Information on Court Appearances
You are legally required to appear in court for your case. If you received a citation, the appearance date is listed at the bottom of the citation. You or your attorney may appear in court in person, by mail, or by delivering your plea directly to the court. Exceptions apply to juveniles and certain minors.
Juveniles
Minors (Alcohol-Related Offenses)
Your First Court Appearance
Your first appearance is for entering a plea. Please read the information about plea options before deciding to plead guilty or no contest.
Plea of Guilty
A guilty plea means you admit that the law was violated and that you committed the offense. Before choosing this plea, you should know:
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The State must prove that you broke the law—you do not have to prove your innocence.
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You have the right to hear the State’s evidence and require them to prove the charge.
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If your case involves a traffic accident, a guilty plea may be used against you in a civil lawsuit. Another party may claim you were at fault because you pled guilty to the traffic charge.
Plea of Nolo Contendere (No Contest)
A no contest plea means you do not dispute the charge, but you are not admitting guilt.
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You will almost always be found guilty unless you qualify for and successfully complete a driving safety course or court-ordered probation.
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Unlike a guilty plea, a no contest plea generally cannot be used against you later in a civil lawsuit for damages.
Plea of Not Guilty
A not guilty plea means you deny the charge and require the State to prove it in court.
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If you plead not guilty, the court will schedule:
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A pre-trial conference with the prosecutor.
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A jury trial, unless you choose to waive that right.
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If you choose to submit your plea by mail, the court must receive it before your scheduled appearance date. The court will then mail you further instructions using the address on your citation.
