Rio Grande County Criminal Court

Rio Grande County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Rio Grande County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Rio Grande County.

Rio Grande County Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Rio Grande County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

Required Court Appearances in Rio Grande County

Any required court appearances in Rio Grande County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.

Rio Grande County Criminal Court

Rio Grande County Criminal Court

The Right to Trial by Jury

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.

Plea Agreements

A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Rio Grande County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

Arraignments in Rio Grande County

During an arraignment in Rio Grande County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Rio Grande County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Rio Grande County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

Rio Grande County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Rio Grande County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Rio Grande County. The Rio Grande County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.

I need help for my Rio Grande County criminal case

The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Rio Grande County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Rio Grande County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.

What if I can’t afford an attorney?

The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.

Burden of Proof Requirement

In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Jury Deliberations in Rio Grande County

In Rio Grande County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.

If guilty, who sentences the defendant?

If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.

Rio Grande County Criminal Court Locations

  • Rio Grande County District Court

    Address: 925 6th Street, Room 204, Del Norte, CO 81132
    Phone: 719-657-3394

  • County Court of Rio Grande County

    Address: 925 6th Street, Room 204, Del Norte, CO 81132
    Phone: 719-657-3394

  • Monte Vista Municipal Court

    Address: 95 West 1st Avenue, Monte Vista, CO 81144
    Phone: 719-852-2692

  • Oak Creek Municipal Court

    Address: 129 Nancy Crawford Blvd, PO Box 128, Oak Creek, CO 80467
    Phone: 970-736-2422 Ext. 205 Fax: 970-736-8225

  • South Fork Municipal Court

    Address: 100 Silver Thread Lane, PO Box 369, South Fork, CO 81154
    Phone: 719-873-0152

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