Municipal Court

Jurisdiction (Source: GJMC Sec. 22-2)
The Grand Junction Municipal Court has jurisdiction over petty offenses and misdemeanors, including but not limited to theft less than $300, occurring in the city, certain Zoning Code violations, Municipal Code violations, and certain traffic offenses and parking violations occurring within the city limits, and all other cases arising under the Charter, the Code of Ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations of the City.

To view the Grand Junction Zoning Code or the Grand Junction Municipal Code, you can perform a search in ISYS.

Powers and procedures (Source: GJMC Sec. 22-2 and 22-3)
The Municipal Court has authority to assess and collect penalties, punish violators, abate nuisances, enforce orders of the Court by remedial or punitive contempt, and to otherwise effect the responsibilities prescribed by ordinance, Charter, resolution, regulation or court rule.

The Municipal Court also has jurisdiction and powers of an administrative hearing officer where so provided by the ordinances or resolutions of the City.

The Municipal Court also has the power to issue warrants.

Court Sessions
The Grand Junction Municipal Court is located at 250 North 5th Street on the main floor. The court is in session on Tuesdays, with arraignment dockets at 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and a trial docket at 3:00; and on Thursdays, with arraignment dockets at 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and a trial docket at 10:00 a.m. An arraignment docket is held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. for Minor in Possession of Alcohol/Marijuana.

Citations/Summons to Appear
If you have received a citation to appear in Municipal Court and have questions, you may contact the Municipal Court at 970-244-1537. You must appear on the date and time appearing on your summons, and/or at the date(s) and time(s) subsequently directed by the judge or court clerk.

If you have an active case in Municipal Court, you must immediately make the clerk aware of any changes in your address or telephone number, until such time as your active case is dismissed or completely resolved.

Plea Agreements
If you are interested in a plea agreement, you must first be advised of your rights and arraigned in Court. Once arraigned, you may make an appointment for a pre-trial conference with the City’s prosecuting attorney, Shelly Dackonish, through the court clerk. Pre-trial conferences are held in Municipal Court on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 - 4:00.

If you are represented by counsel, your attorney can advise you and arraignment can be waived in writing. If you are represented by counsel, the prosecuting attorney may not communicate with you except through your attorney. Please do not contact the prosecuting attorney directly if you have retained an attorney to represent you in your municipal court matter.

Appeals from Municipal Court
If you have been convicted in Municipal Court, you may appeal the Court’s decision by completing a form and posting an appeal bond. Municipal court cases are appealed to County Court. If you are taking an appeal from conviction of a traffic or parking violation, your appeal will consist of a new trial. In order to appeal a non-traffic conviction, the Municipal court must have made an error recognized by law.

Restitution for Victims
If you are the victim of an offense over which Municipal Court has jurisdiction, you may be entitled to restitution from the defendant(s) convicted of the violation(s) which resulted in damage or injury to your person or property. Please contact the court clerk at 970-244-1537 or the prosecuting attorney at 970-244-1503 with restitution inquiries or requests. Victim Impact Statements are required; these are available from the Municipal Court.