Traffic Unit
Unit Contact Information
Traffic Clerk: Amanda Leneau (920) 683-4034
Traffic Clerk: Sara Frey (920) 683-4027
Traffic Intake Information
Intake for criminal traffic misdemeanor charges is held every week on Monday morning (excluding holidays), commencing at 9:30 a.m., before the judge on intake, located on the 2nd floor of the courthouse.
The judges are on a monthly rotation for intake. The Branch 1 judge presides over intake for January, April, July and October. The Branch 2 judge presides over intake for February, May, August, and November. The Branch 3 judge presides over intake for March, June, September and December. Criminal intake hearings are open to the public.
Intake for non-criminal traffic and civil forfeiture violations is held every week on Tuesday morning (excluding holidays), commencing at 11:00 a.m., in the B-15 courtroom, located in the lower level of the courthouse. A court commissioner presides over non-criminal traffic intake. Non-traffic intake is open to the public. (County-every week; State Patrol-every other week; Villages, DNR, Canadian Railroad, and County Planning & Zoning-held on 3rd Tuesday of each month)
Mandatory Traffic Court Appearances
- When your traffic citations indicates a “mandatory” court appearance, you must appear in person.
- Appearances by telephone are not allowed for mandatory court appearances.
- Requests for adjournment require court approval. You can contact the Traffic Unit at (920)683-4028 or
(920)683-4497 for further assistance. - Failure to appear for a mandatory court appearance will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.
- We do not accept payment of the bond amount listed on your citation for mandatory court appearances,
because that amount may not be the amount the court assesses as the fine and costs. Payment can be
made after your initial appearance date when the court enters judgment and assesses a fine and costs.
If you mail in payment prior to your initial mandatory court appearance date, it will be returned to you.
Non-Mandatory Court Appearance / Payment Options
- You may appear in person to enter a plea. If you do appear and enter a plea of not guilty, you will have a pretrial conference immediately with the District Attorney.
- You may also send in a not guilty letter prior to your scheduled court date, and a pretrial date will be scheduled for you with the District Attorney. This will cancel your initial appearance court date.
- If you fail to appear at the initial appearance, the court will enter a default judgment against you in the amount specified on the citation. The Court will grant you an additional 60 days to pay the fine/forfeiture in full.
- If you do not contest the citation, you may pay your citation in full prior to the scheduled court date. A plea of no contest will be entered on your behalf.
- If you cannot pay your fine in full by its due date, you can contact the Clerk of Court office after your initial appearance date to enter into a payment plan to pay your fine in affordable monthly installments. A nominal payment plan fee will apply. If you have multiple debts with Manitowoc County, they can be consolidated into one payment plan, so you only have one monthly payment to make.
If you do not make arrangements to pay your fine by its due date, your failure to pay make subject you to one or more of the following consequences:
- Court ordered income assignment
- Suspension of driver’s license
- Suspension of hunting/fishing/trapping license
- Warrant issued for your arrest and commitment to Manitowoc County Jail
- Civil judgment being entered against you
- Interception of your state income tax refund
- Referral to collection agency (which will trigger statutory interest on unpaid balance)
Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
OWI, Ignition Interlock Vehicle Exemption Information Manitowoc County general and procedural information pertaining to the OWI law, court ordered ignition interlock, and vehicle exemption.
Basic Instructions for Submitting Petition for Ignition Interlock Vehicle Exemptions Manitowoc County instructional information
Petition for Ignition Interlock Vehicle Exemptions Manitowoc County form
Order for Ignition Interlock Vehicle Exemptions Manitowoc County form
Order for Ignition Interlock Exemptions (MV-3617 VOIDED) This sample MV-3617 form is provided strictly for the purpose of allowing you to gather and compile the necessary information to complete the Order. However, you will need to transfer all information to an official Form MV-3617, which can be obtained from the Clerk of Court, which will contain a section for the Court’s signature. THIS SAMPLE FORM IS NOT INTENDED FOR FILING.
Confidential Disclosure of Protected Information (GF-241) (Word fillable format) – complete to redact your driver’s license number from public disclosure
Basic Instructions for Submitting Petition for Half-Priced Ignition Interlock Device Manitowoc County instructional information
Petition for Half-Priced Ignition Interlock Device (TR-305) CCAP form
Order for Half-Priced Ignition Interlock Device (TR-309) CCAP form
Occupational License – Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)
Petition for Occupational Driver’s License – Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)
List of Required Documents (and Fee) to Bring When Applying for Occupational License
OWI Resources
OAR/OAS guidelines
New OAR/OAS statewide guidelines for the State of Wisconsin.
OWI Sentencing Guidelines
District 4 guidelines (effective 12-1-18) Changes on last page under “Felony Offenses (4th or higher)”. Per 2017 Wisconsin Act 172, those convicted of an OWI 4th or higher will have their driving privileges revoked for life if the previous offense was within 15 years. Offenders will not be eligible for an occupational license, but they may apply for reinstatement of their license 10 years after the conviction. In order to reinstate, the driver must file and maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future. These specific requirements can be found in Wis. Stat. 344.24. In order to qualify for reinstatement, the driver must not have been convicted of another OWI related offense in that 10-year waiting period, and they have to comply with an assessment for use of drugs or alcohol 45 days before the request.
OWI & Related Alcohol and Drug Penalties
Reflects driving consequences if act is committed in Wisconsin or in another jurisdiction, and how it affects an occupational license.
Forms/Documents/Procedures
Address Change
Complete form legibly, including case number(s). Address will be changed only on cases
indicated. Clerk of Court requires all address changes to be given in writing. Submit completed
form to Clerk of Court in person, by mail or by fax (920)683-2733.
Not Guilty Letter
Submit completed form to Clerk of Court in person, by mail or by fax prior to initial appearance court date.
Motion to Reopen Traffic Forfeiture (TR-310) to request a traffic forfeiture case to be reopened
(20 days from trial date or 6 months from initial appearance date)
Order on Motion to Reopen Traffic Forfeiture (TR-311) court order granting or denying request to reopen
Links
Manitowoc County Local Court Rules for county specific traffic procedure information
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Check driving reinstatement eligibility and reinstate online.
Traffic Deposit/Bail Bond Schedule
2022 Uniform State Traffic Deposit Schedule
DNR Deposit/Bail Bond Schedule
2022 State of Wisconsin Revised Uniform Deposit and Bail Schedule for DNR Violations