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- Motion to Reopen
- Not Guilty Plea
- Penalties for Failure to Pay
- FAQ's
Appeal Rights and Procedures
Both you and the City have the right to appeal the decision of the Court. An appeal would be heard by the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
If you are found guilty by a trial and want to appeal the decision of the Greenfield Municipal Court, you must submit a written notice of appeal and the appeal fee to the Greenfield Municipal Court within twenty (20) days of the date the Judge found you guilty. If the appeal and correct appeal fee is received timely, your case will be sent to circuit court.
You may ask for either of the following appeal procedures:
- Trial de Novo - This will be an entirely new trial held in the Circuit Court. If you want this new trial to be a “jury trial” you must pay the appropriate fee with your appeal (Fee Schedule listed below).
- On the Record - Your case including a “transcript” of the original trial will be sent to the Circuit Court. A Circuit Court Judge will review the “transcript” and make a decision. You will pay an additional $10.00 fee for the “transcript” at the time of appeal, but if you lose the appeal, you will be responsible for the cost of preparing the “transcript” (Fee Schedule listed below)
Appeal Fee Schedule
Transcript Review - $129.50 payable to the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Courts and $10.00 payable to the Greenfield Municipal Court.
New Trial with Circuit Court Judge (no Jury) - $144.50 payable to the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Courts.
New Trial with 6-person Jury - $180.50 payable to the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Courts.
Please pay all appeal fees with cash, check or money order. The appeal fees will be sent to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court along with the appeal.
To file an appeal:
Court Sessions:
- Adult Sessions: 1st, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (may be subject to change)
- Adult sessions are in-person
Appearance Required: Yes
- You must appear on your scheduled court date, or
- Enter a plea of not guilty
Appearance Required: No
- If you do not wish to contest the citation, you may pay the forfeiture indicated on your citation. The court will enter a plea of no contest and you will be found guilty of the violation.
- If you do wish to contest the citation, you may appear on your scheduled court date to speak with the city prosecutor or the judge. You will enter a plea at this time.
Cases are handled on a first come, first serve basis.
Court Session
- Juvenile Session: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m.
- Juvenile Sessions are in-person
Appearance Required: Yes
- You must appear on your scheduled court date with a parent and/ or guardian
- If the parent/ guardian does not appear with the juvenile on the scheduled court date, the judge will order a subpoena for the parent to appear.
- If the parent/ guardian does not appear when subpoenaed, the judge has the authority to issue a Contempt of Court citation to the parent/ guardian.
Motion to Reopen
If you fail to appear for your scheduled court date and still wish to contest the citation, you may file a motion to reopen.
Not Guilty Plea
Not Guilty pleas entered prior to your court date by mail or in person, should be entered the Friday prior to the court date listed on the citation.
Once a not guilty plea is entered with the court a pre-trial conference will be scheduled with the city prosecutor. If you still wish to plead not guilty after speaking with the city prosecutor a trial date will be scheduled for a later date.
Failure to pay penalties - Traffic Violations
- 1 year suspension of the driver’s license.
- Bench warrant
- Commitment to the House of Corrections.
- Debt referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Tax Intercept Program.
- Debt referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) State Debt Collection.
Failure to pay penalties - Municipal Ordinance Violations
- Bench warrant.
- Commitment to the House of Corrections.
- Debt referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Tax Intercept Program.
- Debt referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) State Debt Collection.
Failure to pay penalties - Juvenile Violations
- Up to 1 year suspension of the driver’s license.
- Debt referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Tax Intercept Program.
Failure to pay penalties - Parking Citations
- Indefinite suspension of vehicle registration.
- Debt referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Tax Intercept Program.
- Debt referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) State Debt Collection.
How do I see the City Prosecutor?
- The city prosecutor is only available on your assigned court date. Sign in begins approximately 30 minutes prior to the scheduled court time at the municipal court window. Individuals are seen on a first come first serve basis, with exceptions. Please note the city prosecutor does not see all cases. Court staff will direct your case properly to either the judge or the city prosecutor.
How do I reschedule my court date?
- You may reschedule your court date one time. This can be done by phone or in person at the municipal court window during regular business hours. Please call at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled court date. Your court date will not be rescheduled until you speak with court staff.
I missed my scheduled court date, how do I reschedule?
- If you failed to appear for your scheduled court date, you will need to file a Motion to Reopen.
Will I be assigned an Attorney or Public Defender?
- No. Municipal Court does not provide attorneys or public defenders. If you would like legal representation, you will need to retain an attorney.
What if I am indigent?
- Please call the municipal court office during regular business hours to schedule a poverty hearing with the judge.
Contact Us
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Greenfield Municipal Court
5300 W. Layton Avenue
Greenfield, WI 53220
Phone: (414) 761-5366
Fax: (414) 761-5360
Business HoursMonday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.