MUNICIPAL COURT

This page is designed to provide information if you have received a citation. None of the following applies if you have a case that requires a mandatory court appearance. Please be sure that you have the proper court. In the upper left corner of your citation is the court section, make sure the address is 425 Collins Rd. Jefferson, WI.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Must I appear in court on the date set forth on my citation?

You may avoid appearing in court by sending the deposit amount prior to your court date. If the deposit is posted and you do not appear in court, you will be found guilty, and the deposited money posted will be forfeited.

If you wish to plead not guilty, you may do this by mail or by email, without appearing in court on the date set forth on your citation. Mail the plea to the address on your citation or email your plea. Include the charge, the date you were scheduled to appear, the ticket number, your current mailing address and phone number. This must be received by the date on the citation. A court date for a pretrial conference will be mailed to you. You will have to appear at the pretrial conference or a default judgment will be taken.

If you do not post the deposit amount on your citation and you also fail to appear in court, a judgment will be entered against you for the amount of the citation. You will be allowed 60 days to pay. If you do not pay within 60 days either a warrant will be issued for your arrest,  your drivers license will be suspended for as much as 2 years, or your debt will be certified thru the Department of Revenue until the debt is paid in full.                           To Pay Online by Credit Card click HERE.

• What will happen if I appear in court on the day on my citation?

The date on your citation is the date of your initial appearance. An initial appearance is your opportunity to enter a plea to the charge. You may plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty. The initial appearance is not the trial date. If you plead guilty or no contest the court will find you guilty and the matter will be resolved at the initial appearance. There is no guarantee that your ticket will be reduced. Your ticket may already be written for the minimum forfeiture and points.

If you plead not guilty, your case will be scheduled for a pretrial conference at a later date.

• If I don't want to fight the ticket, can I simply get time to pay?

Yes. If you do not appear in court, the court will enter a judgment against you for the amount of the citation. You will then be allowed 60 days to pay. If you do not pay within 60 days either a warrant will be issued for your arrest,  your license will be suspended for as much as 2 years, or your debt will be certified with the Department of Revenue until it has been paid in full.  To Pay Online by Credit Card Click HERE.

• I wish to plead not guilty, how do I do that and what will happen in court?

You may plead not guilty either by appearing in court on the date on your citation, or by entering a not guilty plea in writing by mail or email prior to the court date. Mail the written plea of not guilty to the address on the citation or email the Court Clerk by clicking (EMAIL) be sure to include the charge, the date you were scheduled to appear, the ticket number, your current mailing address and phone number. This must be received by the date on your citation. 

After you plead not guilty, the case will be scheduled for a pretrial conference. You must attend the pretrial conference. After the pretrial conference, if you do not come to an agreement with the City Attorney, the case will be set for trial.

If you have been charged with operating while under the influence of an intoxicant, you have the right to a jury trial.  If you want to reserve this right to a jury trial, you must make a written demand for a jury trial and post the total forfeiture on your citation along with jury fees within 10 days following the date of your initial appearance.

• What about points?

If you are found guilty of a traffic violation, your driving record may be charged with demerit points. The court will not determine the number of points assessed against your record. The court will merely report the conviction to the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Division will assess the number of points against your driving record, depending upon the charge. If you accumulate 12 points against your driving record within a one-year period by date of violations, your license will be suspended or revoked by the Division of Motor Vehicles. The following is a guide:

Speeding-10 or less MPH over, 3 points, 11-19 MPH over, 4 points, 20 or more MPH over 6 points.

Common 3 point violations: Arterial or traffic control violation, driving wrong way on one way street, failing to dim headlights, failing to give proper signal, following to closely, passing illegally, improper brakes or lights, operating with expired or without any license, prohibited or illegal turn and violation of restriction.

Common 4 point violations: Deviating from a traffic lane, driving on the wrong side of street, failing to yield right of way, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, imprudent driving, too fast for conditions, failing to have vehicle under control, inattentive driving and passing a school bus with red lights flashing.

If you have a probationary license, points are doubled each conviction after your first.

• Listed below are some phone numbers or websites to help you in checking on your license status:

1. DMV Customer Assistance (608)266-2261
2. Website to check if eligible for reinstatement  click HERE.
3. DOT Website click HERE.