How do I fight a speeding ticket in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin speeding tickets are civil forfeitures handled by municipal or circuit court.

1. Pay vs. Contest

Pay: forfeiture amount via court; reported to DOT as conviction.

Plead not guilty: pretrial conference often allows amendment to a lower-point or non-moving violation (common in WI for first-time offenders).

Trial: bench trial preponderance standard; jury trial available on demand for circuit court forfeiture actions.

2. Speed Limits & Reckless Threshold

Wis. Stat. § 346.57 sets posted maximums (70 mph rural interstate).

Reckless driving (Wis. Stat. § 346.62): criminal misdemeanor — up to 1 year jail (with injury) or $400-$1,000 fine.

Inattentive driving (§ 346.89): civil forfeiture, often used as plea-down.

3. DOT Demerit Points

Trans 101 Wis. Adm. Code:

3 points: 1-10 mph over

4 points: 11-19 over

6 points: 20+ over

6 points: reckless driving (criminal)

12+ points/12 months = suspension (2 months at 12-16; 4 months at 17-22; 6 months at 23-30; 1 year at 31+). Points reduce 3 after completing a court-approved Driver Improvement Course.

4. Insurance Impact

Wisconsin insurers typically surcharge 3 years. SR-22 not required for ordinary speeding.

5. Defenses & Discovery

Wisconsin Statute § 805.07 governs subpoenas; demand officer and radar/lidar calibration log.

State v. Hanson — Wisconsin requires radar foundation through trained operator and tested equipment.

Pacing must show same direction and accurate speedometer.

6. CDL Holders

49 CFR § 384.226 — no plea-down to mask a CMV conviction.

7. Out-of-State

Wisconsin participates in the Driver License Compact — conviction reported home.

This is legal information, not legal advice.