Municipal Court

The City of Brillion/Village of Reedsville Municipal Court holds court every first Tuesday of the month. Our primary duty is to administer justice in a fair and unbiased manner.

The department responsibilities include:
  • Treat every person involved with the judicial system with respect and dignity
  • Advise defendants of all options available to them without giving legal advice
  • Administer justice in a fair and unbiased manner
  • Make a positive impression of municipal court proceedings
  • Process all citations issued through this court in a timely fashion
City of Brillion/Village of Reedsville Court Information:
The Court Clerk may be contacted at 920-756-2250, 201 N. Main Street, Brillion, WI 54110.

The City of Brillion/Village of Reedsville Municipal Judge is

Court location and Times
Brillion City Center, 201 N. Main Street, Brillion WI 54110
Juvenile Court                   2:00 PM
Adult Court                       2:30 PM
Please no food or drink allowed in the courtroom.

Instructions for Pleas
You have a right to enter a plea of either GUILTY, NOT GUILTY or NO CONTEST to the charge against you.

If you plead NO CONTEST, it is likely that you will be found guilty, but before the court makes that decision, you will have the opportunity to speak to the Judge.  If you are involved in any type of violation where you may be sued civilly (for an example, a car accident), the fact that you plead NO CONTEST in this court may not be used against you in any other action or in any other court.  You may plead NO CONTEST to any charge in this court.

If you plead GUILTY, that is what is called an admission against interest which can, and may be used against you civilly.

If you plead NOT GUILTY, you will be scheduled for a pretrial conference with the City.  If the case cannot be disposed of after this conference, then a trial will be scheduled and held in this court.  Please note that you may make your plea of NOT GUILTY before your court date either by mail or in person at the Municipal Court offices located at 201 N. Main Street, Brillion, WI 54110.

If you make a "not guilty" plea prior to your initial appearance date, the court will enter your plea for you.  You do not need to appear at that initial appearance court date.  Within a few days after your initial court appearance date you will be sent a pretrial notice by U.S. mail.  You must appear at that pretrial date and time.  If you fail to show at this conference you will automatically be found guilty.

Information prior to your appearance
When you come into this court, you will be charged with violating a Village Ordinance or a State of Wisconsin statute as adopted by the City of Brillion/Village of Reedsville. You have a right to enter a plea of either GUILTY, NOT GUILTY, or NO CONTEST to the charge.

If you plead NO CONTEST, it is likely that you will be found guilty. If you are involved in the type of arrest where you may be sued civilly (for example, an accident), the fact that you plead NO CONTEST in this court may not be used against you in any other action or in any other court.

If you plead GUILTY, that is what is called an admission against interest which can, and may be used against you civilly. It is very important that you understand the difference. You may plead NO CONTEST to any charge in this court.

If you plead NOT GUILTY, you will first be scheduled for a pre-trial conference with the City/Village Prosecuting Attorney. If the case cannot be disposed of after this conference, then a trial will be scheduled and held in this court.

You also have the right to have a trial in another Municipal Court. If you want to do that, you must make a written demand in this court within 10 days from the date of judgment, or you will be forever barred from transferring the trial.
 
A jury trial cannot be requested for any municipal/traffic charge except operating while intoxicated or blood alcohol content. If you plead NOT GUILTY to a charge of OWI/BAC, and want a jury trial, you must make a demand of this court IN WRITING, within 10 days of this appearance and you must accompany your written demand with the jury fees of $36.00 for a six person jury trial, checks
made payable to Calumet County or Manitowoc County Court Clerk. The case will then be transferred to the Calumet or Manitowoc County Circuit Court for the jury trial, and all further communications would be from them. If you do not properly request the jury trial within this period, you are forever barred and your case will be heard in this court.

Tax Refund Intercept Program (TRIP)
The State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue has a developed a program designed to assist agencies in collection of money owed to them.  This court participates in the TRIP program. When a defendant does not pay the money owed to this court, we “TRIP” them.

We certify the debt and send the amount owed information to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to intercept any tax refund this person may be entitled to receive.  We keep this balance due on this person’s record until the forfeiture is paid in full.

Even if the defendant’s suspension time has run out the balance will still remain with the D.O.R. until paid in full.

Occupational License Information
An occupational license is a restricted driver license. Unlike a regular license, you are limited in where and when you can drive.  You may only drive to and from work or church or other places indicated on the license and during specific times of the day.  You may not use an occupational license for recreational purposes or to operate a commercial motor vehicle.  Your total driving time is limited to 12 hours each day and no more than 60 hours for the entire week.  If you operate outside those specific hours or for a purpose not permitted on the license, you may be arrested for operating after suspension or revocation.

If you need to travel through another state, you need to check to see if they allow operation with a Wisconsin occupational license.  All states may not honor a Wisconsin occupational license.

Who May Be Eligible: If you are a Wisconsin resident, you may be eligible to obtain an occupational license if your operating privilege was revoked or suspended under the following circumstances:
  • A traffic offense under Ch. 343 Wis.Stats.
  • A drug conviction under s.961.50 (except juveniles)
  • Nonpayment of child support under s.767.303
  • A Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) or Repeat Habitual Traffic Offender (RHT) under Ch.351.
 Who is NOT Eligible: An occupational license cannot be issued:
  • If you are juvenile who committed offenses under Ch.938.
  • If you are under suspension for failing to pay a forfeiture (such as a traffic ticket or municipal citation).
  • If you license has been cancelled (rather than revoked or suspended).
  • If you have never held a driver’s license.
  • If you are eligible to reinstate your driver license after revocation or suspension.
  • If you have 2 or more revocation/suspension cases from separate incidents in a 1 year period.
  • If you have not served all mandatory waiting periods for an occupational license.
How To Apply/Additional Questions:  You may visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Web page www.dot.wisconsin.gov or call the automated telephone system at 1-608-261-0368 to find out if you are eligible for an occupational license or with any other questions.

You may also apply for an occupational license at the nearest DMV Customer Service Center (excluding DMV Express Offices). Two hours are needed to process an application. Plan to arrive at the DMV Customer Service Center at least 2 hours before the center is scheduled to close.