345.40 Pleading. A citation which complies with s. 345.11 or a complaint which complies with the appropriate provisions of ch. 968 may be used as the initial pleading, or the municipal judge, clerk or a deputy of the clerk may enter upon the records of the court a statement of the offense charged, which shall stand as a complaint, unless the court directs that formal complaint be made. Several counts may be joined in one complaint or a separate complaint may be prepared for each separate violation. The defendant's plea shall be guilty, no contest or not guilty and shall be entered as not guilty upon failure to plead. A plea of not guilty shall put all matters in such case at issue.
History: 1971 c. 278; 1985 a. 332.
Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 345 - Vehicles — civil and criminal liability.
345.01 - Words and phrases defined.
345.05 - Municipal liability for motor vehicle accidents.
345.06 - Owner's liability for act of operator.
345.07 - Civil actions by secretary.
345.08 - Suit to recover protested tax or fee.
345.09 - Service of process on nonresident.
345.11 - Uniform traffic citation.
345.17 - Penalty for false statements.
345.18 - Sentencing of juveniles.
345.20 - General provisions in traffic forfeiture actions.
345.21 - Authority to arrest with a warrant.
345.22 - Authority to arrest without a warrant.
345.23 - Officer's action after arrest without a warrant.
345.24 - Officer's action after arrest for driving under influence of intoxicant.
345.255 - Deposit after release.
345.27 - Information to persons charged.
345.28 - Nonmoving violations.
345.285 - Alternative traffic violation and registration pilot program.
345.31 - Venue in traffic regulation actions.
345.32 - Initial appearance before judge.
345.36 - Not guilty plea; failure to appear.
345.37 - Procedure on default of appearance.
345.375 - Judgment against a corporation or limited liability company.
345.38 - Effect of plea of no contest.
345.42 - Preliminary proceedings.
345.422 - No guardian ad litem.
345.47 - Judgment of forfeitures, costs, fees, and surcharges.
345.48 - Reporting pending appeal.
345.49 - Procedure on imprisonment; nonpayment of forfeiture, costs, fees, or surcharges.
345.51 - Reopening of default judgment.
345.52 - No double prosecution.
345.53 - Costs not taxed against plaintiff.
345.55 - Traffic officers not to profit from arrests.