Court Trial

All Trials, except non-traffic juvenile cases, are open to the public.  You have the right to retain your own attorney and to subpoena witnesses.  You will be convicted only if the evidence is clear, satisfactory, and convincing that you committed the violation with which you have been charged. All witnesses must testify 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 allowed to testify and may be subject to cross-examination by the Prosecutor. 

The Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence will be followed.

After all the evidence has been presented, the prosecution and the defense will each be allowed to summarize, by brief argument, their respective cases to the Court. Thereafter, the Court will decide, based upon testimony, the evidence, and the law, whether to find you guilty or not guilty.

If the court finds you not guilty, you will be discharged and the citation against you will be dismissed. If you are found guilty, the extent of the penalty is dependent upon the circumstances surrounding the violation and your record.

Appeals

Either party has the right to appeal a municipal court decision to the Washington/Ozaukee County Circuit Court. A plea of no contest, guilty, or a default judgment may not be appealed.

If you decided to appeal, you must do so by filing a written Notice of Appeal with the Municipal Court within twenty (20) days of the date of your conviction, judgment, or decision, and at the same time, you must also provide written notice to the Town/Village/City Prosecutor.

Written information on appeals is provided after the hearing.