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1. What do I do if I get a citation for a Green Bay municipal ordinance violation, including traffic citations issued by the Green Bay Police Department?

You may:

• Pay the ticket before the court date as stated on the ticket OR
• Appear in court on the court date and enter your plea of “not guilty”, “guilty” or “no contest” OR
• Write a letter to the court before the court date and enter a plea of “not guilty” at which time you will be sent a notice to appear for a pre-trial conference with the City’s prosecutor. Plea Request Form

What if I don’t do any of the above?

• If you do not take one of the above options, on the day you were to appear in court, you will be defaulted and found guilty as charged.  You will be sent a notice that we have found you guilty and that your fine will be due and payable by a certain date.

2. What if I don’t pay my fine by the due date?

Failure to pay your fine by the due date will result in one or more of the following actions being taken:

• A warrant will be issued for your arrest, your driver’s license will be suspended, referral to a collection agency, and/or interception of your State tax refund.
• If you cannot pay your fine by the due date and to avoid any of the above actions being taken, you may request an extension of time by coming to court in person and making a minimum $50.00 payment or submit a written request with your payment for additional time to pay. Extension for Payments Form

3. It says “no mandatory appearance” on my ticket. What does that mean?

That means you do NOT have to physically come to court to enter your plea.  You may enter your plea in person on the date assigned to you on your citation or you can submit a letter to the Court prior to your court date with your plea of “Guilty”, “Not Guilty” or “No Contest”. (Plea Request Form). If you don’t appear on your date and time and the court has not received a “Not Guilty” plea from you, you will be found guilty and a fine will be imposed.  You will be sent a notice indicating what date your fine is due.  If you plea “Not Guilty” by letter prior to your court date, the court will send you a notice with your next required appearance date (pre-trial conference).

4. How do I get a public defender?

There are no public defenders available in Municipal Court because it is not a criminal court.  However, you may hire a private attorney, at your expense, to represent you in any Municipal Court case.

5. Do I need to hire an attorney for my municipal case?

No.  You may represent yourself (this is called “pro se”), but you must follow all the rules and procedures of court in the same way an attorney would.  If you decide to act pro se, please understand that the court staff and the prosecutor can help with some procedural issues, but will be unable to give you any legal advice.  The city attorney or prosecutor cannot give you any advice.  You may consult with a private attorney if you wish.  If you are seeking advice and are not sure where to look, the Wisconsin State Bar has a telephone service that can help you decide.  Call:  (800)362-9082.

6. What does the city prosecutor do?

The city prosecutor is a full-time employee of the city who is an attorney licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.  The prosecutor evaluates evidence, drafts legal documents, negotiates with defendants or their attorneys and represents the city at trial.  The prosecutor handles about 3,000 cases a year in Municipal Court.

7. I cannot attend my court date. Can I reschedule?

For your initial appearance, you may appear any day court is in session before your initial appearance, providing the Court has the case from the Police Department.  For pre-trials, you may request a new date by submitting a written request,(Plea Request Form), received by the court prior to your scheduled court date, and you must provide a reason as to why you cannot attend.  If you do not receive a new date from the court, you must appear at the date and time as scheduled.  Please note that conflicts with work, school, vacations and child care are generally not reasons to reschedule.

8. I am the victim of someone charged in Municipal Court. How do I get restitution?

Municipal Court does not order restitution for the victims of damages or theft.  You may file a claim in Small Claims Court.

9. How can I contact Municipal Court?

Municipal Court offices are located at 330 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, and are open from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday and Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.  The phone number is 920-448-3131 or by email gbcourt@greenbaywi.gov.  Court is held every morning, Monday through Friday.