Out of State/Town Defendants

If a defendant resides outside of the state of Colorado and has a mandatory court appearance, there are three options to consider when answering the charges brought against the defendant.

• If the defendant chooses to plead guilty to the charge, he/she must notify the court of his/her intention and request a waiver and guilty plea by mail. 
• After the judge reviews the summons and police report, waiver and guilty plea documents are prepared and sent to the defendant. 
• The defendant executes the document by signing and returning it to the court with the fine amount that is due by the specified date.
• The fine can be paid over the phone with a credit or debit card.  Please call the central cashier at 970-479-2100 and provide your name or court case number with your card information.

• If the defendant wishes to contest the charge, he/she must schedule a trial date and appear in Vail Municipal Court for trial.

• If the defendant wishes to discuss the matter with the town prosecutor, he/she must enter a “not guilty” plea in writing before the arraignment date. 
• The entry of plea must include a simple statement of “I plead not guilty”, signed, dated and including a current address and phone number.
• Submit a Plea form
  • Entry of Plea and Request for a Pre-trial Conference
    This is a required procedure in order to set the pre-trial conference. When the court receives this plea, the defendant will be contacted and a telephonic pre-trial conference scheduled. A notice will be mailed to the defendant. The defendant must initiate the call at the designated time on a Thursday morning and also be at a phone where he/she can take a call if the prosecutor is with another defendant and needs to return the phone call. The outcome of this conversation will dictate the next court action.
• This is a required procedure in order to set the pre-trial conference. When the court receives this plea, the defendant will be contacted and a telephonic pre-trial conference scheduled. 
• A notice will be mailed to the defendant. The defendant must initiate the call at the designated time on a Thursday morning and also be at a phone where he/she can take a call if the prosecutor is with another defendant and needs to return the phone call.

The outcome of this conversation will dictate the next court action.

Call 970-479-2129 or 970-479-2132 for information to initiate this process.