Phillips County Court Process
Complete guide to arraignment, court dates, plea options, and what to expect during your case in Phillips County.
Court Information
Court Process Timeline
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
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
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
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 Phillips County AttorneysThe Phillips County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is headquartered at 221 S. Interocean Avenue in Holyoke. The office is led by Sheriff Michael Beard and Undersheriff Magana.
DWI Court Procedures in Phillips County, Colorado
This guide outlines the procedures involved in Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases specifically within Phillips County, Colorado. Understanding these local processes is crucial for navigating the legal system effectively. Phillips County is part of the 13th Judicial District.
Law Enforcement
The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Colorado State Patrol (CSP), and municipal police departments in Holyoke and Haxtun handle DWI enforcement. CSP troopers primarily patrol U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 385 and often possess advanced DUI detection training. Municipal arrests are processed through the PCSO due to the lack of municipal detention facilities.
Detention Logistics
Phillips County does not have a long-term detention facility. Arrestees are processed at the jail located at 221 S. Interocean Avenue in Holyoke, but are then transferred to the Logan County Jail in Sterling. This requires searching the Logan County Inmate Roster to locate a Phillips County arrestee. Bond, if not posted immediately in Holyoke, must be posted in Logan County. The Logan County Jail offers video visitation and on-site hours. Inmates use the Logan County phone system, and accounts must be funded through JailATM.
Bond Hearings: The "No Bond" Rule
A significant change in the 13th Judicial District is the implementation of Chief Judge Order 2024-1, which rescinds bond schedules for DUI, DUI per se, and UDD (Underage Drinking and Driving) offenses. Defendants arrested for these charges are held without bond pending an individualized bond hearing. These hearings are held on Sundays at 7:00 a.m.. A follow-up docket is available on Mondays at 7:00 a.m. Weekend hearings are conducted district-wide, likely via video (Webex) from the Logan County Jail. The public can view these hearings via a livestream link provided by the Colorado Judicial Branch.
Phillips Combined Court
The Phillips Combined Court is located on the 2nd Floor of the Courthouse at 221 S. Interocean Avenue. Kathy Browning is the Clerk of Court and Jury Commissioner. The court operates Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm. The court is closed for lunch from 11:30am-12:30pm. All court appearances are generally in person unless otherwise ordered.
Key Judicial Figures
Key judicial figures in the 13th Judicial District include:
- Chief Judge Carl S. McGuire III (Division B)
- Judge Stevie M.G. Gagliano (Division A)
- Judge Robert C. James (Division D)
- Judge Dina M. Christiansen
- Judge Kimbra L. Killin
- Magistrate Matthew W. E. Bradley
Administrative License Revocation (DMV)
Refusing a chemical test results in a mandatory license revocation. A test result of 0.08 BAC or higher also triggers a revocation. The officer serves the defendant with an Express Consent Affidavit and Notice of Revocation (the "Yellow Sheet") upon arrest.
The clerk’s office can be reached at (970) 762-7010 or via email at phillipsclerksoffice@judicial.state.co.us.
Sources
Colorado Penal Code
Phillips County District Court
Colorado Court System
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