Chapter 345

345.28(5)(c)2. 2. If the person who was contacted under par. (b) 2. and who has deposited his or her operator’s license fails to appear in court at the date specified by the officer under par. (b) 2. a. or set under s. 345.32, 345.34 or 345.36 or at any subsequent court appearance for the nonmoving traffic violation, the person may be deemed to have entered a plea of no contest. The court may accept the plea of no contest, find the defendant guilty and, except as limited by sub. (6), proceed under s. 345.47. If the court enters judgment under s. 345.47 (1), the court shall give notice of the entry of judgment to the defendant by mailing a copy of the judgment to the defendant’s last-known address. The court shall also mail to the defendant’s last-known address a statement setting forth the actions the court may take under s. 345.47 if the judgment is not paid. In lieu of accepting the plea of no contest, the court may issue a warrant commanding that the person be arrested and brought before the court. Unless the case is tried immediately with the person’s consent, any person who is arrested on a warrant issued under this subdivision may be released on his or her own recognizance or on posting bond or may be released without bail and shall be released if the person posts cash bail for his or her appearance. The court may retain the person’s license, but the person’s operating privilege may not be suspended until after judgment is entered under s. 345.47 and the judgment is not paid.

345.28(5)(c)3. 3. A default judgment entered under this paragraph may be reopened as provided under s. 345.51.

345.28(5m) (5m) 

345.28(5m)(a) (a) No notice under sub. (4) (a) 1. may be sent to the department, or if the notice has already been sent the notice shall be canceled, and no further action may be taken against the owner under sub. (4) or (5) or s. 341.10 (7m) or 341.63 (1) (c) if:

345.28(5m)(a)1. 1. The vehicle involved in a nonmoving traffic violation is owned by a person engaged in the business of renting or leasing motor vehicles;

345.28(5m)(a)2. 2. At the time of the violation the vehicle was in the possession of a renter or lessee;

345.28(5m)(a)3. 3. The owner of the vehicle provides the information required under s. 343.46 (3) for such renter or lessee to the authority who issued the citation within 10 days after the 2nd notice was sent to the owner under sub. (4) (c) 1.; and

345.28(5m)(a)4. 4. After being notified by the authority, the renter or lessee identified under subd. 3. pays the forfeiture or appears in court in response to the citation for the nonmoving traffic violation within 30 days after the 2nd notice from the authority is mailed.

345.28(5m)(b) (b) If the renter or lessee does not pay the forfeiture or appear in court in response to the citation for a nonmoving traffic violation, the authority may notify the department under sub. (4) (a) 1. that a citation has been issued to the person and the citation remains unpaid. The action which the authority shall specify that the department take under sub. (4) (a) 2. is limited to refusal of the registration of any vehicle owned by the renter or lessee.

345.28(5m)(c) (c)

345.28(5m)(c)1. 1. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5w) (b), if the renter or lessee does not pay the forfeiture or appear in court in response to the citation for a nonmoving traffic violation within 30 days after the 2nd notice from the authority is mailed to the renter or lessee, the owner shall pay the authority the forfeiture applicable to the nonmoving traffic violation. The authority shall notify the owner in writing of its responsibility for this payment.

345.28(5m)(c)2. 2. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5w) (b), if the owner does not pay the forfeiture applicable to the citation within 30 days after notice under subd. 1. has been mailed to the owner, the authority may send a notice to the department under sub. (4) (a) 1. The action which the authority shall specify that the department take under sub. (4) (a) 2. is limited to suspension of the registration of the vehicle involved in the nonmoving traffic violation.

345.28(5m)(d) (d) The notices to the renter or lessee required under sub. (4) (b) 1. shall be mailed on 2 separate days to the last-known address of the renter or lessee and shall include the information specified in sub. (4) (c) 1. and the name of the owner of the vehicle.

345.28(5r) (5r) 

345.28(5r)(a) (a) No notice under sub. (4) (a) 2. may be sent to the department, or if the notice has already been sent the notice shall be canceled, and no further action may be taken against the owner under sub. (4) or (5) or s. 341.10 (7m) or 341.63 (1) (c) if:

345.28(5r)(a)1. 1. The vehicle to which towing and storage charges apply is owned by a person engaged in the business of renting or leasing motor vehicles;

345.28(5r)(a)2. 2. At the time of its towing and storage the vehicle was in the possession of a renter or lessee;

345.28(5r)(a)3. 3. The owner of the vehicle provides the information required under s. 343.46 (3) for such renter or lessee to the authority who issued the citation within 10 days after the 2nd notice was sent to the owner under sub. (4) (c) 2.; and

345.28(5r)(a)4. 4. After being notified by the authority, the renter or lessee identified under subd. 3. pays the amount of the outstanding towing and storage charges within 30 days after the 2nd notice from the authority is mailed.

345.28(5r)(b) (b) If the renter or lessee does not pay the amount of the outstanding towing and storage charges, the authority may notify the department under sub. (4) (a) 1m. that towing and storage charges remain unpaid. The action which the authority shall specify that the department take under sub. (4) (a) 2. is limited to refusal of the registration of any vehicle owned by the renter or lessee.

345.28(5r)(c) (c)

345.28(5r)(c)1. 1. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5w) (b), if the renter or lessee does not pay the amount of the outstanding towing and storage charges within 30 days after the 2nd notice from the authority is mailed to the renter or lessee, the owner shall pay the authority the amount of the outstanding towing and storage charges. The authority shall notify the owner in writing of its responsibility for this payment.

345.28(5r)(c)2. 2. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5w) (b), if the owner does not pay the amount of the outstanding towing and storage charges within 30 days after notice under subd. 1. has been mailed to the owner, the authority may send a notice to the department under sub. (4) (a) 1m. The action which the authority shall specify that the department take under sub. (4) (a) 2. is limited to suspension of the registration of the vehicle to which the towing and storage charges apply.

345.28(5r)(d) (d) The notices to the renter or lessee required under sub. (4) (b) 2. shall be mailed on 2 separate days to the last-known address of the renter or lessee and shall include the information specified in sub. (4) (c) 2. and the name of the owner of the vehicle.

345.28(5w) (5w) 

345.28(5w)(a) (a) If the owner of a rental or leased vehicle has received written notice under sub. (5m) (c) 1. or (5r) (c) 1. and pays any forfeiture, costs, or towing and storage charges for nonmoving traffic violations under this section that occurred while the renter or lessee was in possession of the vehicle, the rental or leased vehicle owner may, within 30 days after receiving the notice, charge a credit card belonging to the renter or lessee as payment for the forfeiture, costs, and charges for which the renter or lessee is liable as well as charge the renter an administrative fee of not more than $30 for making those payments under this section, if the owner:

345.28(5w)(a)1. 1. Provided a written notice to the renter or lessee, prior to entering into the rental or lease agreement, that if the renter or lessee fails to pay any forfeitures, costs, or towing and storage charges for nonmoving traffic violations incurred while the renter or lessee is in possession of the rental or leased vehicle, the owner may pay those sums and charge the amount paid for such forfeitures, costs, or charges plus an administrative fee of not more than $30 to a credit card belonging to the renter or lessee.

345.28(5w)(a)2. 2. Provides the renter or lessee with a detailed itemization of all amounts charged to the renter’s or lessee’s credit card, within 30 days after charging that credit card, that includes the date that the charge was made and, for each nonmoving traffic violation forfeiture incurred by the renter or lessee that the owner paid, the name of the authority issuing the citation, the citation number, and the date of the citation.

345.28(5w)(b) (b) If the owner of a rental or leased vehicle has received written notice under sub. (5m) (c) 1. or (5r) (c) 1. and is required to pay any forfeiture or towing and storage charges for nonmoving traffic violations under this section that occurred while the renter or lessee was in possession of the vehicle and the renter or lessee did not pay the rental or lease fee with a credit card, or paid with a credit card for which payment of the forfeitures and charges under this section is being declined by the issuer of the credit card, the rental or leased vehicle owner shall pay the authority 50 percent of the amount of the forfeiture under sub. (2) (a) or towing and storage charges, provided that the owner advises the authority that the payment is made under this paragraph.

345.28(5x) (5x) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall promulgate rules specifying the form of the notice required under sub. (5w) (a) 1., including the type size and any highlighting of the information described in that paragraph and, if the notice is on a separate form, the size of the paper. The rules must require the notice to be in substantially the same form as the notice under s. 344.576 (3) (a) and may specify additional information to be included in the notice and the precise language that must be used.

345.28(6) (6) No person may be arrested or imprisoned under s. 345.47 (1) (a) or ch. 785 for failure to pay a judgment assessed under this section and s. 345.47.

345.28(7) (7) Nothing in this section prevents a court from issuing a warrant under s. 345.36 or 345.37 if the person appears in court in response to a citation for a nonmoving traffic violation or after notice by the authority who issued the citation or the department under sub. (4) with respect to the citation or on the date specified by the officer or the court under sub. (5) and then fails to appear in court at any time fixed by subsequent postponement. Unless the case is tried immediately with the person’s consent, any person who is arrested on a warrant issued under this subsection may be released on his or her own recognizance or on posting bond or may be released without bail and shall be released if the person posts cash bail for his or her appearance.

345.28 History History: 1981 c. 165; 1983 a. 103, 169; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (32); 1983 a. 330; 1983 a. 538 ss. 219, 269 (1), (2); 1989 a. 31, 105; 1991 a. 67; 1993 a. 399, 437; 1997 a. 237; 2003 a. 201; 2007 a. 207; 2015 a. 60.

345.285 345.285 Alternative traffic violation and registration pilot program.

345.285(1) (1) The department may administer an alternative traffic violation and registration pilot program. Any pilot program under this section shall provide alternative methods of suspending and refusing vehicle registrations for unpaid citations for nonmoving traffic violations in lieu of applicable requirements of s. 345.28.

345.285(2) (2) The department may contract with a city of the 1st class to permit the city to suspend vehicle registrations for unpaid citations for nonmoving traffic violations. The department may not enter into a contract under this subsection after June 30, 2001. A contract under this subsection shall include all of the following provisions:

345.285(2)(a) (a) The city may suspend the registration of a vehicle if all of the following apply:

345.285(2)(a)1. 1. The city has cited the owner of the vehicle for one or more nonmoving traffic violations for which the owner has neither paid the forfeitures nor appeared in court in response to the violations.

345.285(2)(a)2. 2. The city has mailed to the last-known address of the owner at least 2 notices that meet the requirements of s. 345.28 (4) (c) with respect to each citation counted under subd. 1.

345.285(2)(a)3. 3. The owner has not, by the date specified in the last issued citation that is counted under subd. 1. or, if no date is specified in that citation, within 28 days after the citation is issued, either paid all forfeitures or appeared in court in response to all citations counted under subd. 1. for which the forfeitures have not been paid.

345.285(2)(b) (b) If the city suspends the registration of a vehicle under par. (a), all of the following apply:

345.285(2)(b)1. 1. The city may notify the department to refuse the registration of any vehicle owned by the person under s. 341.10 (7r).

345.285(2)(b)2. 2. The city shall remove the suspension of the vehicle’s registration under par. (a) if the owner of the vehicle either pays all forfeitures or appears in court in response to all citations counted under par. (a) 1. for which the forfeitures have not been paid. If a suspension is removed under this subdivision, the department shall be immediately notified in the form and manner prescribed by the department.

345.285(2)(c) (c) Provisions that specify the responsibilities of the department and of the city with respect to the pilot program, the procedures for record and transaction security, and any fee that the city may assess the owner of a vehicle whose registration is suspended under par. (a).

345.285(2)(d) (d) Notwithstanding s. 85.13, the department shall charge the city a fee for the cost of the development and operation of the pilot program under this section. The fee shall ensure that payments by the city to the department under this paragraph and s. 85.13 are not less than payments made by the city to the department under s. 85.13 before June 17, 1998, for comparable periods of time. The department may periodically adjust this fee accordingly or, in lieu of adjusting the fee, may terminate the contract.

345.285(2)(e) (e) The city may enact and enforce an ordinance that strictly conforms to s. 341.03, except that the ordinance shall apply to motor vehicles whose registration is suspended under par. (a).

345.285(2)(f) (f) The city may not suspend vehicle registrations under this section after June 30, 2001.

345.285 History History: 1997 a. 237.

345.30 345.30 Jurisdiction. Jurisdiction over actions for violation of traffic regulations and nonmoving traffic violations is conferred upon circuit courts. Municipal courts shall have jurisdiction over traffic regulations enacted in accordance with s. 349.06 and over actions for violations of nonmoving traffic ordinances enacted in accordance with s. 349.06 or 349.13.

345.30 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1977 c. 449; 1981 c. 165.

345.31 345.31 Venue in traffic regulation actions. Section 971.19 on place of trial in criminal actions applies to actions for the violation of traffic regulations and nonmoving traffic violations except that, in the case of a violation of an ordinance of a municipality which is located in more than one county, the action may be brought in any court sitting in that municipality even though in another county. As an alternative, the plaintiff may bring the action in the county where the defendant resides.

345.31 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1981 c. 165.

345.315 345.315 Change of judge.

345.315(1) (1) In traffic regulation and nonmoving traffic violation cases a person charged with a violation may file a written request for a substitution of a different judge for the judge originally assigned to the trial of that case. The written request shall be filed not later than 7 days after the initial appearance in person or by an attorney. If a new judge is assigned to the trial of a case and the defendant has not exercised the right to substitute an assigned judge, a written request for the substitution of the new judge may be filed within 10 days of the giving of actual notice or sending of the notice of assignment to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney. If the notification occurs within 10 days of the date set for trial, the request shall be filed within 48 hours of the giving of actual notice or sending of the notice of assignment to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney. If the notification occurs within 48 hours of the trial or if there has been no notification, the defendant may make an oral or written request for substitution prior to the commencement of the proceedings. The judge against whom a request has been filed may set initial bail and accept a plea.

345.315(1m) (1m) When the clerk of court receives a request for substitution, the clerk shall immediately contact the judge whose substitution has been requested for a determination of whether the request was made timely and in proper form. If the request is found to be timely and in proper form, the judge named in the request has no further jurisdiction and the clerk shall request the assignment of another judge under s. 751.03. If no determination is made within 7 days, the clerk shall refer the matter to the chief judge of the judicial administrative district for determination of whether the request was made timely and in proper form and reassignment as necessary.

345.315(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (5), no more than one judge can be disqualified in any action.

345.315(3) (3) In a court of record assignment of judges shall be made as provided in s. 751.03.

345.315(4) (4) In municipal court a case shall be transferred as provided in ss. 751.03 (2) and 800.05.

345.315(5) (5) If upon an appeal from a judgment or order or upon a writ of error the appellate court orders a new trial or reverses or modifies the judgment or order in a manner such that further proceedings in the trial court are necessary, the person charged with a violation may file a request under sub. (1) within 20 days after the entry of the judgment or decision of the appellate court whether or not another request was filed prior to the time the appeal or writ of error was taken.

345.315 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1973 c. 218; 1977 c. 135; 1977 c. 187 s. 135; 1977 c. 305, 449; 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (1), (17); 1981 c. 165; 1983 a. 218; 1987 a. 151.

345.315 Note Judicial Council Note, 1977: This section has been amended so that a judge against whom a substitution of judge request has been filed in traffic regulation cases may, however, set initial bail and accept a plea. The provision that all defendants must join in any substitution of judge request has been deleted to conform to a provision in chapter 149, laws of 1975. In addition, the transfer fee from municipal to county court has been deleted and a municipal justice will no longer retain the option of transferring the case to another municipal justice rather than county court when a request for substitution has been filed against him or her. [Bill 74-S]

345.315 Note Judicial Council Note, 1983: Sub. (1) is amended by conforming the procedure for requesting the substitution of a judge other than the judge originally assigned to the trial of a traffic regulation case to that specified for criminal actions in s. 971.20 (5), stats. The time deadlines are made to run from the time of giving actual notice or sending the notice of assignment to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney rather than receipt thereof, which is difficult to determine and therefore causes problems in the administration of justice. [Bill 148-S]

345.32 345.32 Initial appearance before judge. If a defendant is arrested and brought without unreasonable delay before a judge who, or a court which, does not have jurisdiction to try the case, the defendant shall be committed to await trial in a court with jurisdiction and all papers shall be sent forthwith to that court. In lieu of commitment, the judge may release the defendant if the defendant posts bond for the defendant’s appearance in such court, or the judge may release the defendant on the defendant’s recognizance for such appearance, or the judge may release the defendant without bail. The court to which the case is sent may similarly release the defendant.

345.32 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1991 a. 316.

345.34 345.34 Arraignment; pleas.

345.34(1) (1) If the defendant appears in response to a citation, or is arrested and brought before a court with jurisdiction to try the case, the defendant shall be informed that he or she is entitled to a jury trial. The defendant may plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If the defendant requests a continuance at the initial appearance, the court shall adjourn the arraignment without entering any plea.

345.34(2) (2) If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, the court shall accept the plea, find the defendant guilty and proceed under s. 345.47.

345.34(3) (3) If a summons is served or citation is issued by a police officer for a violation of any municipal ordinance or of chs. 194 or 340 to 348 and 350, the defendant may enter a plea of not guilty based on such summons or citation by letter to the judge at the address indicated on the summons or citation, the letter to show the defendant’s return address. The letter may include a request for trial during normal daytime business hours. Upon receipt of the letter, the judge shall reply by mail to the defendant’s address setting forth a time and place for trial, the time to be during normal business hours if requested by the defendant. The date of the trial shall be at least 10 days from the mailing by the judge. Nothing in this subsection forbids the setting of the trial at any time convenient to all parties concerned.

345.34 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1973 c. 218; 1977 c. 305; 1991 a. 316; 2017 a. 40.

345.34 Annotation Courts may not dismiss traffic complaints on the payment of a penalty and costs, or costs alone. 63 Atty. Gen. 328.

345.36 345.36 Not guilty plea; failure to appear.

345.36(1) (1) Except as provided in this subsection, if the defendant pleads not guilty, the court shall set a future date for trial or advise the defendant that notice will later be sent of the date set for trial. If the defendant appears in response to a nonmoving traffic violation under s. 345.28, the court may provide an immediate trial. The court shall release the defendant if he or she posts an appearance bond, or the court may release the defendant on recognizance or without bail. A defendant not so released shall be committed to jail to await trial.

345.36(2) (2) If a defendant fails to appear at the date set under sub. (1), the court shall either:

345.36(2)(a) (a) Issue a warrant under ch. 968 and, if the defendant has posted bond for appearance at that date, the court may order the bond forfeited; or

345.36(2)(b) (b) Deem the nonappearance a plea of no contest and enter judgment accordingly. If the defendant has posted bond for appearance at that date, the court may also order the bond forfeited. The court shall promptly mail a copy of the judgment to the defendant. The judgment shall allow not less than 20 days from the date thereof for payment of any forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814. If the defendant moves to open the judgment within 20 days after the date set for trial, and shows to the satisfaction of the court that the failure to appear was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, the court shall open the judgment, reinstate the not guilty plea, and set a new trial date. The court may impose costs under s. 814.07. The court shall immediately notify the department to delete the record of conviction based upon the original judgment.

345.36(3) (3) If the offense involved is a nonmoving traffic violation and the defendant is subject to s. 345.28 (5) (c), a default judgment may be entered and opened as provided in s. 345.28 (5) (c).

345.36 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1983 a. 231; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1997 a. 27, 135; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 139; 2017 a. 40.

345.37 345.37 Procedure on default of appearance. If the defendant fails to appear in court at the time fixed in the citation or by subsequent postponement, or, if an ordinance under s. 345.28 (2) (d) applies, not less time than the period established in an ordinance under s. 345.28 (2) (d) has elapsed since the person was charged with a nonmoving violation, the following procedure shall apply:

345.37(1) (1) If the defendant has not made a deposit under s. 345.26, the court shall either:

345.37(1)(a) (a) Issue a warrant under ch. 968 and, if the defendant has posted a bond for appearance at that date, the court may order the bond forfeited; or

345.37(1)(b) (b) Deem the nonappearance a plea of no contest and enter judgment accordingly. If the defendant has posted bond for appearance at that date, the court may also order the bond forfeited. The court shall promptly mail a copy or notice of the judgment to the defendant. The judgment shall allow not less than 20 days from the date thereof for payment of any forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814. If the defendant moves to open the judgment within 6 months after the court appearance date fixed in the citation, and shows to the satisfaction of the court that the failure to appear was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, the court shall open the judgment, accept a not guilty plea, and set a trial date. The court may impose costs under s. 814.07. The court shall immediately notify the department to delete the record of conviction based upon the original judgment. If the offense involved is a nonmoving traffic violation and the defendant is subject to s. 345.28 (5) (c), a default judgment may be entered and opened as provided in s. 345.28 (5) (c).

345.37(2) (2) If the defendant has made a deposit under s. 345.26, the citation may serve as the initial pleading and the defendant shall be deemed to have tendered a plea of no contest and submitted to a forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, not exceeding the amount of the deposit. The court may either accept the plea of no contest and enter judgment accordingly, or reject the plea and issue a summons under ch. 968. If the defendant fails to appear in response to the summons, the court shall issue a warrant under ch. 968. If the court accepts the plea of no contest, the defendant may move within 6 months after the date set for the appearance to withdraw the plea of no contest, open the judgment, and enter a plea of not guilty upon a showing to the satisfaction of the court that the failure to appear was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. If on reopening the defendant is found not guilty, the court shall immediately notify the department to delete the record of conviction based on the original proceeding and shall order the defendant’s deposit returned.

345.37(5) (5) Within 5 working days after forfeiture of deposit or entry of default judgment, the official receiving the forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, shall forward to the department a certification of the entry of default judgment or a judgment of forfeiture.

345.37(6) (6) Any person who fails to comply with this section relative to forwarding records of convictions to the department may be fined not more than $100.

345.37 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1973 c. 218; 1975 c. 231, 421; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1472 to 1475, 1654 (7) (a), (c); 1977 c. 273, 305; 1981 c. 317; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 27, 267, 399; 1989 a. 107, 170; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1997 a. 27, 135, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 139; 2015 a. 60.

345.37 Annotation Motion costs under s. 814.07 on motions brought to open judgments entered on a forfeiture actions under this section may not be imposed by a blanket order. Discretion must be exercised by the court in each case. OAG 1-00.

345.375 345.375 Judgment against a corporation or limited liability company.

345.375(1) (1) If a corporation or limited liability company fails to appear within the time required by the citation, the default of such corporation or limited liability company may be recorded and the charge against it taken as true and judgment shall be rendered accordingly.

345.375(2) (2) Upon default of the defendant corporation or limited liability company or upon conviction, judgment for the amount of the forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, shall be entered.