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1. What does the District Attorney's (DA) Office do?

The residents of each of Colorado's 22 judicial districts elect a district attorney to represent "the People" of the State of Colorado in all criminal proceedings through the trial stage of cases. Grand, Moffat, and Routt counties comprise the 14th Judicial District. The District Attorney's Office does not handle civil matters or divorce proceedings.

2. Can I plea by mail?

You may be able to plea by mail if you live outside the 14th Judicial District and you are not facing jail time. Contact the respective deputy district attorney on whether you qualify for a plea by mail.

3. What are the procedures for getting my police report?

You will need to call the main number for the appropriate office and talk to the legal secretary. The legal secretary will tell you the number of pages and how much it will cost. We charge $0.25 per page. CDs are $15 each. You can come to the appropriate district attorney's office and pick up your police reports. We only accept checks or money orders.

4. What happens when I come to court on a traffic ticket?

Although the procedures are different in each court, generally, you will be advised of your rights by the judge and be allowed to see the Deputy District Attorney. The DDA will offer you a plea agreement. It is your decision on whether you take the plea agreement or not. If you take the plea agreement, you can plead guilty on that date and depending on the crime be sentenced. If you decide not to take the plea agreement, you can set the case for trial. At the first appearance in court you also have the right to set the case over to talk to a defense attorney. Your plea agreement that is offered does not get worse if you talk to a defense attorney.

5. How do I change my bond conditions?

You will need to file a motion with the court requesting a change in the bond conditions and the reason why. You will also need to send a copy to the appropriate District Attorney's Office. It is the policy of the District Attorney's Office to evaluate every case and make a recommendation to change bond conditions or not change bond conditions based upon the facts of that case. A Deputy District Attorney may recommend that bond conditions stay in place even though a victim may want them lifted.

6. What does the County Attorney do?

The County Attorney's Office provides general legal counsel to the Board of County Commissioners, elected officials, county departments and other agencies as authorized by the Board of County Commissioners.

The County Attorney also provide representation to the county Department of Social Services in dependency and neglect cases, public assistance issues, adult protection matters, child support issues and other civil matters related to the department.

7. If I have a traffic ticket, can I discuss my ticket with the Deputy District Attorney prior to the court date?

Generally, due to the high volume of cases, you cannot talk to the Deputy District Attorney about your case until the court date. You are welcome to fax or mail a letter to DA prior to the hearing. If your case is a traffic infraction, the Deputy District Attorney cannot handle your case and you will need to contact the appropriate court.

8. What is a traffic infraction?

Traffic infractions are low level traffic offenses that carry only a fine. To check if you have a traffic infraction you can call the appropriate court and they can tell you whether you case is a traffic infraction or misdemeanor traffic offense.

9. How do I change my court date?

You will need to contact the appropriate court, see the county office page. The District Attorney's Office cannot continue your court date.

10. What if I want to report a crime?

You will need to contact your local police agency. The District Attorney's Office relies upon the police agencies to provide us with investigations. The numbers for the police agencies can be found by clicking on the following link. If it an emergency, you can dial 911.

11. Why are some cases plea bargained?

There are not enough DA's, judges, courtrooms, or trial days on the calendar to put all the thousands of cases every year in the 14th Judicial District before a jury. For those defendants taken to trial, or for those who plead guilty before a trial, there are not enough jail cells in the state to hold them.

These practical demands plus the defendant's speedy trial rights, the seriousness of the cases, the strengths or weaknesses of cases, the victim's wishes, public safety, punishment, rehabilitation, and deterrence are all interests that are considered by the DA when deciding how to proceed. Most cases are resolved in a relatively short time with a plea agreement designed to balance the competing interests involved.

12. How do I get a Public Defender or other legal representation, when I am accused of a crime?

In all traffic and misdemeanor cases it is necessary to attend the arraignment without a Public Defender present. This is because many defendants choose to take the DA's offer, and find no further court dates are necessary.

Once a pretrial date has been set after pleading not guilty, then the Public Defender's Office may be contacted to see if you qualify for representation. Clients must be able to show proof of their low income level by providing pay stubs or tax returns.

Private Counsel may also be sought, and generally an entry of appearance and a request for a retrial conference are filed with the courts as well as the DA's office. In this situation, it is not necessary for the defendant to appear at either court date because the attorney is representing the client.

It is also possible for a defendant to represent themselves throughout the court process, or "pro se." The District Attorney's office will give anyone representing themselves equal consideration in the case, and the same plea bargain as if they had an attorney.