Prowers County Jail Criminal Court Process

Last updated by Mark Miclette

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Prowers County

Criminal Court Process for Prowers County Colorado

Prowers County and Lamar: How a Criminal Case Works

Colorado splits its trial courts into two main levels. County Court takes the smaller stuff: misdemeanors, petty offenses, traffic tickets, and the opening steps of felony cases. District Court takes felonies, which are the serious crimes, plus juvenile cases. In Prowers County both courts share one building, the Prowers County Combined Court, 301 S. Main, Suite 300, Lamar, CO 81052. The phone is (719) 336-7424.

Prowers belongs to the 15th Judicial District, a group of four plains counties: Prowers, Baca, Cheyenne and Kiowa. Colorado has 23 judicial districts in total since the 23rd (Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln) broke away from the 18th in January 2025. The 15th District's voters choose a single District Attorney to prosecute state crimes in all four counties. If you break a city rule in Lamar, Holly or Wiley, such as a local noise or animal law, that ticket may go to the town’s own municipal court instead, where the city attorney is the prosecutor. Lamar Municipal Court is at 102 E. Parmenter St., (719) 336-1355; Holly Town Hall is at 100 Tony Garcia Drive, (719) 537-6622; Wiley Town Hall answers at (719) 829-4974. The 15th District Attorney’s office is at 110 E. Oak St., Lamar, (719) 336-7446.

Looking up a case for free: Colorado’s court system does not offer a free website where you can read full case files. Free options: check court dates on the statewide docket search, use the online record request form, or call the Lamar clerk. Paid vendor sites are listed in the state’s public records guide.

Federal court: A few Prowers cases end up in federal court instead, meaning Colorado's federal trial court, at the Alfred A. Arraj U.S. Courthouse, 901 19th Street, Denver (branch courtrooms operate in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Durango). Lamar thefts and DUIs break Colorado statutes; a federal case involves an act of Congress or U.S. government property. Near Lamar, that could mean an offense at the Amache National Historic Site by Granada, hauling drugs across state lines on Highway 50 or 287, bank robbery, or mail fraud. Bases like Fort Carson are far off in El Paso County, and Colorado’s two reservations sit in the southwest corner, not here. Pick a topic below.

Misdemeanors and petty offenses: shoplifting, a first DUI, harassment, trespassing

A misdemeanor is a crime less serious than a felony. A Lamar officer, deputy or trooper can hand over a summons, a paper saying when to show up at court. Anyone booked into the Prowers County jail must see a judge without unnecessary delay, with bond reviewed within 48 hours of reaching the jail. Bond means the rules, and sometimes the money, that let you go home while the case is open. Colorado law forbids cash bond in Lamar for petty offenses and for the traffic and minor misdemeanor charges the statute names.

The first court date is the arraignment. At that Lamar hearing the charge is read aloud and you answer “guilty” or “not guilty.” Since 2022, the top punishment for a class 1 misdemeanor is 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. For a class 2 misdemeanor, the ceiling drops to 120 days and $750. Petty offenses sit below that, at up to 10 days and $300. Shoplifting is graded by value: under $300 is a petty offense, while $1,000 to $2,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor. Drug crimes have their own scale, DM1 and DM2. A first DUI is also a misdemeanor.

If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can ask the court for one. The Colorado State Public Defender’s La Junta office, 402 Santa Fe Ave., Suite 105, La Junta, (719) 384-5448, covers Prowers County; a Lamar judge looks at income to decide eligibility. If La Junta has a conflict, the state's Office of Alternate Defense Counsel assigns outside counsel. A misdemeanor trial in County Court uses a jury of six people. Lamar misdemeanors can close by plea, by probation, or by a deferred judgment that vanishes once every condition is met.

Under 18: A Prowers teen's misdemeanor case belongs to the District Court's juvenile side, away from adult court. The District Attorney can offer diversion first. The young person does service, classes or an apology letter, and the charge is never filed or gets dropped. Some city-rule and traffic cases involving teens can be heard in a town’s municipal court. A detained Prowers youth is owed a hearing within 48 hours, with weekends and holidays excluded.

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Felonies: burglary, bigger thefts, selling drugs, a fourth DUI

State prison is on the table only when a Prowers charge is a felony. In Prowers County, the person first gets an advisement, a short hearing where the judge explains the charges and their rights and sets bond. The District Attorney then formally files the case in District Court. Higher-class felonies, or any felony with the accused still jailed in Lamar, allow the defense to request a preliminary hearing. The Lamar judge then rules on whether the evidence justifies a trial track. Prowers judges must hold it no later than 35 days after the defense asks. Rarely, a grand jury of citizens reviews evidence in private and decides on charges.

Colorado sorts felonies into classes 1 through 6. Here are the presumptive prison ranges: class 2 is 8 to 24 years, class 3 is 4 to 12, class 4 is 2 to 6, class 5 is 1 to 3, and class 6 is 1 year to 18 months. Drug felonies have four levels of their own, DF1 to DF4. Some examples: theft of $2,000 to $5,000 is a class 6 felony. Breaking into a home is charged as second-degree burglary, a class 3 felony. DUI number four is charged as a class 4 felony. Judges can pick probation or community corrections instead of prison.

After someone pleads not guilty, Colorado law says the trial should start within six months, unless the defense asks for more time. A Lamar felony jury seats 12, and the verdict must be unanimous. A share of cases end with a plea bargain, trading a guilty plea for a lighter charge or sentence.

Under 18: Prowers teens charged with felonies remain in the behavior-focused juvenile court unless moved. Detained Prowers teens go to the state Division of Youth Services’ Pueblo Youth Services Center. Moving a Prowers youth to adult court takes a transfer hearing before a juvenile judge. Transfer covers youths 12 and up, with 12- and 13-year-olds eligible only for class 1 or 2 felonies or crimes of violence.

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Violent crimes: murder, sexual assault, robbery with a weapon

First-degree murder is a class 1 felony. Colorado got rid of the death penalty on July 1, 2020, so today the punishment is life in prison without parole. Listed violent felonies carry the crime of violence label under C.R.S. 18-1.3-406. That label forces the judge to give prison, and the sentence has to be at least the middle of the presumptive range and can go up to twice the top. For example, aggravated robbery, which is robbery while armed with a weapon, can bring 10 to 32 years.

A Prowers sexual assault conviction can bring an indeterminate sentence: a minimum number of years, then prison until the parole board finds release safe, which could be never. Bond in these Lamar cases runs high and comes with no-contact orders.

Colorado's constitution (Article II, Section 16a) and its Victims' Rights Act let Prowers crime victims learn hearing dates, attend, and address the judge at sentencing. The 15th District Attorney’s victim-witness staff keep them updated.

Under 18: A 16- or 17-year-old can be charged straight in adult District Court, called a direct file, but only for a class 1 or 2 felony or certain violent sexual assaults (and a few repeat-offender situations). The young person can then ask the judge to send the case back to juvenile court. Youth sentenced as adults in Colorado cannot get life without parole, and a judge may use the Youthful Offender System, a prison program built for young people, instead of regular adult prison.

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Prowers County courts, prosecutor and sheriff

Lamar-area criminal cases move through:

  • Prowers County Combined Court: 301 S. Main Street, Suite 300, Lamar, CO 81052; 719-336-7424
  • Lamar Municipal Court: 102 E. Parmenter Street; 719-336-1355
  • Holly: Town Hall, 100 Tony Garcia Drive; 719-537-6622
  • Wiley: Town Hall; 719-829-4974
  • District Attorney: 110 E. Oak Street, Lamar; 719-336-7446
  • Public Defender: 402 Santa Fe Avenue, Suite 105, La Junta; 719-384-5448
  • Sheriff and jail: 103 E. Oak Street; 719-336-8050
  • Youth detention: Pueblo Youth Services Center

Bond payment is explained on our Prowers County bail page; the statute is Colorado bail law, C.R.S. Title 16, Article 4 (https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-16.pdf).

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Prowers County bond rules

  • A Lamar arrestee gets a bond order within 48 hours of jail intake.
  • The 15th District's posted orders show no bond schedule, so ask the jail for the exact figure.
  • Cash bond is barred for Prowers petty and traffic counts.
  • HB25-1015 allows online credit card payment of Prowers cash bond.
  • Amendment I (2024) lets a Lamar judge refuse bail in first-degree murder on evident proof.

Colorado's bond forms are collected at Colorado Judicial Branch guide to bond types (https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/types-bonds).

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Federal cases from Prowers County

The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado hears Prowers County federal charges:

  • Courthouse: the federal courthouse in Colorado Springs, 212 North Wahsatch Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, 719-471-3387
  • Nearest branch: 212 N. Wahsatch Avenue, Colorado Springs
  • U.S. Marshals: U.S. Marshals Service, Colorado Springs office, 719-633-2037 (district headquarters in Denver: 303-728-7800)

A magistrate judge sets detention for Lamar federal defendants, and the Marshals take custody.

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Finding someone in a Prowers County case

Our Prowers County inmate page lists more searches.

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ICE detainers in Prowers County

C.R.S. 24-76.6-102 (https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-24.pdf) keeps the East Oak Street jail from holding a person on a lone civil ICE detainer.

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Prowers County dockets and warrants

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Lamar readers: treat this as a broad overview, not advice on your own case. Hire a defense attorney or contact the public defender’s La Junta office at (719) 384-5448.

Call the court at 719-336-7424 and the sheriff at 719-336-8050 to confirm before paying or driving to Lamar.

Criminal Court Process for Prowers County Colorado

Prowers County Colorado Criminal Court System - Definitions

It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Colorado Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Prowers County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when Colorado, Prowers County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Prowers County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the Prowers County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested has the opportunity to “bail or bond out” before being detained.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Colorado, Prowers County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Prowers County or the district is called the District Attorney.  A U.S. Attorney or Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.   

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

Arraignment is when a judge determines whether or not the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.

Bail is money paid that is held by the Prowers County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment. Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Prowers County Jail until their trial.  Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.

A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. Jailors, law enforcement and prosecutors do not have authority to set bail, a judge or court officer in the {county extended} or municipal court sets bail. Judges in Colorado rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

(There have been phone scams to where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the money if the defendant does not show up to court. If the defendant does not show, the full amount will be due and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible to pay the court.  Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance.  

Cash percentage in lieu of bonds.  If the bond order permits, the defendant pays a percentage of the amount, (sometimes up to 100%) to the court, which then holds the money until the case is over. The amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed, or it can be used toward paying any court fines incurred by the defendant.

Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10–15%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in Colorado, {county extended}. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Colorado.

A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).  Usually, the property must be in Prowers County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.

An Unsecured Bond is when the defendant is released without paying bail upfront, but they must pay the full amount if they do not appear in court.

A Secured Bond is when the defendant pays a portion of the bail up front. If they show to court, they would get the money back and if they don’t show up to court, would have to pay the entire bail amount.

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases.  In Colorado, the state rather than local courts fund indigent defense and have a network of public defenders who handle the majority of the cases.

For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. . The attached links have a list of pro bono organizations in Colorado. Here and here.

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.  Here is a link for legal self-help in Colorado.

A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are located in the community.  A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There is one U.S. federal district courts in Colorado, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

Colorado Felony vs Misdemeanor

In Colorado, a misdemeanor is punishable by fine or jail time of up to 18 months or both. The person is put into a county jail and not a state prison. There are 3 main classes of misdemeanors, Class 1 being the most serious and Class 3 being the least serious and there are also Unclassified misdemeanors which carry their own fines and sentencing range.

Misdemeanors are further broken down into traffic misdemeanors, as in T1 or T2 traffic offenses and regular misdemeanors, M1, M2 and M3. Examples of misdemeanors are DUI and DWAI depending on priors, careless driving, some domestic violence, forgery, indecent exposure, obstructing a police officer, theft less than $2000, resisting arrest, prostitution and underage drinking.  

DM1 and DM2 are two classes of drug misdemeanors where the maximum possible punishment is 18 months.  

A felony crime in Colorado is divided into 6 different classes which are general guidelines and are based on the crime, prior criminal history and other factors. Class 1 is the most serious felony and Class 6 the least serious with a minimum of 18 months jail time. Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, kidnapping, identity theft and four or more DUI/DWAI.  

Colorado also has 4 types of drug felonies with prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 32 years in prison.

It is important to note that depending on severity, crimes can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. For instance, DUI or DWAI may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on how many prior convictions one has. There is misdemeanor child abuse and felony child abuse, misdemeanor domestic violence and felony domestic violence. Often, tickets are written by law enforcement for alleged crimes, but once the district attorney reviews the elements of the offense, adjustments are made to the level of what is actually charged. 

The Prowers County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Prowers County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, have to pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

Colorado Criminal Court System - How it Works

In Colorado, criminal cases are handled in the county courts, district courts and appeals are heard in the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.

Municipal courts, also named city courts handle cases that pertain to violations of city laws or lesser crimes that occur within the city limits.  Examples of cases seen in municipal courts include animal control issues, traffic tickets and disturbing the peace.

County courts handle misdemeanors and more serious traffic cases. The county court can also process felony cases that will be prosecuted in district court.

District courts handle misdemeanor trials that are referred from the municipal and county courts and prosecute felony cases that originated in the county court or in the district court.  

There is a juvenile division within the district courts for offenders under the age of 18. Here is a link to the Colorado juvenile justice and prevention site.

Specialty courts or problem-solving courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. The state of Colorado has the following problem-solving courts: Adult Drug Courts, Juvenile Drug Courts, DUI Courts, Adult and Juvenile Mental Health Courts, Family and Dependency/Neglect Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts.  The following is a link to Colorado’s problem-solving court system.

The Colorado Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Colorado State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.  

The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Colorado state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There is one U.S. Federal Judicial District in Colorado.

Courts

PROWERS COUNTY COMBINED CRTHS
301 S MAIN ST # 300
LAMAR CO, 81052
719-336-7424

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Prowers County

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.