Justice Court

Justice Court has appearances on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, excluding Federal Holidays. An issuing agency (Sheriff Office, FWP, Motor Carriers, MHP, Dept of Livestock, and Wheatland County Attorney) may charge a defendant with a violation by citation and/or a physical arrest. On these misdemeanor citations the investigating officer will indicate an appearance date on the citation; typically, it is within 10 days from the issuance of the citation. Holidays and Judge’s schedule may cause appearance delays.

If the citation is marked, must appear or mandatory, you must appear in person during court hours on or before the noted appearance date. If a defendant was physically arrested, he/she will be brought forth to the closest Judge, during court hours, for an initial appearance.

During an appearance the Judge will advise the defendant of the charge, their rights, and ask if the defendant is prepared to enter a plea. A plea could be guilty, not guilty or nolo contendere. If the defendant enters a guilty plea the Judge will determine a legally, appropriate sentence. If a defendant enters a not guilty plea, the court will set an omnibus hearing, approximately 6-8 weeks from the plea date. The omnibus hearing is a scheduling hearing to set future court dates. A plea of nolo contendere is a plea by which a defendant in a criminal case accepts conviction as though guilty plea had been entered but does not admit guilt. However, the plea of nolo contendere on traffic violations will still post points (if any) to the driver’s history.

Many defendants inquire about a public defender or retaining an attorney. Any defendant can retain (hire) an attorney (counsel) if they choose. However, if the alleged violation has jail time as an option in sentencing AND the defendant meets the eligibility requirements, a Public Defender could be appointed. The Public Defender’s office applications are available at Justice Court.