MUNICIPAL COURT PROCEEDINGS 

The court has exclusive jurisdiction and provides a neutral forum for hearing adult and juvenile ordinance and civil traffic cases. The court does not hear criminal cases and defendants are not entitled to a free lawyer. The court's decorum and procedure are dictated by State Statutes, State Supreme Court Rules, and a Code of Judicial Conduct.   

All cases are decided by a judge (court trial). Except in the case of operating while intoxicated/ prohibited alcohol concentration charges. In these cases you have the right to a jury trial. To secure this right a written demand and the posting of a non-refundable jury fee prior to or at the initial appearance is required. Contact the Municipal Court Clerk for further instruction.

Juvenile cases are confidential, except traffic violations. A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST APPEAR IN COURT WITH THEIR CHILD, AGES 12 to 17.

CAN I JUST PAY THE CITATION?          

(plea of guilty or no contest)

If the front of the citation does not indicate a "mandatory appearance" is required, you may enter a plea of "guilty" or "no contest", either in person, during the initial appearance, or by paying the forfeiture in advance. If accepted by the judge, the court may find guilt, impose sentence, and declare all deposit posted forfeited. 

PAYMENT TYPE: 

CHECK OR MONEY ORDER are payable to NWCJMC and are to be mailed to 50-10 St. Clintonville, WI 54929

CREDIT CARD contact Government Payment Service (GPS)

You must designate PAY LOCATION CODE # 5470.

You are responsible for any fee added by GPS for utilizing this service.

INITIAL APPEARANCE                                                                

The date, time and location specified on the front of the citation is the initial appearance court date. At the initial appearance only a plea may be entered to the charge.  This is not a trial date and the prosecuting attorney will not talk to you about the charge. PLEAS: "GULITY" (admitting to committing the violation), "NOT GUILITY" (denying, in whole or in part, committing the violation) or "NO CONTEST" (not admitting to the violation but allow the court to find guilt. This plea can not be used in any potential civil litigation).  A continuance may be requested before entering a plea. 

MANDATORY COURT APPEARANCE

Regardless of how you intend to plead and regardless of whether or not a deposit is posted, if the front of the citation indicates a "MANDATORY APPEARANCE" or that "APPEARANCE REQUIRED", YOU MUST APPEAR in court on the date, time and in the location specified on the front of the citation, Failure to do so can result in serious consequences.

PLEA OF NOT GUILITY                                                                

To enter a plea of not guilty, to a non-mandatory appearance citation, either appear in court on the date, time and in the location specified on the front of the citation, or submit the not guilty plea in writing. Mail the written plea to the Municipal Court Clerk at the address above. Be sure to include the charge, the date you were scheduled to appear, the name of the police agency that issued the citation, the citation number, your current mailing address and phone number.  This must be received by the initial appearance date listed on the front of the citation. After receipt of your plea, your case will be scheduled for a court trial, at a later date. You will also be notified on how to schedule a pre-trial conference with the prosecuting attorney. An opportunity to meet with the prosecuting attorney can not occur until a "not guilty" plea is entered.

REQUEST TIME TO PAY                                                               

If there is need to request time to pay, a payment extension, payment plan, or are indigent you must do so in court or submit in writing, before the court date. None of these options are available until a plea of "no contest" or "guilty" has been accepted by the court. 

FAILURE TO APPEAR OR PAY THE FORFEITURE

The failure to pay a forfeiture or comply with a court order can result in serious consequences. Depending upon the nature of the charges and whether it is a juvenile case, a failure to comply with a court order could result in a driver's license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, collection action or an arrest warrant resulting in confinement in jail. If you are unable to comply with a court order you must contact the municipal court before the court date or due date.

CORRESPONDANCE WITH THE COURT

All correspondence with the court must include the defendant's name, current address and phone number, the charge, the name of the police department that issued the citation, and the citation or docket number, and submitted to the listing on the top part on the other side of this pamphlet

If you have a disability and need help in court, please contact the Municipal Court Clerk's Office listed on the front of this pamphlet prior to the court date listed on the citation.

Notice: The information contained within this pamphlet is provided as a public service. While the pamphlet is about legal issues, it is not legal advice. Moreover, neither the court nor law enforcement can provide legal advice.  Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law and reliance on outside sources for this information, contact the Municipal Court Clerk to verify the accuracy and reliability of the information contained within this pamphlet.  (Revision 09/30/2007)