Your Rights
You have many rights as a defendant in municipal court:
- In a criminal case, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
- You have the right to retain, or pay a lawyer to represent you
- You have the right to represent yourself (as a pro se defendant)
- You have the right to view certain evidence at trial to your case, call discovery
- If you are convicted and unable to immediately pay the fine and costs, you have the right to request the court consider alternatives to payment.
*If you need the services of an interpreter, please notify the municipal court administrator prior to your appearance in court.
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 remain silent
- You have the right to present evidence and call witnesses to testify on your behalf