If you plead guilty, it is an admission that the charges against you are true. Forfeitures/fines will then be set.

A plea of no contest is similar to a plea of guilty, and will be treated the same as a guilty plea. By pleading no contest you will be admitting the charge, but will not be admitting your civil liability if personal injury or property damage is involved.

Where pleas of guilty or no contest are made, a money judgment (forfeiture/fine) is entered against you. You will be given an opportunity to tell the Judge about any mitigating circumstances surrounding the charge.

If you plead not guilty, it means that you feel that the charge against you is not correct. A trial date will then be set. One week prior to your trial, you may try to settle this matter without a trial by calling the Town Attorney. The Town Attorney's telephone number will be given to you in your trial confirmation letter, which is sent out to you approximately 10 to 14 days prior to your trial. Based on a not guilty plea, the Town must prove you are guilty by "clear and convincing evidence." In short, the facts proven by the Town must indicate that it is highly probable that you committed the ordinance violation.

If you wish to change your plea of not guilty and not have a trial, you may do so by paying the forfeiture posted on your citation before your trial. If you wait too long and witnesses have been subpoenaed, there may be witness/service fees added to your forfeiture.