Denver County Court

Traffic Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT INFORMATION IS ON MY TRAFFIC TICKET?

Your traffic ticket (also referred to as a summons and complaint) is a legal document that contains important information on both the front and back.  It is very important to read both sides of your ticket.

The ticket will include the following:

  • Ticket number
  • Violation(s) and description of the violation(s), including date, time and location of the violation
  • Address and phone number of the court
  • Court date and time
  • Officer name and badge number

NOTE:  The police officer has until the court date to file the ticket with the Court.

CAN I ACCESS INFORMATION ABOUT MY TICKET ONLINE?

Yes.  It can take up to two weeks for your ticket to be available online.  (The officer has until the court date to file the ticket with the Court.) You must have your case number in order to see your case for free.

Tickets scheduled to appear at 1437 Bannock Street have a number on the right hand corner.  This is the case number you will need to use to search for your case.

Summons and complaints scheduled to appear in the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 W. Colfax Avenue will receive a case number when they are filed with the Court.  You can call the Clerk’s Office to get your case number at 720-337-0410, or you can pay $2.00 to search for your cases you have in Denver County Court.  Case numbers also appear on all court paperwork you receive.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO PAY MY FINE?

If you received a ticket that can be paid without coming to court, and you choose to pay, you must pay your fine and fees prior to the court date.  You can pay online. You can also mail a check or money order made payable to the Manager of Finance to 1437 Bannock Street, Room 135, Denver, CO  80202, along with a signed copy of your ticket indicating you are pleading guilty.  Your payment must be received prior to the court date.

Traffic offenses and misdemeanors require a court appearance and cannot be paid prior to court.  If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the judicial officer will sentence you.  Your sentence usually includes fines and costs which must be paid the same day of sentencing.

CAN I TRANSFER MY TICKET TO ANOTHER COUNTY?

No, traffic cases must be heard in the county where you received the ticket.

WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MY TICKET?

When you get a ticket you have a few options, depending on the violation(s) (laws) you were cited for violating:

Pay the Ticket:

If there is a fine listed on your ticket, you can pay the ticket online, by mail, or in person at the address listed on the ticket.

Appear in Court:

If you have a fine amount on your ticket, but you do not pay before your scheduled court date, you must appear in court at the date and time stated on your ticket.

If you believe that you are not guilty, you must appear in court and enter a not guilty plea and set the matter for a Final Hearing or Trial.  A Final Hearing is set for traffic infractions and traffic offenses are set for either a Court Trial or Jury Trial.

If there is no fine amount on the ticket, you must appear in court.    

More information is available on disputing your ticket.

CAN I REQUEST AN EXTENSION OF THE COURT DATE ON MY TICKET?

If your ticket is scheduled for traffic court at 1437 Bannock St, you may request a one-time continuance for your first traffic court appearance.

Please verify online that your ticket has been filed with the court before making a request to continue your court appearance.

You may make the request electronically by clicking this link: Electronic One Time Continuance Request Form.

You can also appear for the “add-on” docket, but you must come in before your scheduled court date.  The “add-on” docket is held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. You must report to 1437 Bannock Street, Room 135 at 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.  Evening “add-on” dockets are held Monday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m.  If you plan to attend evening add-on court, please call ahead, 720-865-7840. Sometimes the dockets are large and space is limited, so please be early if possible.

If you do not receive a response via email from the court after one business day, call 720-865-7840, or plan to attend court on your original court date and time.

If your ticket is scheduled for the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse located at 520 W. Colfax, you may obtain additional information here, or by calling 720-865-0410.

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, or Room 160 of the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 W. Colfax Avenue.   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.

NOTE:  If at any time you file for bankruptcy protection, pursuant to Title 11, Section 523(a) U.S.C., debts for fines, penalties, forfeitures, or criminal restitution obligations are not dischargeable in a bankruptcy action and must be paid.

CAN I REQUEST A CONTINUANCE OF MY FINAL HEARING OR TRIAL DATE?

Because there are many parties involved and you have the right to a speedy trial, you must see the Judge or Magistrate to request a continuance of a Final Hearing or Trial.

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.  Serving a subpoena is at your own expense.

I RECEIVED A SUBPOENA, NOW WHAT DO I DO?

You must appear in court.  Failure to appear in court in response to a subpoena is a violation of a court order, and the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

HOW SHOULD I DRESS WHEN I GO TO COURT?

Dress in business attire.  Shirt and shoes are required.  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.  Men are not allowed to wear hats or any type of head gear.

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.

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?

Spanish interpreters are readily available, so a special request is not required.  For languages other than Spanish, you can submit your request online or call the Court as soon as possible to make the request.

Cases scheduled for the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 W. Colfax Avenue, should call (720) 377-0410.

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.

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF A WARRANT FOR MY ARREST?

If you have a warrant for your arrest you have three options for clearing the warrant.

  • Turn yourself in to the Denver Police Department and be booked into jail.  You will be brought before a judge, but more than likely you will spend a night in jail;
  • Post the full amount of the bond imposed and all required fees.  To find the bond amount, you can look up your case online.  You must go to the Bonding Office located on the first floor of the Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, 490 W. Colfax Avenue to pay the bond.  You will be given a new court date to appear.
  • Pay a warrant cancellation/docket fee of $100 and receive a new appearance date.  The $100 fee is nonrefundable.  You can do this online or appear and pay the fee at the Clerk’s Office in Room 160 of the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 W. Colfax Avenue or Room 135 of the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street.  This will cancel your warrant and get your case back on the judge’s docket. Note:  You may only use this option if you failed to appear for arraignment.  (If your case is scheduled to be heard at 1437 Bannock Street and you failed to appear at a Disposition Hearing, you may also take advantage of this option.)

If you choose not to do any of these options, your warrant will remain active and you could be arrested at any time.  The County Court Marshal’s actively work to arrest individuals who fail to appear or comply with a court order.  You could also be arrested by other law enforcement officers if you are stopped or contacted.  If you are arrested, you will need to post bond or wait to appear before a judge before you are released.   The arrest will be a permanent part of your criminal record.

If you have a warrant for your arrest because of a case in another court, you must contact the court that issued the warrant and inquire about their warrant cancellation policies.

HOW DO I CLEAR A HOLD ON MY DRIVER’S LICENSE?

You must pay all outstanding fines and fees owed to the Court before the Court will release the hold on your driver’s license.  For more detail information, see the OJW Section of this site.

I WON MY CASE.  WILL MY JURY FEE BE REFUNDED?

Yes.  Your jury fee will be mailed to the person who deposited the money with the Court within 6 weeks after the disposition of the case.  If you do not receive your refund, call (720) 865-7805.

If the depositor’s address has changed, tell the judge or courtroom clerk.

I LOST MY CASE.  CAN I FILE AN APPEAL?

Yes, view the Appeal Section for more information.

WHAT IF MY TICKET REQUIRES PROOF OF INSURANCE?

If you are scheduled to appear at 1437 Bannock Street and you had insurance at the time you received your ticket, you can show proof to the clerk at the address listed on your ticket.  The clerk will verify your information and if valid, the insurance violation will be dismissed.

If you did not have insurance at the time you received the ticket, you must appear in court.

If the ONLY charge on your traffic ticket is §42-4-1409 C.R.S. (No Proof of Insurance), and your vehicle was insured at the date and time of the violation, you may be able to resolve your case without an appearance in court.  Use this Proof of Insurance Verification form to make the request to have your No Proof of Insurance charge dismissed without a court appearance. Your request to dismiss the No Proof of Insurance charge, MUST be made at least two business days prior to your scheduled court appearance. 

If you are scheduled to appear at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, you must appear in court.

ARE PARKING TICKETS HANDLED BY THE COURT?

Parking tickets may be paid to the Denver Parking Violations Bureau.

The Parking Magistrates Office provides a way for citizens to contest a parking ticket.

IF THERE IS NO FINE AMOUNT LISTED ON THE TICKET, HOW DO I PAY?

If you received a ticket that does not list a fine amount, you must appear on the court date and at the location listed on your ticket.  If you plead guilty, the Judge will impose the fine at that time.

NOTE:  If the Court location on your ticket is 1437 Bannock Street, Room 135, you may be able to reach a plea bargain agreement by mail. It is up to the Court and the City Attorney’s Office whether or not they will grant you the ability to take care of your case by mail. You can file a on-line motion with the Court by following the instructions on the Motion for Traffic Plea by Mail form.

WHAT IF I MISS MY COURT DATE OR TRIAL DATE?

If you miss your court date, you should contact the court as quickly as possible to find out the status.  If you have your ticket or case number, you can view the status of your case online for free.  For tickets scheduled in the courthouse located at 1437 Bannock Street, please call (720) 865-7840.  For tickets scheduled in the Lindsey-Flanigan courthouse located at 520 W. Colfax Avenue, please call (720) 337-0410.

The Court can order a warrant for your arrest.  If the Court is holding any bond money, that money can be forfeited to the Court.  The Department of Motor Vehicles will be notified and a hold will be placed on your license which could result in your license being cancelled.

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