Municipal Court is held during the day in Wauwatosa. Your citation lists the date and time you are scheduled to appear. You only need to attend Municipal Court if you want to contest your citation or discuss your citation with the City Attorney.
Before appearing before the Judge, meet with the City Attorney. Many cases are resolved through an agreement with the City Attorney.
The City Attorney may recommend a forfeiture amount, which the Judge can accept, reject, or modify. The City Attorney may also agree to a reduction in points. The Judge does not consider point reductions.
Shortly after the Municipal Court Judge arrives, the Judge will explain to everyone in the courtroom how matters will proceed that day. Please wait for your name to be called to appear before the Judge.
After your case is completed, check out with the Court Clerk. The Clerk will provide you with payment information. If you need an excuse for work or school, request one from the Court Clerk.
When You Arrive
Municipal Court is located in Wauwatosa’s City Hall (7725 W North Avenue). There is free parking behind the building. The court is located on the second floor in the Common Council Chambers.
When you arrive, please sign in on the sheet and wait for your name to be called.
Initial Appearance Before the Judge
- When the judge calls your name, come to the podium.
- You’ll be asked to enter a plea. Most people plead “guilty” or “no contest” if they reach an agreement with the City Attorney.
- If you plead “not guilty,” the case will be set for a trial or pre-trial conference.
Your Rights
You can:
- Ask procedural questions before your plea
- Ask that your case be set for another date
- Consult your own attorney at your own expense
- Have a right to a trial before the Judge if you cannot reach an agreement with the City Attorney
- Appeal to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (for citations that go to trial)
Plea Options: No Contest, Guilty, Not Guilty
No contest means that you are not going to fight the citation and will permit the Court to enter a finding of guilty. This finding cannot be used against you in a civil case.
Guilty means that you admit guilt that you committed the citation. The court will review facts of your case, find you guilty, and give an appropriate consequence. This might be fines, community service hours, online classes, or points off of your driver’s license. However, driver’s license points are set by state law and not the judge.
A not guilty plea means that you will be contesting the forfeiture. The matter will be set for a pre-trial conference with the City Attorney and then scheduled for trial.