Alamosa County Court Process

Complete guide to arraignment, court dates, plea options, and what to expect during your case in Alamosa County.

Court Information

Court Process Timeline

1

Arraignment

First court appearance, typically within 24-48 hours after arrest.

What Happens:

  • Judge reads charges against you
  • You enter initial plea (usually Not Guilty)
  • Bail is set or reviewed
  • Next court date is scheduled
  • Public defender appointed if needed
2

Pre-Trial Hearings

Multiple court dates over 2-6 months where your attorney negotiates with prosecutors.

Attorney Activities:

  • Review police reports and evidence
  • File motions to suppress evidence
  • Challenge breathalyzer/blood test results
  • Negotiate plea bargains
  • Discuss diversion program eligibility
3

Plea Bargain or Trial

Most cases (over 90%) resolve through plea bargaining, not trial.

Plea Bargain Benefits

  • • Reduced charges
  • • Lighter sentence
  • • Certainty of outcome
  • • Lower costs

Trial Risks

  • • Maximum sentence if convicted
  • • Higher legal fees
  • • Uncertainty
  • • Time consuming
4

Sentencing

Judge determines penalties based on the plea agreement or trial verdict. Sentences may include fines, probation, jail time, license suspension, IID, SCRAM monitoring, and/or DUI classes.

Don't Face This Alone

A attorney can make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, between jail time and probation. They know local judges, prosecutors, and can challenge evidence that you might not even know is challengeable.

Find Alamosa County Attorneys

Upon a DUI arrest in Alamosa, the vehicle is seized, often resulting in a non-consensual tow because the driver is incapacitated by arrest and the vehicle cannot be left on a public roadway. In Alamosa, a "rotation list" is used for these tows, meaning the defendant doesn't get to choose the tow company unless they aren't under arrest and can articulate a preference that doesn't cause delay.

Retrieving Your Vehicle

A significant challenge is figuring out which company towed the vehicle. Contacting the arresting agency’s dispatch or records division is the primary solution. Keep in mind that the vehicle may be subject to a "Law Enforcement Hold," particularly in cases involving accidents, injuries, or felony charges. If a hold is in place, the tow yard cannot release the vehicle without a written release from the arresting agency’s Evidence or Records Division. Never go to the tow yard without the specific "Tow Release" paper from the Sheriff's Office or APD.

Alamosa County Jail

If you are arrested for DUI in Alamosa County, you may be taken to the Alamosa County Jail. The jail is located within the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office. The jail's address is 1315 17th Street, Alamosa, Colorado 81101, and the general information number is 719-589-6608.

Bail Bonds

If bail is set, there are several bail bondsmen who service Alamosa County. These include Bail City Bail Bonds and Angels Outlaws Bail Bonds.

Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

For many defendants in Alamosa, an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is mandatory, especially for refusals or BAC levels of 0.15 or higher. Backroads LLC (1825 State Ave #15) appears to be the primary installer for multiple brands, including Smart Start, with a rating of 4.7/5. Thunder Motor Co (7302 Rodeo Lane) installs Intoxalock. The extreme cold of the San Luis Valley can significantly impact IID performance. IIDs draw power from the car battery to keep the sensor warm, and in very cold weather, this can kill a standard car battery overnight. A dead battery means no start, and jump-starting can sometimes cause a power spike that the device records as a "tamper." Consider investing in a high-quality battery tender to prevent voltage drops.

The "Refusal" Gambit

In Alamosa, refusing the test guarantees a 1-year revocation (with 2 months no driving, then interlock). Taking the test and failing usually allows for immediate interlock driving.

Always ensure your address is current with the DMV.

Alamosa County Jail: 1315 17th Street, Alamosa, Colorado 81101.

Sources

Colorado Penal Code

Alamosa County District Court

Colorado Court System

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