Procedures for Dealing with Citations

Mandatory Appearance? (See your citation)

If your citation is marked as a mandatory court appearance, you MUST appear in court. The "appearance not mandatory" instructions do not apply to you. 

If you do not appear in court, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

Nonmandatory Appearance? (See your citation)

If you do not wish to dispute the citation, simply mail in the "deposit permitted" amount by your court date. Along with the amount, you must include: 

  • A statement saying that you do not wish to contest the citation
  • AND
  • A photocopy of your citation
  • OR
  • Your correct name and address, citation number, court appearance date listed on the citation, offense, and arresting police agency.

Make checks payable to the "Clerk of Court." Mail it to the court address written under "YOU ARE NOTIFIED TO APPEAR" on your citation. You do not need to appear in court.

The court will either:

  • Accept your nonappearance as a plea of no contest. Find you guilty and keep the "deposit permitted" amount as payment for your citation.
  • OR
  • Decline to accept the deposit and order you to appear in court by summons.

If you do nothing, the court may either:

  • Issue a summons for you to appear in court.
  • OR
  • Find you guilty for failing to appear in court. Order you to pay the forfeiture and costs imposed by the court.

Disputing a Citation

If you wish to dispute your citation, you must appear in court or enter a "not guilty" plea by mail before your court date. You may do so even if you have already paid the deposit or posted a bond.

Please include either:

  • A photocopy of your citation and your correct mailing address
  • OR
  • Your correct name and mailing address, citation number, court appearance date listed on the citation, offense, and arresting police agency.

On your court date, the court will set a District Attorney Pre-Trial Conference (DA Pre-Trial) hearing. This hearing is your opportunity to meet with a District Attorney to discuss your case. At this hearing, your case may be resolved or set for a court trial that will take place in front of a Judge.

Should you need to reschedule your DA Pre-Trial, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at 262-653-2400. You may also email Kristina Legler, Paralegal.

If you do not appear at your DA Pre-Trial, the court will be notified. Your case will be set for a Default Hearing. The court will send you notice of the Default Hearing. 

If you do not attend the Default Hearing, you will be found guilty in absentia. You will be required to pay the fine on your citation. Please note, the District Attorney’s office cannot assist you until your case has been set for a DA Pre-Trial.

Should you need to reschedule the court date listed on your citation, please contact the Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court at 262-653-2664.