Your Rights

You have many rights as a defendant in municipal court:

  • You are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • You have the right to testify on you own behalf or refuse to do so without consequences.
  • You have the right to retain an attorney, but you are not required to do so.
  • You have the right to represent yourself as a pro se defendent.
  • You have the right to receive a copy of the complaint before trial as well as other information the state has about your case.

Your rights during trial:

  • You have the right to a jury trial or a trial before the judge.
  • You have the right to hear all testimony introduced against you.
  • You have the right to testify on your own behalf or refuse to do so without consequences.
  • You have the right to subpoena and call witnesses to testify on your behalf.
  • You have the right to appeal.