under with a non-traffic offense) must be accompanied by a parent and will be seen by the Judge in closed chambers

• You may enter a not guilty plea prior to your Court date.   If a not guilty plea is entered the matter will be scheduled for a pretrial conference with the City Prosecutor

Default Judgment:

Failure to appear in Court, pay your forfeiture, or enter a not-guilty plea prior to your initial Court date, will result in a default judgment entered against you with a plea of no contest, a finding of guilty and penalties imposed.