Traffic Citations: 

The date on your citation is the date of your initial appearance. This is when you will be required to enter a plea of “not guilty”, “guilty”’ or “no contest” to the citation. Your citation will indicate whether or not your appearance is required. 

If your citation states your appearance is required, you must appear at the date and time indicated on the citation. Failure to appear will result in a warrant for your arrest. 

If your citation states your appearance is not required and you fail to appear on a citation, the court official will consider your nonappearance and nonpayment a plea of no contest, make a finding that you are guilty as charged and impose a forfeiture in the amount listed on the citation issued to you. You will receive written notification of the conviction approximately ten (10) working days after the Initial Appearance. The penalty payment must be made to the Clerk of Court's Office within 60 days of conviction. If you cannot make payment within 60 days, you may contact the Accounting/Collections Division at (608) 743-2216 to see if you are eligible for deferred payments. Contact must be made prior to the court ordered payment due date.  

For voluntary appearance citations, you may choose to plead not guilty without appearing in court. If you are not represented by an attorney and wish to enter a Not Guilty Plea, you may send an email to Rock.Traffic@wicourts.gov, mail your plea to Rock County Clerk of Court, 51 S. Main St., Janesville, WI 53545, fax your plea to (608) 743-2223, or enter your plea in person at the Rock County Clerk of Court's Office. When entering a Not Guilty Plea, you must include your full name, address, phone number, your written plea, and the date you are scheduled to appear. All Not Guilty Pleas must be entered prior to the hearing date and time listed on the citation.  

Please note that Clerk of Court staff cannot advise you on what actions you should take on your traffic citation, or the respective consequences of each action.