Municipal Trial Information

The Right to Trial


Under Kansas law, you can be brought to trial only after a complaint or traffic citation has been filed. The complaint or citation is a document which alleges what you are supposed to have done, and that your actions were unlawful. You have a right to inspect this complaint before the trial, and have it read to you at the time of trial.
  1. Trial
  2. Verdict & Appeals
  3. Fines & Diversion
  4. Attorneys

Trial


In Municipal Court, you do not have the right to have your case tried before a jury. You do have the right to hear all testimony introduced against you. You have a right to testify on your own behalf. You also have a constitutional right not to testify. If you choose not to testify, your refusal cannot and will not be used against you in determining your guilt or innocence. However, if you do choose to testify, the prosecutor will have the right to cross examine you.

You may call witnesses to testify on your own behalf. You also have the right to have the court issue subpoenas for witnesses to ensure their appearance at trial. However, you must furnish the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of these witnesses to the Court, at least ten working days before your trial date, so that the witnesses may be located and subpoenas served. The Court will only serve subpoenas within the City; any service outside of the City will be your responsibility.


The City will present its case first by calling witnesses to testify against you. After each prosecution witness has finished his/her testimony you will have the right to cross-examine him/her. Your examination must be in the form of questions and you will not argue with the witness. Do not attempt to tell your side of the story at this time. You will have an opportunity to do so later in the trial.

After the prosecution has presented its case, you may present your case. You have the right to call any witness who knows anything about the incident, and to introduce exhibits such as photographs and diagrams.