FAQ

When is Municipal Court held?

Initial appearances for adult cases in Municipal Court are generally held on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.  Please be sure to reference your citation for specific date and time.

Where is Municipal Court held?

Municipal Courtroom/Council Chambers are located on the first floor of the Municipal Services Building at 144 W 2nd St, Kaukauna.

When are trials held?

Municipal Court trials are also held on Tuesdays at 1:00, 2:00, 2:30 or 3:00 p.m.  You will receive correspondence directly from the Court regarding the specific date and time of your trial.

What if I am unable to attend my scheduled court date?

Please contact the Municipal Court Clerk at least two days prior to your initial appearance at 920.766.6378 and notify them of your situation.  If the court is not notified that you will not be attending, you will be found guilty by default. If you are unable to appear at a pre-trial conference, please contact the City Attorney’s office at 920.766.6318.

Who do I call if I need an attorney?

Indigent defendants are not entitled to a public defender in Municipal Court. You are responsible to secure and pay for any legal representation. The Wisconsin State Bar maintains a searchable page to find an attorney at Home (wisbar.org).

*The City Attorney is not a public defender. The City Attorney prosecutes on behalf of the City.

Do I have to appear for my initial court date?

If your citation is marked “Yes” for mandatory appearance YOU MUST APPEAR at the specified time on your citation.  This information is located next to the court date and time.

If your citation is marked “No” for appearances, you DO NOT have to appear, but you then MUST PAY the forfeiture prior to your initial appearance court date.   Payment can be made by phone, mail, or stopping into the Municipal Services Building.  If you fail to notify the Court of your plea by the specified court date, a no-contest/guilty by default judgment will be entered in against you and you will be required to pay the imposed forfeiture.

Can I enter a plea of “NOT GUILTY” prior to my court date?

Yes, you can. The court must receive a written plea at least two days prior to your initial appearance date.  The letter must include: date of letter, citation number(s), plea, name, address, phone number, and signature.  Once the court has received your plea of ‘NOT GUILTY’, your case will be referred to the City Attorney for a pretrial conference.  You will receive correspondence from the City Attorney’s office regarding the steps to take once you’ve entered your plea.

How can I pay my forfeiture?

• You may make payment by dropping a check in an envelope in the payment box outside the main entrance of the Municipal Services Building at 144 W 2^nd St, Kaukauna, WI 54130.
• You may mail check or money order to Kaukauna Municipal Court, 144 W 2^nd St, Kaukauna, WI 54130. Please include your name and citation number when making payment.  DO NOT SEND CASH.  Make check payable to City of Kaukauna Municipal Court.
• To pay by credit card, call the City Clerk’s office at 920-766-6300 or visit https://kaukauna.gov/pay-online/ and select Court citation/Fine and follow the prompts.

What happens if I do not pay?

If you do not pay your financial obligation to the Court, notification may be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to place a suspension on your driving privileges or a warrant may be issued for your arrest.  Your taxes may also be intercepted.  You may also be turned over  to the Wisconsin Debt Collection program.

Do I have to report a change of address?

Yes.  If you have any pending cases with Kaukauna Municipal Court, it is your responsibility to keep your address current with the Court and the Department of Transportation.  If you fail to provide the Court with the appropriate contact information, you may not receive proper notification regarding your case in the future.  This will result in a default judgment entered against you. Contact the Court through the Clerk of Courts at 920-766-6378.

How may I reopen a case?

To request a case be re-opened, you must put a formal request in writing to the City of Kaukauna Municipal Court. There must be a valid reason to reopen the case.

If the Judge grants your request, you will be scheduled for an upcoming hearing. Please be aware that the Court may assess a fee to reopen the case.

The judge may deny your request.  If the Judge does not grant the request to re-open, you will still owe the forfeiture(s) for the violation(s).

Re-opening a case does not guarantee the outcome will be any different than the original finding/points assessed.

Do convictions of Kaukauna Municipal Court end up on Wisconsin Circuit Court Access ?

Kaukauna Municipal Court is not a court of record, therefore records of court proceedings do not end up on Wisconsin Circuit Court Access.