Attorneys

What if I want to consult an attorney about my case?

You are always entitled to consult with and/or hire an attorney. If you are a CU student, you may wish to consult with an attorney at Student Legal Services, who offers reduced rates. The court will not appoint a free attorney to represent you.

Information for Attorneys with Local Clients

Due to the volume of MIP cases, typical municipal court procedures will not be implemented when an attorney enters his/her appearance in a MIP case. You will not automatically be scheduled for a Dispo/Trial Setting (pretrial conference). Instead, you must attend the MIP arraignment session. If you have a conflict with the scheduled court date, the court will reset you for another MIP arraignment session.

At MIP arraignment sessions, the court gives a general advisement and then processes cases by groups in the following order:  3rd and subsequent offenders, 2nd offenders, and 1st offenders.  Let the bailiff know the name of your client when you arrive, as attorney cases within each group will be called first.  If you want to know ahead of time which group/plea offer applies to your client, contact the city prosecutor's office.  The prosecutor should know what plea offer is being extended to your client one to two business days before the arraignment date.  Click here to see sample plea offer forms. 

If your client decides not to take the plea bargain offered at arraignment, you may then set the case for Dispo/Trial Setting with the court and schedule a pretrial conference with the prosecutor. Alternatively, your client may plead Not Guilty and you can set the case for trial.

Information for Attorneys with Out of State/Area Clients

If your client lives more than several hours from Boulder, the court may waive the appearance of your client.  However, if your client wants to take advantage of a Deferred Prosecution or Deferred Sentence offer, your client must appear to enter into the agreement, pay the associated fees, and be personally advised by court staff of his or her obligations under the agreement and due dates for completing those conditions.  The court will waive your client's appearance and allow you to enter into the Deferred Prosecution or Deferred Sentence agreement on behalf of your client only if all of the following conditions are met:

1.  You provide proof on the day of court that your client has already completed an appropriate alcohol treatment class.  If you have questions about what type of class will satisfy the court's requirement, please call the court.

2.  If applicable (Deferred Sentences), you provide proof on the day of court that your client has already completed the requisite number of community service hours at a location acceptable to the court.  If you have questions about what type of location will be acceptable, please call the court.

3.  You make payment of all associated fees on the court date.

If you have an eligible client and you intend to enter into a Deferred Prosecution or Deferred Sentence on behalf of your client, you will be allowed to enter your appearance and continue the arraignment to a date when you can appear with these conditions completed.   

Last Updated on Monday, 04 June 2012 11:51