When your case is called you will be asked to step forward. You will be asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest. We will be handling the cases which intend to plead not guilty first. If you enter a plea of not guilty, our village prosecutor is present at the majority of our hearings and is available for pre-trial conferences. If you do not reach a settlement, the court clerk will schedule a trial date at which time both you and the Village of Little Chute will be able to present any witnesses or other evidence relating to your case (additional fees may be assessed).

The remaining cases will then be called individually. When your name is called, please come forward. You will be asked to enter your plea. If you plead guilty or no contest I will find you guilty, review the facts of the case, and impose the appropriate penalty. A plea of no contest is similar to a guilty plea, however a conviction arising from a no contest plea can’t be used against you in a civil action.

Those of you who are facing traffic offenses should understand that you will accumulate demerit points upon conviction of most such offenses. If you accumulate 12 or more demerit points in any one-year period you will lose your license to drive in Wisconsin for a certain period of time.

If a forfeiture is imposed, be prepared to pay the full amount on the date of the hearing. If you fail to pay your forfeiture within 60 days, your driver’s license will be suspended for a period up to two (2) years. In the case of non-traffic ordinance violations, the court may order confinement in the Outagamie County Jail in the event of non-payment.

Those of you charged with operating under the influence are entitled to request a jury trial in Outagamie County Circuit Court upon payment of the proper fees. All other cases will be handled in this court with the right to appeal my ruling to the circuit court level.

One additional point I do not have prior knowledge of cases coming before me. All differences are resolved within the framework of Wisconsin state statutes and Little Chute Village ordinances.