On or before the 10^th calendar day you must decide upon and enter a plea.  If you signed a citation in front of an officer, you did not plead guilty, but only signed a promise to appear in court.  If you wish to apply for Defensive Driving, Deferred Disposition or set a court date to appear before the Judge, you must do so within 10 calendar days of the date of citation, in person, with the Municipal Court Clerk at City Hall.

You may have an attorney represent you in court if you desire, however, this is not required.  Most defendants in municipal court do not use attorneys.

Cases heard in municipal courts are “Class C” misdemeanors.  If a verdict of guilty is found, a fine will be assessed.  The court costs and fees collected in municipal court are mandatory.  No jail time may be assessed; however, persons not paying fines may be held in the city jail to satisfy the fines assessed at $100 credit per day.

You have the right to have a jury trial by six persons of this community.  You may waive this option and have the case heard before the Municipal Judge.

You have the opportunity to have witnesses appear on your behalf.  You may request the Court to have necessary witnesses and/or evidence subpoenaed. 

You have the right to review the complaint affidavit filed against you.  You also have the opportunity to review the state law or city ordinance that you have been accused of violating.

If you are found guilty in court, you have 10 calendar days in which to pay the fine or appeal the case to County Court.  If you fail to do one or the other, a warrant of arrest will be issued.

Failure to appear in Court on your scheduled date will result in a warrant of arrest being issued.

A cash bond may be required for resetting a case for court.  If a cash bond is posted and you are found not guilty, the bond posted will be refunded.  If you are found guilty, the bond or parts thereof will be applied toward the assessed fine.