We’ll start with Colorado’s most accessible court, Small Claims Court. Then we’ll work up through the Municipal Court system, the County Court system, the District Court system, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and finally, the Colorado Supreme Court. (We will not discuss the Probate Court, Juvenile Court or Water Court.)
Small Claims: Small Claims Court is a division of County Court, and has a monetary limit of $7,500.00. It hears disputes within a given county, and no attorney may represent either the plaintiff or defendant. Individuals argue their own cases, and a judge will hear both sides of a small claim and issue a verdict there and then. In general, Small Claims actions must be brought in the county where the defendant resides, or is employed. The purpose of Small Claims Court is to provide a just, efficient, low cost and speedy resolution to an issue. For the convenience of the public, some Small Claims Courts have evening and weekend hours. A Small Claims verdict may be appealed to the County Court. Examples of small claims issues include money issues, landlord/tenant issues and contract issues.
Municipal: Municipal Court is governed by a city’s municipal code, or that city’s local law. For example a city ordinance may be that all dogs must be on a leash when in public, or that construction may not begin before a certain time in the morning. If you’ve contested a traffic ticket, you were likely in a Municipal Court. Cases of violations of Fish and Game laws, and Boating Regulations are but a few categories where one may find themselves in a Municipal Court.
County Court: Each of the 64 counties in Colorado has a County Court, where the amount in a civil controversy may not exceed $25,000.00. County Courts uphold state law, and both the plaintiff and the defendant may be represented by an attorney. This court includes misdemeanors and traffic violations. Examples may be a third degree assault or an alcohol-related traffic offense. One judge presides over each County Court case, and a jury may hear certain types of cases. Dissatisfied litigants may appeal to District Court.
District Court: District Court hears more serious civil and criminal issues under state law that exceed the monetary limitation of County Court. District Court cases are presided over by a judge and heard by a jury of 6 or 12 members and is considered a court of general jurisdiction. Colorado has 22 judicial districts, and each district may include more than one county. (For example, Colorado’s 13th Judicial District has jurisdiction in 7 counties.)
Court of Appeals: The Court of Appeals is the state intermediate appellate court. Cases in the Court of Appeals are heard by a panel of three judges. The ruling is final unless litigants who are dissatisfied appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court. The appeals court may affirm a lower court’s decision, or remand the case back to the lower court for further action which may be to resolve a point of law or for a new trial altogether.
Supreme Court: litigants who are dissatisfied with a ruling in the Court of Appeals may appeal to the Supreme Court, Colorado’s highest appellate court. The Supreme Court may or may not choose to hear a case. If the Supreme Court decides to hear a case it issues a Writ of Certiorari which orders the lower court to turn over its’ record to the higher court.
If you have suffered injuries as the result of an accident, through no fault of your own, please call Harding & Associates to get a better picture of your rights. We can be reached at 800-878-7888 or 303-762-9500. There is never a charge for an initial consultation with a skilled, experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case and assist in developing a strategy to fight to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
