Colorado Springs Municipal Court Lawyer
Colorado Springs Municipal Court Defense
On This Page
- A Summons to Colorado Springs Municipal Court
- About the Court
- Cases the Municipal Court Hears
- Penalties in Municipal Court
- How a Municipal Case Moves Forward
- Jury Trials in Municipal Court
- Traffic Tickets and Fines
- Defending a Municipal Charge
- Why a Municipal Case Still Matters
- Working With a Colorado Springs Municipal Court Lawyer
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
A Summons to Colorado Springs Municipal Court
Many people first learn about Colorado Springs Municipal Court from a ticket or summons handed to them by a police officer. The charge may be a traffic violation, shoplifting, trespass, or disorderly conduct. Because it is a city case rather than a state case, it is easy to assume it does not matter much.
A municipal case is still a criminal case for most charges. It can carry jail time, fines, probation, and a public record that shows up on background checks. The process also has its own rules and deadlines, including a short window to request a jury trial.
Attorney Michael W. Moran is a former municipal court judge. This page explains how Colorado Springs Municipal Court works, the penalties it can impose, what happens at each court date, and how municipal charges are defended.
Before Your First Court Date
- Read the summons carefully. It lists the charge, the code section, the court, and the date and time you must appear.
- Check which court it names. A summons from the Colorado State Patrol or a sheriff's deputy that lists 270 S. Tejon Street is an El Paso County case, not a municipal case.
- Do not miss the date. If you do not appear, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest. See our page on warrants.
- Do not pay a criminal charge without advice. Paying a payable ticket counts as a conviction. For criminal charges, a plea can create a permanent record.
- Save evidence. Keep photos, receipts, texts, and the names of witnesses while the details are fresh.
About the Court
Every Colorado city is required to create a municipal court to hear violations of its ordinances, under C.R.S. 13-10-104. The Colorado Springs Municipal Court is a court of record with limited jurisdiction. It hears violations of the city charter and city ordinances, including traffic and criminal violations.
| Address | 224 E. Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 |
| Hours | Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| General questions | 719-385-5922 |
| Case assistance, rescheduling, accommodations | 719-385-5928 |
| Municipal probation | 719-385-5923 |
| City Attorney, Prosecution Division | Suite 410, 719-385-5925 |
From I-25, take the Bijou Street exit east. The court is on the left just before Weber Street. Parking is available in the city garage at Nevada Avenue and Kiowa Street and at meters nearby.
Hearings take place in Divisions 1 through 5 and the Referee room, on the first through third floors. People who are in custody appear for arraignments and pretrial conferences by video from the Criminal Justice Center, and in-custody hearings are held in Division 5. Cases are prosecuted by the Prosecution Division of the City Attorney's Office, not by the District Attorney.
Cases the Municipal Court Hears
Municipal court handles violations of the Colorado Springs City Code that happen inside city limits, usually charged by the Colorado Springs Police Department. Common cases include:
- Shoplifting and theft under $1,000. State law lets cities prohibit theft by ordinance below that value. See our shoplifting page.
- Traffic violations, from speeding and careless driving to more serious traffic offenses
- Trespass, including returning to a store or property after a trespass notice
- Disorderly conduct and fighting in public
- Harassment and other conduct-related offenses
- Criminal mischief involving property damage
- Open container and public consumption violations
- Camping and park violations, animal violations, and other city code offenses
- Parking tickets, which are handled by a Court Referee
The same conduct can sometimes be charged under either city code or state law. Felonies and many serious misdemeanors are filed as state cases in El Paso County Court or District Court instead. Which court your case is in affects the penalties, the prosecutor, and the options available.
Juveniles in Municipal Court
The municipal court has jurisdiction over juveniles, and the Colorado Children's Code procedures do not apply there. A parent or guardian must appear with the juvenile. Under C.R.S. 13-10-113, a juvenile cannot be held in an adult jail for a municipal case, and confinement for contempt of court is limited to 48 hours. See our juvenile defense page.
Penalties in Municipal Court
State law sets the outer limit for municipal penalties. Under C.R.S. 13-10-113, a person convicted in a municipal court of record may be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,650, with the fine limit adjusted for inflation each year. The judge cannot exceed the limits set by the city's own ordinances.
Colorado Springs sets lower limits for most offenses. According to the court's practice guide:
| Type of Violation | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| Violations listed in City Code 11.4.104 | Fine of up to $500, plus court costs and probation |
| All other ordinance violations | Fine of up to $2,500, up to 189 days in jail, court costs, and probation |
The judge may suspend a jail sentence or fine and place the person on probation for up to one year. Court costs are added on top of any fine when a person pleads guilty or no contest, enters a plea agreement, or is found guilty at trial. Restitution can also be ordered when someone suffered a loss.
Typical sentences are far below these maximums, particularly for first-time offenders. Common outcomes include fines, useful public service, classes, and short probation terms.
How a Municipal Case Moves Forward
- Summons or arrest. Most cases begin with a summons that lists your court date. If you were arrested, a bond is set and you are given a court date at release.
- Arraignment. At the first court date, the judge advises you of the charge and your rights, and you enter a plea. A lawyer can file an entry of appearance before this date and, in many cases, continue the arraignment to a pretrial conference.
- Pretrial conference. After a not guilty plea, the case is usually set for a conference with the city prosecutor. Many cases resolve here through a reduced charge, a deferred sentence, or a dismissal with conditions.
- Discovery. The defense requests police reports, body camera video, and other evidence from the City Attorney's Office.
- Motions. Motions to suppress evidence or dismiss are generally made orally on the record, though written motions can be filed with the clerk.
- Trial. If the case does not resolve, it goes to a trial before a judge, or before a jury if you requested one in time.
- Sentencing. If you are convicted, the judge sets the sentence within the city's limits.
Continuances and Rescheduling
The court generally grants one continuance before a court date. A request to continue a trial date needs the prosecution's agreement or a ruling from the judge. People who reschedule at the clerk's counter sign a promise to appear instead of posting bail.
Remote Disposition
For certain case types, people who live outside El Paso County or who need a disability accommodation can ask to resolve the case without appearing in person. The request must be submitted at least 10 days before the court date, and the Prosecution Division may take 5 to 7 business days to respond.
Court-Appointed Counsel
The court contracts with private attorneys to represent people who cannot afford a lawyer and face possible jail time. You must ask the court for appointed counsel and qualify financially.
Witnesses and Subpoenas
Defendants are responsible for bringing their own witnesses. The court issues witness subpoenas at no charge, but requests must be made at least six weeks before trial. Subpoenas for documents must be issued by a judge.
Jury Trials in Municipal Court
Jury trials work differently in municipal court than in county or district court. Under C.R.S. 13-10-114:
- You must ask in writing. A defendant entitled to a jury must request one in writing within 21 days after entering a plea.
- There is a $25 fee, which the judge may waive if you cannot afford it.
- Missing the deadline waives the right. If you do not file the request and pay the fee in time, the case is tried to a judge.
- The jury is small. A municipal jury has three jurors. In a trial for a petty offense, the defendant may request more, up to six.
- The fee can be refunded if the case is dismissed, if you are acquitted, or if you file a written jury waiver at least seven days before trial.
The 21-day deadline is one of the most common traps in municipal court. People who plead not guilty at arraignment without a lawyer often do not realize the clock has started.
Traffic Tickets and Fines
Many municipal court cases are traffic tickets. A few rules are specific to Colorado Springs:
- Automatic point reduction. For traffic offenses of 4 points or less that are payable as listed on the ticket, the court offers an automatic point reduction if payment is received before the court date on the summons.
- Parking tickets must be paid within 14 days of issuance. A $5 late charge applies on day 15. To contest a parking ticket, you see a Court Referee.
- To contest a ticket, you must appear on your court date and plead not guilty.
Paying a ticket is a guilty plea, and the points are reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles. If you are close to a points suspension, have a commercial license, or are under 21, talk with a lawyer before paying. See our traffic ticket page for the points schedule and suspension thresholds.
Defending a Municipal Charge
Municipal cases are prosecuted under the same constitutional rules as state cases. The city must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and you have the right to remain silent, to a lawyer, and to challenge the evidence. No lawyer can promise a particular result, but these are the issues that often decide municipal cases.
The Stop, Search, or Detention
If police stopped, searched, or detained you without legal justification, evidence from that encounter can be suppressed. This applies to traffic stops, pedestrian contacts, and store detentions alike.
Body Camera and Store Video
Colorado Springs officers record most contacts. Video often shows what was said, how events unfolded, and whether the written report matches what happened. Store and business video must be requested quickly, before it is overwritten.
The Exact Wording of the Ordinance
City code offenses have specific elements, and they do not always match the state law version of the same offense. A charge can fail if the conduct does not fit the ordinance as written.
Negotiated Outcomes
Many municipal cases resolve without a conviction on the original charge. Depending on the case and your record, options may include a deferred sentence that ends in dismissal, a reduction to a non-criminal or lower-point offense, or a dismissal after completing a class or useful public service.
Trial
When the evidence is weak, a trial may be the right choice. A timely jury request preserves that option, and a lawyer can use the pretrial conference to test the city's case first.
Why a Municipal Case Still Matters
- A criminal record. Convictions for criminal ordinance violations appear on background checks used by employers, landlords, and schools.
- Theft convictions. A municipal shoplifting conviction is still a theft conviction, which can be especially harmful for jobs involving money or trust.
- Driving privileges. Traffic convictions add points, and points from municipal court count the same as points from county court.
- Immigration. Some municipal convictions, including theft, can affect immigration status. Non-citizens should get advice before entering any plea.
- Military members. Service members at Fort Carson, Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases, and the Air Force Academy may have to report civilian charges to their command.
- Future cases. A prior municipal conviction can affect plea offers and sentences in later cases.
- Your record. Many municipal convictions and dismissed cases can be sealed. See our record sealing page.
Working With a Colorado Springs Municipal Court Lawyer
Attorney Michael W. Moran has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 1995. As a former municipal court judge, he understands how municipal cases are decided from the bench, and he now represents people charged with municipal offenses in Colorado Springs and in the municipal courts of Fountain, Manitou Springs, Monument, Woodland Park, and other nearby cities.
A lawyer can often handle the arraignment for you, request discovery, negotiate with the city prosecutor, and make sure the jury deadline is not missed. A first meeting covers the charge, the evidence, the possible penalties, and the outcomes most likely in your situation.
Criminal Defense Colorado Springs, P.C. offers free, confidential consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Colorado Springs Municipal Court?
The court is at 224 E. Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. It is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The general phone number is 719-385-5922.
Can I go to jail for a municipal court charge?
Yes. For most Colorado Springs ordinance violations, the maximum is up to 189 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Violations listed in City Code 11.4.104 carry fines only, up to $500. Jail is uncommon for first-time, low-level cases.
How do I get a jury trial in Colorado Springs Municipal Court?
You must request a jury in writing within 21 days after entering a plea and pay a $25 fee, which can be waived if you cannot afford it. If you miss the deadline, the case is tried to a judge.
Do I need a lawyer for municipal court?
You are not required to have one, but a municipal conviction can create a criminal record. A lawyer can often negotiate a better outcome, protect your jury rights, and spare you some court appearances.
What happens if I miss my municipal court date?
The court can issue a warrant for your arrest. A lawyer can often help address the warrant and get a new court date. Call the court at 719-385-5928 as soon as possible.
Is a municipal court conviction on my criminal record?
Yes, for criminal ordinance violations. Many of these convictions, and cases that were dismissed, can be sealed under Colorado law.
My ticket says 270 S. Tejon Street. Is that municipal court?
No. Tickets written by the Colorado State Patrol or a sheriff's deputy that list 270 S. Tejon Street are El Paso County cases. Call El Paso Combined Courts at 719-452-5000 with questions.
Can I resolve my case without coming to court?
Remote disposition is available for certain case types, but only for people who live outside El Paso County or need a disability accommodation. The request must be made at least 10 days before the court date. A lawyer can also appear for you in some situations.
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