Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do when I receive a citation?

Each citation tells you the nature of the violation charged against you. You must answer the charge by entering a plea.

Your court date is shown on the citation.

If your citation was marked Mandatory Appearance, you must appear in person at the date and time written on your citation at the Municipal Court, 1315 North 23rd Street, Suite 102, Sheboygan. This is your initial appearance and you will make a plea. Based on your plea of Guilty, No Contest or Not Guilty, the Court will direct you what to do next.

What will happen if I do not appear on my court date for Non-Mandatory Appearances?

If your citation was marked Non-Mandatory Appearance, you must pay your fine or enter a plea within 3 business days prior to your court date. If you fail to pay or enter a plea and also fail to appear in court on your scheduled court date, the judge will enter a default judgment against you. A default judgment is a finding of guilt and a sentence ordered by the court in your absence. Depending on the nature of the charges, the judge may also order a driver’s license suspension or revocation in addition to any forfeiture.

What are the different pleas I may enter?

You may plead that you are GUILTY, NOT GUILTY or NO CONTEST to the charge against you.

What does a plea of GUILTY mean?

If you plead GUILTY, you admit you committed the violation. The judge will set the fine and tell you when it is due. If you cannot pay the fine immediately, you may ask the judge for more time to pay.

What does a plea of NO CONTEST mean?

If you plead NO CONTEST, you declare you are neither guilty nor not guilty. You merely want to get the matter over with and pay the fine. As a result of this plea, you will be found GUILTY but this finding cannot be used against you as an admission of guilt if you appear in any other court action related to the charge against you.

What does a plea of NOT GUILTY mean?

If you plead NOT GUILTY, you deny committing the violation charged against you. The court will give you a new date to appear for a Pretrial Conference. If you need to change the pretrial date later on, you must call the phone number on your pretrial form and ask for a different date. At your Pretrial Conference, you will meet with the City or Village Attorney, to discuss the case. If an agreement can be reached between you and the City or Village, the judge will review the agreement and decide whether to approve it. If you cannot reach an agreement you will be given a trial date on the case.

Can I reschedule my Initial Appearance date?

You may reschedule your Initial Appearance Court date one time as long as you call prior to your Court date to reschedule.

I missed my Court date. Can I get my case reopened?

To get a matter reopened, you must come to the Municipal Court Office to fill out a Request to Reopen form. A reopening fee up to $50 may be charged.

What will happen if I fail to pay a forfeiture on time?

The failure to pay a forfeiture or comply with a court order will result in serious consequences. Depending upon the nature of the charges, a failure to comply with a court order may result in a driver’s license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, interception of your tax refund, or an arrest warrant resulting in a commitment to jail. If you are unable to comply with a court order you must contact the Municipal Court Office before the due date to request a modification of the order. If you need a payment extension, payment plan or fall under poverty guidelines set forth in Wisconsin State Statutes 814.29(1)(d) you must schedule a Poverty Hearing with the Municipal Court before your due date.

What should I do if I can’t pay my payment plan by the due date?

If your circumstances change and you are unable to comply with your payment plan, you must notify the Court by contacting the Municipal Clerk at 920-459-0212 Monday through Friday, 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. or 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. prior to your payment plan due date. You will be required to schedule a Poverty Hearing. If you fail to attend the hearing, your driver’s license and vehicle registration may be suspended, your tax refund will be intercepted and a Writ of Commitment will issue for your arrest.

What do I do if my payment falls due on a weekend or holiday?

You may pay the next business day when the Municipal Court office reopens.

I didn’t pay my fines and now my Driver’s License is suspended. What can I do?

If this is the only suspension/revocation on your driving record, you must first pay your fine to the Court. Once paid, we will give you paperwork to take to the Department of Transportation. You will pay them a reinstatement fee in order to have your privilege to drive reinstated.

Do I need an attorney to represent me?

No, you may or may not hire an attorney to represent you. An attorney will not be appointed to represent you by the court because matters do not involve criminal charges.