Weld County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Weld County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Weld County.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Weld County Criminal Court
Weld County Required Court Appearances
In Weld County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Where will Weld County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Weld County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Weld County.
I need help for my Weld 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 Weld 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 Weld 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 is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
Weld County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Weld County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Weld County. The Weld 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.
What happens in Weld County at an arraignment?
In Weld County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Jury Deliberations in Weld County
In Weld 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.
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.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Weld County Criminal Court Locations
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Weld County District Court
Address: 901 9th Avenue, PO Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-475-2400 -
Weld County District Court – Centennial Center
Address: 915 10th Street, PO Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-475-2400 -
Weld County District Court – Plaza West
Address: 910 10th Avenue, PO Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-475-2400 -
County Court of Weld County
Address: 901 9th Avenue, PO Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-475-2400 -
County Court of Weld County – Centennial Center
Address: 915 10th Street, PO Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-475-2400 -
County Court of Weld County – Plaza West
Address: 910 10th Avenue, PO Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-475-2400 -
Ault Municipal Court
Address: 201 1st Street, PO Box 1098, Ault CO 80610
Phone: 970-834-2844 Fax: 970-834-2199 -
Dacono Municipal Court
Address: 512 Cherry Street, Dacono, CO 80514
Phone: 303-833-3095 Ext. 140 Fax: 303-833-0634 -
Eaton Municipal Court
Address: 223 1st Street, Eaton, CO 80615
Phone: 970-454-2212 Fax: 970-454-3339 -
Erie Municipal Court
Address: 645 Holbrook Street, Erie, CO 80516
Phone: 303-926-2851 Fax: 303-926-2855 -
Evans Municipal Court
Address: 1100 37th Street, Evans, CO 80620
Phone: 970-475-1123 -
Firestone Municipal Court
Address: 151 Grant Avenue, PO Box 100, Firestone, CO 80520
Phone: 303-833-0811 Fax: 303-531-6271 -
Fort Lupton Municipal Court
Address: 130 South Mckinley Avenue, Fort Lupton, CO 80621
Phone: 720-466-6105 -
Frederick Municipal Court
Address: 333 5th Street, Frederick, CO 80530
Phone: 720-382-5530 Fax: 720-832-5540 -
Garden City Municipal Court
Address: 621 27th Street Road, Garden City, CO 80631
Phone: 970-351-0041 -
Gilcrest Municipal Court
Address: 304 8th Street, PO Box 128, Gilcrest, CO 80623
Phone: 970-737-2426 Fax: 970-737-2427 -
Greeley Municipal Court
Address: 919 7th Street, Suite 102, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-350-9230 Fax: 970-350-9231 -
Grover Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 57, Grover, CO 80729
Phone: 970-895-2213 Fax: 970-895-8552 -
Hudson Municipal Court
Address: 557 Ash Street, PO Box 351, Hudson, CO 80642
Phone: 303-536-9311 Fax: 303-536-4753 -
Johnstown Municipal Court
Address: 450 South Parish Avenue, PO Box 609, Johnstown, CO 80534
Phone: 970-587-4664 Fax: 970-587-0141 -
Keenesburg Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 312, Keenesburg, CO 80643
Phone: 303-732-4281 Fax: 303-732-0599 -
Kersey Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 657, Kersey, CO 80644
Phone: 970-353-1681 Fax: 970-353-2197 -
La Salle Municipal Court
Address: 128 North 2nd Street, La Salle, CO 80645
Phone: 970-284-5541 Fax: 970-284-6843 -
Lochbuie Municipal Court
Address: 703 Weld County Road 37, Lochbuie, CO 80603
Phone: 303-655-9308 Fax: 303-655-9312 -
Mead Municipal Court
Address: 441 3rd Street, PO Box 626, Mead, CO 80526
Phone: 303-817-0720 Fax: 970-535-0831 -
Milliken Municipal Court
Address: 1201 Broad Street, PO Box 290, Milliken, CO 80543
Phone: 970-660-5015 Fax: 970-587-2678 -
Nunn Municipal Court
Address: 185 Lincoln Avenue, Nunn, CO 80648
Phone: 970-897-2385 Fax: 970-897-2540 -
Platteville Municipal Court
Address: 400 Grand Avenue, Platteville, CO 80651
Phone: 970-785-2245 -
Severance Municipal Court
Address: 3 South Timber Ridge Parkway, Severance, CO 80550
Phone: 970-686-1218 Fax: 970-686-6250 -
Windsor Municipal Court
Address: 301 Walnut Street, Windsor, CO 80550
Phone: 970-674-2400 Fax: 970-674-2456 -
Yuma Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 265, Yuma, CO 80759
Phone: 970-848-3878 Fax: 970-848-5101