The Gypsum Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the Town of Gypsum Government. If you are charged with a violation of the Town Ordinances, this is the Court in which your case will be heard. It is the place where you will have the opportunity to defend yourself against an allegation that you have violated an Ordinance of the Town of Gypsum. 

In every case, there is a presumption of law that you are innocent of the charge(s) until competent evidence proves otherwise, or you enter a plea of “guilty”, which is your admission of guilt. 

If you are charged with a violation, you have the following rights: 

1. You may remain silent. You need not make any statement, and any statement you make can and may be used against you.
2. You will be fully informed of the charge(s) against you.
3. You may be represented by an attorney of your choice.
4. You may plead “guilty”, “not guilty”, or “no contest” / “nolo contendre” to the offense with which you are charged.
5. You are entitled to a reasonable continuance of your case for good cause.
6. You may call witnesses on your behalf and have subpoenas issued by the Court without expense to you in order to compel the attendance of witnesses.
7. You are entitled to a list of witnesses for the prosecution prior to the time of trial.
8. You may cross-examine witnesses who testify against you.
9. You may testify on your behalf, as you desire.
10. You may appeal this Court’s decision to a Court of higher jurisdiction.

The following applies if/when a defendant would like a continuance for his/her court date.

1. A defendant must contact the Court for a continuance at least seven (7) days in advance of his/her scheduled court date.
2. Requests for continuances may be made by using the continuance webform at townofgypsum.com, by phone at 970-524-7514, or in person at the Town Clerk’s Office at 50 Lundgren Boulevard in Gypsum, Colorado. 
3. As always, there shall be leeway for flexibility and exceptions to the required time frames based upon special circumstances. An individual may be asked to provide documentation as to the reason for the continuance request, verifiable by the Court, to support his/her claim for extenuating circumstances for not submitting a request within the required time frame. 

When you plead “guilty”, it is the same as saying “I did violate the law as charged in the complaint against me”, in which case, a hearing will be held by the Court during which time you will be given the opportunity to state any factors or extenuating circumstances concerning the offenses(s) to which you have admitted guilt. 

When you plead “not guilty”, you are entitled to a formal trial by the Court to establish the facts and you will be given a date and time for trial. When your case comes to trial, the burden of proof rests with the prosecution and the charge to be sustained by the Court must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  

When you plead “no contest” or “nolo contendre”, it means that you neither admit nor deny the charge, but you are not contesting it. A person who pleads no contest can be given the same sentence as if that person had entered a plea of “guilty”. 

Your criminal justice records may be sealable. For more information, see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-72-701, et. seq., or consult a Colorado licensed attorney. If you are or were a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, additional resources may also be available. Please inform the Court of Active Duty or Veteran status. 

I understand my rights and acknowledge that I am under no physical or mental impediment that impairs my ability to understand my rights. I also understand in addition to any penalty that may be set by the court disposition of the case, the Court may also impose costs to cover the costs of the proceedings. 

By typing my name below I am verifying that I have read and understood the above Advisement of Rights. I am also confirming I have completed this form accurately and truthfully.