2009 Wisconsin Act 402

(a) The defendant is served with a citation or a summons and complaint as provided under s. 801.11 (1) (a) to (c), (5), and (6).

(b) The defendant is arrested and brought before the court personally or through interactive video and audio transmission conducted in accordance with the rules of the supreme court.

(c) The defendant voluntarily appears before the court.

(d) The court finds that the defendant has acknowledged receipt of the citation or summons and complaint.

(e) The summons and complaint or citation are sent to the defendant by 1st class mail.

402,51 Section 51. 800.01 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

800.01 (2m) The law enforcement officer or municipal employee who serves the summons shall indicate the method of service on the copy of the documents filed or transmitted to the court.

402,52 Section 52. 800.02 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

800.02 (1) Action. An action in municipal court for violation of a municipal ordinance, or violation of a resolution or bylaw if the resolution or bylaw is authorized by statute, is a civil action, and the forfeiture or penalty imposed by any ordinance of the municipality may be collected in an action in the name of the municipality.

402,53 Section 53. 800.02 (2) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

800.02 (2) (title) Form of citation or complaint.

402,54 Section 54. 800.02 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (a) and amended to read:

800.02 (2) (a) The citation or complaint shall be signed by a peace officer or endorsed by a municipal law enforcement officer, attorney representing the municipality, or, if applicable, signed by a conservation warden. In addition, the governing body of a municipality authorized to adopt the use of citations may designate by ordinance or resolution other municipal officials who may sign and issue citations with respect to ordinances which are directly related to the official responsibilities of the officials. Officials granted the authority to sign and issue citations may delegate, with the approval of the governing body, the authority to employees. Authority delegated to an official or employee may be revoked only in the same manner by which it is conferred.

(ag) The citation or complaint shall contain substantially the following information:

402,55 Section 55. 800.02 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 1.

402,56 Section 56. 800.02 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 2.

402,57 Section 57. 800.02 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 3. and amended to read:

800.02 (2) (ag) 3. The violation alleged, the time and place of the occurrence of the violation, a statement that the defendant committed the violation, the ordinance, resolution or bylaw violated, and a designation description of the violation in language which that can be readily understood.

402,58 Section 58. 800.02 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 4. and amended to read:

800.02 (2) (ag) 4. A notice to appear at a date, time and place for the court appearance, and a notice to appear statement as to whether the appearance is mandated by the judge.

402,59 Section 59. 800.02 (2) (a) 5. and 6. of the statutes are renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 5. and 6.

402,60 Section 60. 800.02 (2) (a) 7. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 7. and amended to read:

800.02 (2) (ag) 7. Notice that the defendant may by mail, in writing, prior to the court appearance, enter a plea of not guilty and may within 10 days after entry of the plea request a jury trial.

402,61 Section 61. 800.02 (2) (a) 8. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 8.

402,62 Section 62. 800.02 (2) (a) 8m. of the statutes is repealed.

402,63 Section 63. 800.02 (2) (a) 9. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 9.

402,64 Section 64. 800.02 (2) (a) 10. of the statutes is renumbered 800.02 (2) (ag) 10.

402,65 Section 65. 800.02 (2) (ag) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

800.02 (2) (ag) 1m. The identification of any permit issued to the defendant, or license number of the defendant, if applicable.

402,66 Section 66. 800.02 (2) (ag) 9m. of the statutes is created to read:

800.02 (2) (ag) 9m. In an action against a corporation organized under ch. 180 or 181, or against a limited liability company organized under ch. 183, a statement of the corporate or company existence and whether the corporation or company is a domestic or foreign corporation or limited liability company.

402,67 Section 67. 800.02 (2) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

800.02 (2) (am) In 1st class cities, all of the written information required under par. (a), except the information under par. (a) (ag) 1. to 4. , 9m., and 10., shall be printed in Spanish on a separate sheet attached to the citation or provided in Spanish on the citation.

402,68 Section 68. 800.02 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

800.02 (2) (b) Except for parking violations, in traffic regulation actions in municipal court, the uniform traffic citation specified in s. 345.11 shall be used in lieu of the citation form specified in par. (a) (ag). In actions for violations of local ordinances enacted in accordance with s. 23.33 (11) (am) or 30.77, the citation form specified in s. 23.54 shall be used in lieu of the citation form specified in par. (a) (ag).

402,69 Section 69. 800.02 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

402,70 Section 70. 800.025 of the statutes is amended to read:

800.025 Amended citation and complaint. A citation or complaint under s. 800.02 may be amended once as a matter of course by the municipality prior to the initial appearance of the defendant. A copy of the amended citation or complaint shall be served personally on the defendant or sent to the defendant by 1st class mail. Otherwise, the citation or complaint may be amended only by leave of the court or by written consent of the defendant, upon notice and an opportunity to be heard, at the discretion of the court. At trial, the court may amend a citation or complaint to conform to the evidence. If the court amends the citation or complaint to conform to the evidence, the court shall allow both parties an opportunity to present evidence with respect to the amended citation or complaint.

402,71 Section 71. 800.03 of the statutes is repealed.

402,72 Section 72. 800.035 of the statutes is created to read:

800.035 Initial appearance. (1) A defendant may make an initial appearance in person or by submitting a written response to the citation or complaint except when the judge has required an appearance under s. 800.02 (2) (ag) 4.

(2) If a defendant appears in person, all of the following shall occur:

(a) The court shall, either orally or in writing, do all of the following:

1. Inform the defendant of each charge and explain the range of penalties for each charge.

2. Inform the defendant that he or she may plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest or may request a continuance.

3. Inform the defendant of the right to a jury trial on charges filed under an ordinance in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5).

4. Inform the defendant that if he or she is unable to pay the forfeiture, costs, fees, or surcharges due to poverty, he or she may request an installment payment, community service, or a stay of the judgment.

(b) The defendant shall enter a plea or request a continuance.

(c) If the defendant refuses to enter a plea or request a continuance, the court shall enter a plea of not guilty on the defendant's behalf.

(d) If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, the court may find the defendant guilty of the offense to which the plea is entered and render judgment as provided under s. 800.09, and then determine if the defendant is unable to pay the judgment because of poverty, as that term is used in s. 814.29 (1) (d).

(e) If the defendant pleads not guilty and a trial is not held immediately, the court shall schedule the case for a pretrial conference under s. 800.045, further proceedings, or trial, at the discretion of the court.

(3) If the defendant submits a written response to the citation or complaint and enters a plea of guilty or no contest, the court shall proceed under sub. (2) (d).

(4) If the defendant submits a written response to the citation or complaint and enters a plea of not guilty, the court shall proceed under sub. (2) (e).

(5) (a) If a defendant is charged with a violation of an ordinance in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5), the municipality may, by ordinance, require the defendant to appear in person before the court.

(b) If a person fails to make a required personal appearance under this subsection and the judge issues an arrest warrant, the law enforcement agency that filed or transmitted the uniform traffic citation shall file a detailed description of the warrant with the department of justice.

(6) In all cases, a defendant may enter a plea of no contest and provide a deposit at any time before the initial appearance.

402,73 Section 73. 800.037 of the statutes is created to read:

800.037 Deposit amount and schedule. The deposit in traffic cases shall be made as provided in s. 345.26. In boating cases, the deposit shall be made as provided in s. 23.66 and 23.67. The municipal court, with the approval of the governing body of the municipality, shall set the deposit schedule for all other cases. The deposit amount in the schedule may not exceed the maximum penalty established by the municipality for the offense, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814.

402,74 Section 74. 800.04 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

402,75 Section 75. 800.04 (1) (a) to (c) of the statutes are repealed.

402,76 Section 76. 800.04 (1) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 800.035 (5) (c) and amended to read:

800.035 (5) (c) If a defendant charged with a violation of an ordinance which that is in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5) pleads not guilty and within 10 days after entry of the plea requests a jury trial and pays the required fees, the municipal judge shall promptly transmit all papers and fees in the cause to the clerk of the circuit court of the county where the violation occurred for a jury trial under s. 345.43. The plea of not guilty and request for jury trial may be made by mail in writing. If the person refused to take a test under s. 343.305 (3) and requested a hearing under s. 343.305 (9) to determine if the person's refusal was proper, the papers and fees involved in that action shall be transferred to the same circuit court, which shall conduct the refusal hearing. The amount of deposit set out in the citation shall accompany the mailed request. Upon receipt of the request, the circuit court shall set a time for trial. Any deposit made personally or by mail in writing is forfeited upon nonappearance at the time set for trial. The required fee for a jury is prescribed in s. 814.61 (4).

402,77 Section 77. 800.04 (1) (e) of the statutes is repealed.

402,78 Section 78. 800.04 (1) (f) of the statutes is repealed.

402,79 Section 79. 800.04 (2) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 800.035 (7) (a).

402,80 Section 80. 800.04 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 800.035 (7) (b) and amended to read:

800.035 (7) (b) If the municipal judge determines that the defendant should not be released under par. (a) and the defendant is charged with a traffic or boating violation, the municipal judge shall release the defendant on a deposit in the amount established by the uniform deposit schedule under s. 345.26 (2) (a) or under s. 23.66. For other violations, the municipal judge shall establish a deposit in an amount not to exceed the maximum penalty for the offense, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814 for the violation. If the judge in a 1st class city determines that a defendant appearing before the judge through interactive video and audio transmission should not be released under par. (a), the judge shall inform the defendant that he or she has the right to appear personally before a judge for a determination, not prejudiced by the first appearance, as to whether he or she should be released without a deposit. On failure of the defendant to make a deposit under this paragraph, he or she may be committed to jail pending trial, for not more than 48 hours, only if the judge finds that there is a reasonable basis to believe the person will not appear in court.

402,81 Section 81. 800.04 (2) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 800.035 (8) and amended to read:

800.035 (8) If the defendant has made a deposit under par. (b) or s. 800.03 and does not appear, but has made a deposit in the amount set for the violation, he or she is deemed to have tendered a plea of no contest and submits to a forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, not exceeding the amount of the deposit. The court may impose any other penalties allowed by law. The court may either accept the plea of no contest and enter judgment accordingly, or reject the plea and issue a summons. If the court finds that the violation meets the conditions in s. 800.093 (1), the court may summon the alleged violator into court to determine if restitution shall be ordered under s. 800.093. If the defendant fails to appear in response to the summons, the court shall may issue a warrant under s. 968.09. If the defendant has made a deposit but does appear, the court shall allow the defendant to withdraw the plea of no contest.

402,82 Section 82. 800.04 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 800.035 (9) and amended to read:

800.035 (9) If a defendant does not appear at the initial appearance and has not made a deposit in the amount set for the violation, upon proof of jurisdiction under s. 800.01 (2), the court may issue a warrant to bring the defendant before the court. Upon proof of personal service of the summons or citation under s. 800.01 (1), or upon proof of service of the summons or citation under s. 801.11 (1) (b), the court may either enter a default judgment by reason of the failure of a defendant to respond to a citation under s. 800.02 (2) (a) or a summons under s. 800.02 (4) under s. 800.09 or issue a warrant or summons to bring the defendant before the court. If a warrant is issued for a defendant under this subsection, the defendant may be detained in jail, for not more than 48 hours, prior to the initial appearance.

402,83 Section 83. 800.04 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

402,84 Section 84. 800.04 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

402,85 Section 85. 800.04 (5) of the statutes is repealed.

402,86 Section 86. 800.045 of the statutes is created to read:

800.045 Pretrial conferences. (1) The municipal judge may schedule a pretrial conference. Upon agreement of the parties, the parties may waive a pretrial conference.

(2) If the defendant does not appear at the pretrial conference, the court may proceed under s. 800.035 (8) or (9).

(3) If the parties reach an agreement, the agreement shall be submitted to the court for the court's approval. If an agreement is not reached, or if the court does not approve an agreement, the court shall schedule the action for further proceedings.

402,87 Section 87. 800.05 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

800.05 (title) Substitution or disqualification of municipal judge.

402,88 Section 88. 800.05 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

800.05 (1) In cases specified in s. 800.02 (1), a person charged with a violation A defendant may file a written request for a substitution of a new judge for the municipal judge assigned to the trial of that case. The written request shall be filed not later than 7 days after the initial appearance in person or by an attorney. The municipal judge against whom a request has been filed may set initial bail and accept a plea of not guilty.

402,89 Section 89. 800.05 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

402,90 Section 90. 800.05 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

800.05 (3) In municipal court, upon Upon receipt of the written request under sub. (1), the original judge shall have no further jurisdiction in the case except as provided in sub. (1) and except to determine if the request was made timely and in proper form. If Upon such a determination, or if no determination is made within 7 days, the court shall refer transfer the matter to the chief judge of the judicial administrative district for the determination and reassignment of the action as necessary. If the request is determined to be proper, the case shall be transferred as provided in s. 751.03 (2). Upon transfer, the municipal judge shall immediately transmit to the appropriate court all the papers records in the action and the action shall proceed as if it had been commenced in that court. Upon receipt of the records, the new judge shall specify the court's location in which the case will be heard. In all such cases, the parties shall remain the same, the prosecutor of the transferring court shall be responsible for prosecution in the new court, and the judgment, if any, shall be payable to the transferring court.

402,91 Section 91. 800.05 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 800.05 (4) (b).

402,92 Section 92. 800.05 (4) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

800.05 (4) (a) If a new judge is assigned to the trial of the action, and the defendant has not exercised the right to substitute an assigned judge, a written request for the substitution of the new judge may be filed within 7 days after the giving of actual notice or sending of the notice of assignment to the defendant or the defendant's attorney. If the notice occurs within 48 hours of the trial, or if there has been no notification, the defendant may make an oral or written request for substitution prior to the commencement of the proceedings.

402,93 Section 93. 800.05 (5) of the statutes is created to read: