FAQs • Waunakee, WI • CivicEngage

What will happen if I don't appear at my Initial Court Appearance?: The court will enter a no contest plea and find you guilty. A default letter will be mailed to your last known address with a due date and another court appearance for a Good Cause Hearing. You will need to appear at this hearing only if you do not have the total forfeiture paid for your citation(s) to avoid further penalties.

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Municipal Court

1. What will happen if I don't appear at my Initial Court Appearance?: The court will enter a no contest plea and find you guilty. A default letter will be mailed to your last known address with a due date and another court appearance for a Good Cause Hearing. You will need to appear at this hearing only if you do not have the total forfeiture paid for your citation(s) to avoid further penalties.

2. Can I plead not guilty prior to my Initial Court Appearance?: Yes. All requests need to be made in writing (signed and dated) and in the courts possession at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled Initial Court Appearance; otherwise you will need to appear in court in front of the Judge to make your plea of not guilty.

3. What if I need an extension to pay my forfeiture owed to the Waunakee Municipal Court?: If you appeared for your Initial Court Appearance, you were given a future court date to appear for a Good Cause Hearing, you need to appear at that date to ask for an extension.

If you missed your Initial Court Appearance, you were mailed a default letter with a future court date to appear for a Good Cause Hearing, you need to appear at that date to ask for an extension.

4. How can I get into contact with the Village Attorney?: Please contact the Court Clerk at (608) 849-4573 or at jsorenson@waunakee.com and she will assit you.

5. What if I need an extension to complete a court ordered alcohol or drug assessment, community service hours, or Alive @ 25 Program?: Please call the Waunakee Municipal Court at (608) 849-4573 and speak with the court clerk and she will discuss a one-time only extension with you. Length of time for your extension will be determined after your discussion.

6. I received a letter stating that my citation(s) have been turned over to a collection agency, what do I do now?: Please call HE Stark Collection Agency at (608) 274-7764 and they will be able to help you.

7. I received a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles stating my driver's license is suspended for 1-year for failure to pay a forfeiture, what do I need to do to get my license back?: You will need to pay your forfeiture in full and the court clerk will lift the 1-year driver's license suspension. This will take 24-48 hours once payment is received for the Department of Motor Vehicles to lift the suspension off your record. At that time you can go and reinstate your driver's license with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Please note this must be done and there are fees for this as well. Your driver's license will not be valid with the Department of Motor Vehicles until you reinstate with them.