Denver County Court

Criminal Arraignment

In most cases, the Arraignment is the first time the defendant will appear in court.  The Arraignment date is listed on all summons and complaints.  If a defendant loses their summons and complaint, they can find their court date by doing a Court Date Search that will give them a list of all their cases with upcoming court dates.  Arraignment Courtrooms are located in the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 W. Colfax Avenue and are Courtrooms 4C or 4F.

At the Arraignment, the Judge or Magistrate tells the defendant:

  • What the charges are;
  • What his or her constitutional rights are;
  • What all the possible penalties are; and
  • That if he or she does not have enough money to hire a lawyer, the court will appoint a lawyer for free.

View video advisement for Municipal Violations.

View video advisement for Criminal Violations

The defendant may respond to the charges by entering a plea. Common pleas include guilty, not guilty, or no contest (nolo-contendere).

  • Not guilty means the defendant says he or she did not commit the crime and they want to go to trial.
  • Guilty means the defendant admits he or she committed the crime. The Judge or Magistrate accepts the guilty plea and enters a conviction in the court records.
  • No contest means the defendant does not contest (disagree with) the charge. The plea has the same effect as a guilty plea.

At Arraignment the defendant may enter a plea of guilty to an agreed upon plea bargain. A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant, his or her lawyer, and the prosecutor which may include a reduction of charges, dismissal of some charges, or agreement on sentencing.

Information on a continuance may be found HERE.