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Trial Request If you would like to plead not guilty and request a trial before a judge or jury, you may do so within 21 calendar days from the date of the offense.
To do this you must complete the appropriate section on the back of the pink copy of the citation and mailing or fax it. Otherwise you are required to enter your plea in person at the court clerk window at the Irving Criminal Justice Center on any weekday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a trial is requested, the defendant will be scheduled for a mandatory Pre-Trial Hearing that the defendant (and attorney if one is retained) must attend. The purpose of the Pre-Trial Hearing is for the city prosecutor and the defendant to have an opportunity to discuss available options to the defendant in dealing with the case. If the situation is still unresolved after the Pre-Trial Hearing, the case will be placed on a court docket for trial. If it is more than 21 calendar days past the date of the offense, and your case has gone into warrant status, you must appear in person at the court clerk window to enter a plea of not guilty.* *Before you will be placed on a court docket you will also be required to post a cash bond in an amount equal to the amount of the fine for the violation you have been charged. The Trial Support Section of the Court Services Division handles all pre-trial, trial, and jury trial requests. |