Municipal Court FAQ

If you fail to appear for a mandatory initial appearance, the judge has the option to issue a bench warrant for your immediate arrest for appearance at court or issue a warrant for your arrest for commitment to the county jail.

The initial appearance session of the court is primarily for the purpose of entering your plea to the alleged violation of the law.

When your name is called, come forward promptly to the podium, facing the judge. The charge against you will be read and the judge will request that you enter your plea of guilty, no contest or not guilty.

Note: If this is your first scheduled appearance date, you have the right to request a continuance.  The continuance can be used to consult with an attorney.

If you enter a plea of no contest, you are neither pleading guilty nor not guilty, but merely want to have the matter resolved and pay the penalty. The effect of this plea is that you will be found guilty but will not be admitting your civil liability for use in other litigation, which should be expected where personal injury or property damage is involved.

If you cannot pay in full at the court session, the judge may grant you a reasonable length of time to pay your forfeiture. The judge may request your input regarding your ability to pay within a set number of days or it may be that a monthly payment plan is ordered until the forfeiture is paid in full. You will also be instructed that if you fail to pay within that time period agreed upon, the court will set an alternative penalty of imprisonment in jail or suspension of your driving privileges (license.)

If you entered a plea of not guilty, you will be scheduled for a mandatory meeting to discuss a possible settlement with the prosecutor for the Village of Baldwin. The judge does not participate in the pre-trial hearing nor does he/she have to accept any negotiated or amended charges.

You have the right to retain your own attorney and to subpoena witnesses. You are presumed innocent and will be convicted only if evidence is clear, convincing and satisfactory that you committed the violation with which you have been charged. All witnesses must testify in person and under oath.

The prosecution will produce its witnesses to testify as to the facts and circumstances surrounding your alleged violation. You or your lawyer will be permitted to cross-examine each witness that testifies. When the prosecution has completed its case, you and your witnesses will be given the opportunity to testify and you will be cross-examined by the prosecution.

The Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence will be followed.

After all the evidence has been presented, the prosecution and the defense will be given an opportunity to summarize, by brief argument, their respective case to the court. The court will decide whether to find you guilty or not guilty based on 1) the evidence 2) the testimony and 3) the law.

If the court sends you notice requiring your appearance at an indigency/good cause hearing, you will appear before the judge to show cause that you are unable to pay the forfeiture for good cause or because of your indigence.

Complete the Municipal Court Indigency Evaluation Form and bring it, along with supporting documentation, to your scheduled court session. 

You do not need to appear if your forfeiture is paid in full by the date of the hearing.

The court has jurisdiction over persons between the ages of twelve (12) and eighteen (18) charged with non-traffic ordinance violations. Juveniles have the same rights as adults with respect to pleas.

It is required that a parent or legal guardian accompany the juvenile to all hearings. Juveniles have the right to a closed hearing but may waive this right.

The court has discretion over any persons wishing to remain in the court room for the proceedings. Victims of a juvenile act have the right to be present for all hearings.

A monetary judgment may be entered against a juvenile if found guilty.

A warrant is a written order, issued by the court, directing the arrest of the defendant.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has been granted authority to act as the collection agency for debts owed to state, county and local government agencies.  If you do not pay the forfeiture and fines for your citation, the Baldwin Municipal Court may forward your debt for collection, including delinquent collection fees.