[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Watertown
as § 2.07(2) to (6) of the former City Code; amended by Ord. No. 02-47. Subsequent
amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Pursuant to § 755.01, Wis. Stats., there is created the
office of Municipal Judge for the City of Watertown. The Municipal
Judge shall be elected at large at the spring election in odd-numbered
years for a term of four years, or until a successor is elected and
qualifies, commencing on May 1 next succeeding his or her election.
Candidates for the Municipal Judge position must reside in the City
of Watertown and also shall be an attorney licensed to practice law
in Wisconsin.
[Amended 11-3-2015 by Ord. No. 15-37]
B.
All candidates for the position of Municipal Judge shall be nominated
by nomination papers as provided in § 8.10, Wis. Stats.,
and selection at a primary election, if such is held as provided in
§ 8.11, Wis. Stats. The Common Council of the City of Watertown
shall provide for a primary election in the event that more than two
candidates file nomination papers for the position of Municipal Judge
as provided for in § 8.11(1)(a), Wis. Stats., and such primary
election shall be held on the third Tuesday of February as provided
in § 5.02(22), Wis. Stats.
C.
The Municipal Judge shall, after election or appointment to fill
a vacancy, take and file the official oath as prescribed in § 757.02(1),
Wis. Stats., and at the same time the City shall obtain a dishonesty
insurance policy or other appropriate insurance policy that covers
the Municipal Judge, in an amount fixed by the City, but in no case
with a policy limit less than $10,000. The City shall pay the costs
of the insurance policy. The Municipal Judge shall not act until the
oath has been filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Dodge
and Jefferson Counties, as required by § 19.01(4)(c), Wis.
Stats., and the requirements of § 755.03(2), Wis. Stats.,
have been complied with.
[Amended 4-17-2018 by Ord. No. 18-2]
D.
The salary of the Municipal Judge shall be fixed by the Common Council
of the City of Watertown, which shall be in lieu of fees and costs.
No salary shall be paid for any time during the term which the Judge
has not executed the official oath, as required by § 755.03,
Wis. Stats., and filed pursuant to § 19.01(4)(c), Wis. Stats.
[Amended 4-17-2018 by Ord. No. 18-2]
A.
There is hereby created and established a Municipal Court under the
provisions of Chapter 755 of the Wisconsin Statutes, to be designated
as "Watertown Municipal Court." The Municipal Judge and the Municipal
Court shall have such jurisdiction as provided by §§ 755.045
and 755.05, Wis. Stats., and as otherwise provided by law.
B.
The Municipal Court shall be open at such times and at such locations
as determined by the Municipal Judge, subject to the provisions of
§ 755.09, Wis. Stats. The City of Watertown shall provide
a courtroom in the Municipal Building of the City of Watertown. The
Municipal Court Clerk shall maintain his or her office in the Municipal
Building of the City of Watertown and shall be under the supervision
of the Municipal Judge, and his or her salary shall be part of the
Municipal Court budget commencing with the 2003 budget year.
C.
The procedure of the Municipal Court shall be as provided by Ch.
800, Wis. Stats.
D.
The Municipal Judge may impose a sanction authorized under § 800.12(2),
Wis. Stats., for contempt of court, as defined in § 785.01(1),
Wis. Stats., in accordance with the procedures under § 785.03,
Wis. Stats. The Municipal Judge may impose a forfeiture for contempt
in an amount not to exceed $200 or, upon nonpayment of the forfeiture,
penalty assessment under § 757.05, Wis. Stats.; jail assessment
under § 302.46, Wis. Stats.; crime laboratories and drug
law enforcement assessment under § 165.755, Wis. Stats.;
any applicable consumer protection assessment under § 100.261,
Wis. Stats.; and any applicable domestic abuse assessment under § 973.055(1),
Wis. Stats.; with a jail sentence not to exceed seven days.
[Amended 10-4-2016 by Ord. No. 16-18]
A.
The Municipal Judge may impose punishment and sentences as provided
by Ch. 800, Wis. Stats., and as provided in the ordinances of the
City of Watertown. All forfeitures, fees, assessments and costs shall
be paid to the City Treasurer within 30 days after receipt of the
money by the Judge or other court personnel, and at the time of payment,
the Judge shall report to the City Treasurer the title of the action,
the offense for which a forfeiture was imposed and the total amount
of the forfeiture, fees, assessments and costs, if any, as required
by § 800.10(2), Wis. Stats.
[Amended 10-4-2016 by Ord. No. 16-18; 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-63]
B.
On a monthly basis, the Municipal Judge shall also report to the
Treasurer the title, nature of offenses and total amount of judgments
imposed in actions and proceedings in which money was collected.
[Amended 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-63]
C.
The Municipal Judge shall account for those cases where judgment
has been entered but the forfeiture has not been paid. The terms of
a payment deferral shall be listed. The Municipal Judge shall also
account for the suspension of operating privileges or jail sentences
entered for nonpayment of forfeitures and shall list the amount due.
[Amended 10-4-2016 by Ord. No. 16-18; 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-63]
The Municipal Judge shall establish and submit to the Common
Council for approval a bond deposit schedule. When approved, copies
shall be kept in the offices of the City Clerk and Police Department.
[Amended 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-63]
The Municipal Judge shall, in writing, appoint such Clerks and
Deputy Clerks as are authorized by the Common Council, as provided
in § 755.10, Wis. Stats. Their salaries shall be fixed by
the Common Council. The Clerks shall, before entering upon the duties
of their offices, take the oath provided by § 19.01, Wis.
Stats., and give a bond if required by the Common Council. The cost
of the bond shall be paid by the municipality. Oaths and bonds of
the Clerks shall be filed with the Municipal Clerk.
