Traffic cases can have various hearings scheduled. Listed below are customary hearings for traffic infractions, traffic offenses, and traffic related misdemeanor matters:
Arraignment: The defendant appears before the Judge or Magistrate to be advised of their rights and to plead to charges on the ticket or summons and complaint.
Disposition/Plea Hearing: The prosecutor and defense discuss the possibility of resolving a case prior to trial.
Motions: An oral or written request made by a party to the judicial officer for a ruling or order directing some act or action to be performed.
Final Hearing: A judicial officer will determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant and impose a sentence if they are found guilty. The law enforcement officer presents the case for the City and County of Denver and there is no City Attorney involved.
Court Trial: There is no jury and a judicial officer determines both the issues of law and the facts of the case. The judicial officer will determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant and impose sentence.
Jury Trial: The case is presented to a jury and the factual questions and the final judgment are determined by a jury.
Sentencing: The punishment imposed by the judicial officer. A sentence could include fines, costs, fees, jail time, probation, behavior modification classes, and community service. Sentencing can occur immediately after a finding or plea of guilty, or can be scheduled for a later date.
Review Hearings: A hearing to review the sentence compliance of a defendant.
Probation Show Cause Hearing: A hearing to review the non-compliance of a defendant on probation prior to probation being revoked.