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Clerk of Circuit Courts

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1. Where can I obtain a transcript of my hearing?

You will be required to fill out form: CS-211

2. How long are case files kept?

Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, case information remains accessible for the

Minimum periods for the following case types:
•Felony (CF) - 75 years after final judgment
•Misdemeanor (CM) & Criminal Traffic (CT) - 20 years after final judgment
•Traffic (TR) - 5 years after final judgment

3. How do I find my case number and case information?

Go to the public access computer terminals in Room #201 of the Ozaukee County Justice Center to find case information, including court dates.
Case information is available on the web at: wicourts.gov

4. How do I get copies of documents in a case file?

Copies are available Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. from the customer service window in room 201at the Justice Center. Copies cost $1.25 per page. If you need a copy of a document certified, the cost for certification is $5.00 in addition to the copy costs.

5. I received a traffic citation. What should I do?

If the citation requires a mandatory appearance, you MUST appear at the designated place and time if you are pleading No Contest or Guilty. Failure to appear may result in a warrant for your arrest.
If you wish to plead Not Guilty on a mandatory appearance citation you must do so in writing before your court date. You will receive notification of a pre-trial and court trial date to the address listed on your citation unless you inform us of an address change.
If the citation does not require a mandatory appearance and you wish to PAY it, you may do so by one of the following methods, before the court date. YOU MUST INCLUDE THE CITATION NUMBER IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE OR A PHOTOCOPY OF THE CITATION WITH YOUR PAYMENT.
By Phone: Please call 262-284-8421 or 262-238-8422 to make a payment. Acceptable forms of payment include Visa, Discover, or MasterCard credit or debit cards. Please note a 3% service fee will be assessed for payments using a debit or credit card.
By Mail - Acceptable forms of payment include checks or money orders made payable to Clerk of Circuit Court. Mail your payment to:
Ozaukee County Clerk of Courts
1201 S. Spring St.
P.O. Box 994
Port Washington, WI 53074

Online - Payments may be made with a MasterCard or an electronic check. Visit the Wisconsin Court System page and pay fees online.
Please note the following nonrefundable fees charged by U.S. Bank to process the payment:
MasterCard convenience fee: 2.75%
Electronic check flat fee: $2.50
Please allow 24-48 hours for processing

6. I wish to contest my citation, what do I do?

If you wish to appear to contest your citation, report to court on the date listed on your citation.
If the citation does not require a mandatory appearance and you wish to plead NOT GUILTY, you may do so by mailing your request to:
Ozaukee County Circuit Court
ATTN: Traffic Clerk
P.O. Box 994
Port Washington, WI 53074
The request must be received BEFORE THE COURT DATE AND MUST INCLUDE a copy of the citation, your current address, and a statement that you wish to plead NOT GUILTY. If you plead not guilty by mail, please do not appear on the court date listed on the citation. Notice of the next court date, place, and time will be mailed to you.

7. Can I request Clerk of Circuit Court office staff to change my court date?

No, Office staff cannot change court dates. Non-appearance on a scheduled court date may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.

8. I didn't show up for court. What happens now?

If you have a felony, misdemeanor case or a citation with a mandatory appearance, the judge may have issued a warrant for your arrest.

9. I have a warrant, what should I do?

If you have a lawyer, call your lawyer to learn more about your options.

10. My driver's license has been suspended because I didn't pay my fine. What should I do?

You may call 262-284-8409 for information. You will need to pay the fine to the Clerk of Circuit Court and you will need to pay a $60.00* reinstatement fee to the Department of Transportation. Your license will NOT be reinstated automatically with the payment of your fine to the Clerk of Circuit Court. You must also pay the reinstatement fee to the D.O.T. Call your local D.O.T. office for information on paying the reinstatement fee. * Reinstatement fee for OWI related offenses is $200.00.

11. How can I reopen my civil traffic or forfeiture case?

Use the Motion to Reopen form to motion the court to consider your request. Motion to Reopen and Order Blank

12. How do I get a lawyer?

There are several ways for you to locate an attorney to assist you. One way is to call the WI State Bar Lawyer Referral and Information Service at (608) 257-4666. You could also search lawyer directories or the yellow pages. For more information, visit this topic on the Wisconsin State Law Library's Legal Topics page.

13. I posted bail. How do I get my bail money back?

If the case is still open, the judge will usually require the bail to remain on deposit to ensure the defendant's appearance in court. After the case is closed, any remaining bail (after it is applied to the fine, court costs, assessments, and surcharges) will be returned to the person designated on the bail form. A bail refund check is usually mailed within 30 days of sentencing/disposition of the case. If you do not receive the bail refund after three weeks of the closing of the case, you may contact our office at 262-284-8418.
Note that if the defendant failed to appear for a court date, the judge may order the bail forfeited and issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant. If the bail is ordered forfeited, our office will mail a notice to both the defendant and the person who posted bail.

14. My State tax refund was intercepted. What do I do?

If you went to the State's web site and found your taxes were intercepted, you will be receiving a letter with instructions.

15. How do I satisfy a judgment for a debt discharged in bankruptcy?

Click on the link below for instructions and to access the Application, Certificate of Mailing and proposed Order required. Satisfaction of Debt Discharged in Bankruptcy Form

16. How do I exempt my vehicle from an ignition interlock order?

Petition the court using the Affidavit for Exemption for Waiver of Ignition Interlock form link below: Affidavit for Exemption for Waiver of Ignition Int

17. Where do I get forms to file for post-judgment action in family?

Forms are available through wicourts.gov.
Link: https://myforms.wicourts.gov/

18. Where do I get forms to file for divorce?

Forms are available through wicourts.gov.
Link: https://myforms.wicourts.gov/

19. Where do I get forms to file a small claims action?

At www.wicourts.gov. Link: https://myforms.wicourts.gov/

20. I can't make my court date. How do I reschedule a court date?

Requests must be received in writing and a copy of the request MUST be provided to the other parties in the case.

21. What if there are no forms for my situation?

You should search for an appropriate form on the Wisconsin Court System website. There may not be a standardized form for your situation. In most cases, the Judge or appropriate court office will allow you to draft a form or letter indicating the facts about the situation, including whether you are trying to do something based on a previous case you've been involved in, what you would like the court to do, and your reasons for asking. Sometimes, you may need to consult with an attorney or legal assistance center to make sure your drafted form or letter is complete and formatted correctly. Please note that the pages of any submitted forms must be no larger or smaller than 8.5" x 11".
Link to wicourts.gov for forms.

22. What form do I use that allows a party dissatisfied with the results of a hearing before the Family Court Commissioner to request a new hearing on the same issues before a circuit judge?

Motion for and Notice of New (De Novo) Hearing
Following the directions in the forms Summary FA-4130