Summons and Complaint

[nomeansno]

What is the name of your state? Colorado

Recently a family member was served a summons to court, the summons states that she is being charged with harassment. The Summons was dated the 5th, but not delivered until the 6th... it is now the 8th and we still have not been allowed to see the complaint that was filed against her. The Sheriff's office says they can not let her see the complaint until the Sgt. has had time to review it.

I can't believe they can file these charges before the Sgt. reviewed the complaint. And it really seems a little odd that these charges were filed without advising her of the nature of the charges.

Don't they have to give her a copy of the complaint tht the charges are based on??? How long after the summons is served do they have until they are required to give her a copy of the complaint. It is a bit difficult to plan a course of action when you are not even sure who has filed the complaint let alone what they claim the acts of harassment were.

 

[nomeansno]

I thought it might need to be added, no we don't know for sure who filed the complaint but we suspect that it is the man who has raped several local girls. He was arrested on the 5th on unrelated charges and the woman the complaint was filed against was present at the time. She did not do anything or speak to him, but we have heard through the grapevine that he has claimed she was flipping him off while he was being taken away in handcuffs. Both officers present say they saw nothing, but that he insisted that she had made obscene finger gestures towards him.

Until we see the complaint we can't be sure... so all we really wanted to know is how long can they keep her from seeing the complaint?

 

[magic55]

I would simply advise you to contact lawyer.

 

[CdwJava]

In addition to contacting an attorney, the individual named on the summons should NOT miss the court appearance. I am not familiar with CO law in this regard, but it is likely that the hearing will be an arraignment and the defendant or his or her attorney shall be given a copy of the complaint at that time.

- Carl