Your Rights
You have many rights as a defendant in municipal court:
- You are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
- You have the right to testify on your own behalf or refuse to do so without consequences.
- You have the right to retain an attorney, but are not required to do so.
- You have the right to represent yourself as a pro se defendant.
- You have the right to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest (nolo contendere)
- You have the right to receive a copy of the complaint before trial as well as other information the state has about your case. This is called discovery.
Your rights during trial:
- You have the right to a jury trial or a trial before a judge.
- You have the right to hear all testimony introduced against you.
- You have the right to cross examine witnesses who testify against you.
- You have the right to testify on your own behalf or refuse to do so without consequences.
- You have the right to subpoena and call witnesses to testify on your behalf.
- You have the right to appeal.
If you have questions about your rights, you may contact an attorney.
If you need the services of an interpreter, please notify the municipal court staff at the time of your request for a court date.