Denver County Court

Frequently Asked Questions

CAN I ACCESS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITATION ONLINE?

Yes. You can view the photo citation online if you have the citation number and pin number. If you set the matter for a final hearing in County Court, you can view your case online for free if you have the citation number.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO PAY MY FINE?

If you received a Notice of Violation and you are choosing not to contest your violation in court, you must pay the fine by the date listed in the notice. You can pay online, or you can mail a check or money order to:

Denver Police Department
Photo Enforcement Unit
P.O. Box 46503
Denver, CO 80201-6503
 

If you set the matter for Final Hearing and you wish to pay instead of coming to court, you can still pay the fine and cost of service fee, but you must do so at least 5 days prior to the hearing date.

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF VIOLATION?

If you received a Notice of Violation, four options are available:

1) You can pay the citation online or by mail. If you pay online you must have the citation number and pin number listed on your notice. If you pay by mail, mail your check or money order to:

Denver Police Department
Photo Enforcement Unit
P.O. Box 46503
Denver, CO 80201-6503
 

Please include your citation number or license plate number. You must pay by the respond date listed in your Notice.

2) If you are not the driver, you must sign and mail in the “Not Pictured Driver Affidavit” located on the back of your Notice. You must submit a clear photocopy of your driver’s license with the Affidavit. Mail to:

Denver Police Department
Photo Enforcement Unit
P.O. Box 46503
Denver, CO 80201-6503
 

The documentation will be reviewed by the Denver Police Department and a determination will be made regarding the identity of the driver. If further information is required, you will be contacted. In most cases you will be notified by mail of the outcome of the review.

If it is determined that you are not the driver, the citation will be dismissed. If your affidavit is not accepted, the Notice of Violation will remain in your name.

3) You may choose to nominate another driver. To do so, you should fill out the “Nomination Affidavit” information and mail to the Denver Police Department. A review will occur. If the affidavit is accepted the citation against you will be cancelled and placed in the name of the person nominated. If the affidavit is not accepted, the citation will remain in your name.

4) You can bring your Notice of Violation to County Court, sign an Advisement of Rights form and set the matter for a Final Hearing so a Judge or Magistrate can decide your guilt or innocence. To do this, you must come to the Clerk’s Office in Room 135, 1437 Bannock Street. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Before setting the matter for Final Hearing you may want to review the photo citation online to determine is you still want to choose this option. You must have your citation number and pin number listed on your Notice of Violation to view online. You can also request a review with the Photo Enforcement Unit by contacting them at (720) 337-1114.

NOTE: If you ignore the Notice of Violation, a Penalty Assessment Notice will be authorized by the Denver Police Department. The Penalty Assessment will be personally served by a process server and an additional charge for service will be required. The fee will be at least $25.00. The Penalty Assessment must be served within 90 days of the violation date to be valid.

If the Penalty Assessment is served, you will need to appear at the County Court Clerk’s Office located in Room 135, 1437 Bannock Street, sign an Advisement of Rights form, and schedule the matter for a final hearing. You must do this by the response date listed on the Penalty Assessment.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I IGNORE THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION?

If you ignore the Notice of Violation, a Penalty Assessment Notice will be authorized by the Denver Police Department. The Penalty Assessment will be personally served by a process server and an additional charge for service will be required. The fee will be at least $25.00. The Penalty Assessment must be served within 90 days of the violation date to be valid.

If the Penalty Assessment is served, you will need to appear at the County Court Clerk’s Office located in Room 135, 1437 Bannock Street, sign an Advisement of Rights form, and schedule the matter for a final hearing. You must do this by the response date listed on the Penalty Assessment. If you do not want to have a court hearing, you can pay online or by mail before the response date.

WILL I RECEIVE POINTS ON MY DRIVING RECORD?

No, there are no points associated with Photo Enforcement citations.

HOW DO I REQUEST A PHOTO ENFORCEMENT CITATION REVIEW?

Call the Photo Enforcement Unit at (720) 337-1114. Please note that reviews are a courtesy, not a right. Be sure to review the images online before requesting a review. The review is not an opportunity to debate the merits of the violation or the Photo Enforcement Program. The review may not result in the dismissal or cancellation of the notice against you.

WHAT IF I AM NOT THE PERSON PICTURED IN THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION?

If you are not the driver, you must sign and mail in the “Not Pictured Driver Affidavit” located on the back of your Notice. You must submit a clear photocopy of your drivers license with the affidavit. Mail to:

Denver Police Department Photo Enforcement Unit P.O. Box 46503 Denver, CO 80201-6503

The documentation will be reviewed by the Denver Police Department and a determination will be made regarding the identity of the driver. If further information is required, you will be contacted. In most cases you will be notified by mail of the outcome of the review.

If it is determined that you are not the driver, the citation will be dismissed.

If your affidavit is not accepted, the Notice of Violation will remain in your name.

CAN I REQUEST AN EXTENSION TO PAY A FINE?

You can request time to pay your fine after you have appeared in court. You will need to speak to a collection investigator and provide financial information   . Collection investigators are located in Room 145 in City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street. The collection investigator will decide if you qualify for an extension or payment plan. Typically, if the amount you owe is $100 or less, you will need to pay in full on the day you appear in court.

CAN I REQUEST A CONTINUANCE OF MY FINAL HEARING?

Because there are many parties involved and you have the right to a speedy resolution to your case, you must see the judicial officer to request a continuance of a Final Hearing.

HOW DO I SUBPOENA DOCUMENTS OR WITNESSES?

You can subpoena (require) someone to come to court to testify and bring documents or other forms of physical evidence. Access subpoenas online and information on how to serve the subpoena. Subpoenas are free of charge, however serving a subpoena is at your own expense.

HOW SHOULD I DRESS WHEN I GO TO COURT?

Dress in business attire. Shirt and shoes are required. Men are not allowed to wear hats or any type of head gear. Casual attire such as wearing a tank top or shorts is inappropriate and the judge could decide not to hear your case if dressed inappropriately.

Other courtroom rules:

  • No food, drink, or chewing gum;
  • No weapons;
  • Turn off pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices;
  • Address the judge as “Your Honor”
  • Maintain a professional demeanor and attitude;
  • Be on time for your hearing;
  • Do not enter the area between the counsel table and judge’s bench without permission;
  • If you are under the age of 18, you must bring a parent or legal guardian with you.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISSED MY FINAL HEARING DATE?

The judicial officer will enter a default judgment in the case which means they deem that you are responsible for the citation. The fines and any cost of service fee will be due, and the case may be sent to a collection agency.

HOW DO I REQUEST A DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION?

It is the policy of the Court to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal and full access to the judicial system. To request an accommodation, complete the ADA Request Form. You should file this form with the Court’s ADA Coordinator as far in advance as possible, but at least five (5) days before the date that you need the accommodation.

WHAT IF I DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH?

The Court provides interpreters upon request. You can submit your request online or call the Court as soon as possible to make the request.

Cases scheduled for the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street, should call (720) 865-7840.

CAN I BRING CHILDREN TO COURT?

It is not recommended that you bring children to court. Court proceedings can take a long time and individuals waiting for their case to be called must remain quiet. Some Judges do not allow children in the courtroom.

Children may be brought to the Warm Welcome Court Childcare Center while their caregivers are conducting court business. The Childcare Center is a safe drop-in center that is free of charge. You can read more about the Childcare Center and their policies and procedures.

I LOST MY CASE. CAN I FILE AN APPEAL?

Yes, view the Appeal Section for more information.

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