Barron County Jail Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Barron County Wisconsin
The city of Barron is the county seat, and every criminal case filed in Barron County is heard at the Barron County Justice Center on State Highway 25 North. The Barron County Circuit Court has three branches, and six municipal courts (Barron, Cameron, Chetek, Cumberland, Rice Lake and Turtle Lake) handle local ordinance tickets for their own communities. The elected Barron County District Attorney prosecutes crimes in circuit court. Adults who are arrested and not released are held by the Sheriff at the Barron County Jail, which shares the Justice Center building with the courts, and families post any cash bail there or with the clerk.
- Barron County Circuit Court (Branches 1, 2 and 3), Barron County Justice Center, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron, WI 54812; Clerk of Circuit Court (715) 537-6265
- Barron County District Attorney, Justice Center, Room 2301, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron, WI 54812, (715) 537-6220
- Barron County Sheriff's Office, Justice Center, Room 1200, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron, WI 54812, (715) 537-3106
- Barron County Jail, Barron County Justice Center, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron, WI 54812, (715) 537-3106
- Wisconsin State Public Defender, Chippewa Falls office (the trial office assigned to Barron County), 10 North Bridge Street, Suite 200, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, (715) 908-8473
- Barron County Department of Health and Human Services (juvenile intake and children's services), 335 East Monroe Avenue, Room 338, Barron, WI 54812, (715) 537-6359
Which court hears your case. An ordinance citation, or a first-offense OWI (a civil forfeiture in Wisconsin rather than a crime, unless a passenger under 16 was in the vehicle), goes to the municipal court of the city or village where the stop happened if that place has one; Rice Lake, Barron, Chetek, Cumberland, Cameron and Turtle Lake do. Tickets written in towns, in other villages or by the Sheriff and State Patrol on county and state roads go to the circuit court instead. Misdemeanors and criminal traffic charges, such as a second OWI or driving after revocation, are filed in the Barron County Circuit Court, where criminal cases are divided among Branches 1, 2 and 3. Felonies stay in that same court from the initial appearance through the preliminary hearing, arraignment and trial.
Where pretrial inmates are held. The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail inside the Justice Center in Barron, so people booked in Rice Lake, Cumberland or any other part of the county end up in the same building where their first court hearing takes place. People serving county sentences may be allowed Huber release for work or treatment. To ask whether someone is in custody, or how much is owed to get them out, call the Sheriff's Office at (715) 537-3106.
- Local courts in Barron County (circuit court and municipal courts)
- Misdemeanor (for example, theft, battery, disorderly conduct, a second OWI)
- Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession with intent to deliver, substantial battery)
- Violent felony (for example, homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery)
- Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Barron County
- Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Barron County
Local courts in Barron County (circuit court and municipal courts)
Barron County has more municipal courts than most counties its size in northwest Wisconsin. Each one is part-time, run by an elected municipal judge, and limited to violations of local ordinances, which carry money forfeitures rather than jail. A municipal judge can order jail only as a way to enforce a forfeiture that goes unpaid. In some situations a defendant can ask to have a municipal case moved to the circuit court, for example by requesting a jury, so it is worth reading the citation and asking the clerk before the first date.
Circuit court
- Barron County Circuit Court, Barron County Justice Center, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron, WI 54812. Branch 1 (Room 2601), Branch 2 (Room 2602) and Branch 3 (Room 2603). Clerk of Circuit Court, criminal and traffic filings, (715) 537-6265.
Municipal courts
- Rice Lake Municipal Court (city of Rice Lake), 30 East Eau Claire Street, Rice Lake, WI 54868, (715) 234-1989
- Barron Municipal Court (city of Barron), P.O. Box 156, Barron, WI 54812, (715) 537-5631
- Chetek Municipal Court (city of Chetek), P.O. Box 537, Chetek, WI 54728, (715) 925-1051
- Cumberland Municipal Court (city of Cumberland), 900 First Avenue, Cumberland, WI 54829, (715) 822-3646
- Cameron Municipal Court (joint court for the village of Cameron and the town of Stanley), 300 North First Street, Cameron, WI 54822, (715) 458-2117
- Turtle Lake Municipal Court (joint court for the village of Turtle Lake and the village and town of Almena), P.O. Box 11, Turtle Lake, WI 54889, (715) 986-2241
- The village of New Auburn, which lies mostly in Chippewa County, has its own municipal court at P.O. Box 100, New Auburn, WI 54757, (715) 237-2423; ask that clerk whether a ticket from the Barron County side belongs there.
Prosecutor, defense and law enforcement
- Barron County District Attorney, Justice Center, Room 2301, Barron, (715) 537-6220
- State Public Defender, Chippewa Falls office, 10 North Bridge Street, Suite 200, Chippewa Falls, (715) 908-8473. Barron County no longer has its own trial office; Chippewa Falls staff and private lawyers under contract handle the county's appointments.
- Barron County Sheriff's Office, which operates the Barron County Jail, Justice Center, Room 1200, Barron, (715) 537-3106
- Rice Lake Police Department, 34 South Wilson Avenue, Rice Lake, WI 54868, (715) 234-2116
- Barron Police Department, 1456 East LaSalle Avenue, Barron, WI 54812, (715) 537-3101
- Chetek Police Department, 101 Moore Street, Chetek, WI 54728, (715) 924-4711
- Cumberland Police Department, 950 First Avenue, Cumberland, WI 54829, (715) 822-2754
- Cameron Police Department, 300 North First Street, Cameron, WI 54822, (715) 458-2117
- Turtle Lake Police Department, 114 Martin Avenue East, Turtle Lake, WI 54889, (715) 986-2241
- Juvenile intake: Barron County Department of Health and Human Services, 335 East Monroe Avenue, Barron, (715) 537-6359
Misdemeanor (for example, theft, battery, disorderly conduct, a second OWI)
Retail theft in Rice Lake, bar fights, domestic disturbances and repeat drunk-driving stops on Highway 53 make up a large share of the misdemeanor calendar in Barron.
From booking to the first hearing
An officer can cite and release a person for many misdemeanors. Someone taken into custody is booked at the Barron County Jail, where fingerprints, photos and a records check are done. Many people leave on a signature bond, a written promise to appear that can carry a dollar amount owed only if they miss court. Wisconsin has no commercial bondsmen; if a judge or court commissioner sets cash, the full amount is paid at the jail or the clerk's office by the defendant or a relative. After a domestic abuse arrest, the person must stay away from the alleged victim's home and avoid contact for 72 hours unless the victim waives that in writing. Anyone still in custody generally sees a judge or court commissioner at an initial appearance within about 48 hours, often by video from the jail.
Lawyers and court dates
At the initial appearance the defendant hears the charge, gets a copy of the complaint, and enters a plea or asks for time. People who cannot afford a lawyer apply to the State Public Defender, either through jail staff or by calling the Chippewa Falls office at (715) 908-8473; the SPD's financial test is strict, and a judge may appoint a lawyer at county expense for someone who falls just outside it. Most misdemeanors then move through a pretrial conference with the assistant district attorney.
What the example charges carry in Barron County
- Theft of property worth $2,500 or less: Class A misdemeanor, punishable in a Barron County courtroom by up to 9 months in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
- Battery: also Class A. A domestic abuse label adds a surcharge and can bar firearm possession.
- Disorderly conduct: Class B, with a 90-day jail cap and fines up to $1,000.
- Second OWI within 10 years: a criminal misdemeanor with a mandatory 5 days to 6 months in jail, a fine, license revocation and an ignition interlock order. A first OWI is a civil forfeiture of $150 to $300 plus costs, with a 6- to 9-month revocation and an alcohol assessment, and it goes to municipal court if the stop happened in one of the six municipalities with a court.
- Class C misdemeanors carry up to 30 days and $500.
Barron County misdemeanor trials, when they happen, are decided by six jurors. Typical outcomes include dismissal, a deferred prosecution agreement, a fine, probation, or county jail time with Huber privileges so the person can keep working. A defendant who demands a speedy trial can generally expect a misdemeanor trial within about 60 days, but most cases resolve in two to six months.
Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession with intent to deliver, substantial battery)
Methamphetamine cases make up a steady part of the felony caseload in Barron County, along with burglaries of cabins and farm buildings and thefts from employers. The District Attorney decides what to charge after reviewing police reports from the Sheriff and the city departments.
Steps in a Barron County felony
- Complaint and initial appearance. The DA files a criminal complaint, and the defendant appears before a judge or court commissioner, who reviews probable cause and sets conditions of release and any cash bail. Under a 2023 amendment to the state constitution, judges may weigh the risk of serious harm to the public when setting cash bail for people charged with violent crimes.
- Preliminary hearing. If the defendant is held because they cannot pay the amount set, the hearing is supposed to start within 10 days; otherwise within 20 days. The judge decides only whether there is probable cause that a felony was committed. Many defendants waive this hearing as part of negotiations.
- Information and arraignment. After a bindover, the DA files an information, and the defendant enters a plea at arraignment in one of the three branches.
- Plea or trial. Most felonies end in a plea agreement. A jury trial uses 12 jurors whose verdict must be unanimous; a speedy trial demand generally requires trial within 90 days.
- Sentencing. The judge may order a presentence investigation from the Department of Corrections before choosing between probation, county jail as a condition of probation, or prison.
Maximum penalties for the example charges
- Burglary: Class F felony, punishable by up to 12 years and 6 months and a $25,000 fine.
- Felony theft: Class I (up to 3 years 6 months) for more than $2,500 up to $5,000; Class H (up to 6 years) above $5,000 up to $10,000; Class G (up to 10 years) above $10,000.
- Possession with intent to deliver: the class depends on the drug and weight; methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl cases climb from Class F up to Class C (40 years) at the highest amounts.
- Substantial battery: Class I. If great bodily harm results, the charge can rise to aggravated battery, a Class H felony, or Class E with a 15-year cap where that harm was the aim.
Under truth in sentencing, a Barron County prison sentence has two parts, initial confinement and extended supervision, and parole does not exist for crimes committed after 1999. A judge may find a defendant eligible for the Challenge Incarceration Program or the Substance Abuse Program, which can shorten the confinement portion. Terms of more than a year are served with the Department of Corrections. Six months to a year is a common span for a felony case.
Violent felony (for example, homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery)
Barron County sees few homicides, but serious assaults and sexual assault cases reach the circuit court every year, often investigated by the Sheriff with help from the state Division of Criminal Investigation. A person accused of a violent felony is usually held at the Barron County Jail on a high cash bail with strict no-contact conditions.
Sentencing ranges in Barron
- First-degree intentional homicide: Class A, with a life sentence the court must impose. The judge decides whether the defendant may ever be released to extended supervision and, if so, sets the earliest date.
- Second-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide: Class B felonies, each exposing a Barron County defendant to as much as 60 years.
- First-degree sexual assault: Class B, up to 60 years; when the victim is a young child, certain charges carry mandatory minimum confinement.
- Armed robbery: Class C, which permits a prison term of up to 40 years along with a fine as high as $100,000. Robbery without a weapon is Class E.
Wisconsin abolished capital punishment in 1853, so no Barron County case can lead to a death sentence.
What to expect
The steps match other felonies, but discovery, lab work, competency or mental health evaluations and expert witnesses stretch the timeline, and one to two years from charge to verdict is common. Public defender appointments in serious cases are often handled by experienced SPD staff attorneys from Chippewa Falls. Victims hold rights under Marsy's Law, the 2020 amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution, including notice of hearings and the right to be heard at sentencing; the victim/witness staff in the District Attorney's office can be reached at (715) 537-6220.
Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Barron County
In Wisconsin, a 17-year-old charged with a crime goes to adult court. Juvenile court, which in Barron County is one of the circuit court branches sitting as juvenile court, handles delinquency cases for youths aged 10 through 16.
Intake
When police refer a juvenile, an intake worker with the Barron County Department of Health and Human Services ((715) 537-6359) decides whether to close the matter, offer a deferred prosecution agreement, or recommend a formal delinquency petition, which the District Attorney files. If intake decides to keep the child in secure custody, a judge or court commissioner should hold a custody hearing within 24 hours of that decision, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
Secure detention
Barron County has no juvenile detention center of its own. Counties in this part of the state typically hold detained youths at a regional facility, such as the Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Eau Claire, 721 Oxford Avenue. Health and Human Services intake can confirm where a particular child has been placed.
Possible results
- A deferred prosecution agreement or a consent decree, which suspends the case while the youth follows set rules.
- A delinquency finding followed by supervision at home, counseling, restitution or community service.
- Out-of-home placement, including a Type 2 placement under county supervision, or Type 1 commitment to Lincoln Hills School (boys) or Copper Lake School (girls) near Irma.
- The Serious Juvenile Offender program for the gravest offenses, which can last up to five years.
When a juvenile case moves to adult court
The DA can ask the juvenile court to waive its jurisdiction for some youths 14 and older, depending on the offense and the child's record. Adult court also has original jurisdiction, without a waiver hearing, over a child 10 or older accused of attempted or completed first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide or felony murder, and over some juveniles previously found delinquent who are accused of certain new crimes. The State Public Defender represents eligible children regardless of family income. Juvenile records are generally kept confidential.
Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Barron County
Barron County is part of the Western District of Wisconsin. Federal criminal cases from the county are filed with the clerk in Madison, about 200 miles to the southeast, and hearings are generally held there.
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 120 North Henry Street, Room 320, Madison, WI 53703, (608) 264-5156
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Wisconsin, 222 West Washington Avenue, Suite 700, Madison, WI 53703, (608) 264-5158
- Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin, Madison office, 22 East Mifflin Street, Suite 1000, Madison, WI 53703, (608) 260-9900; Criminal Justice Act panel lawyers take conflict cases
What makes a Barron County case federal
Investigations of methamphetamine supply lines running between the Twin Cities and northwest Wisconsin are a common source of federal charges here, as are firearm possession by people with felony records, bank robbery, online child exploitation and fraud. The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin are reported to hold scattered trust parcels in and around the county, including near Turtle Lake. Wisconsin is a Public Law 280 state, so state courts, not federal courts, handle most crimes on those lands; the tribe also runs its own tribal court.
The federal process
After arrest, the defendant appears before a U.S. magistrate judge, hears the charge, and is appointed counsel if they qualify. Federal court does not use money bail the way the circuit court does: under the Bail Reform Act, the judge either releases the person on conditions monitored by U.S. Pretrial Services or orders detention, and a detention hearing is usually held within three court days of the government's request. When agents start the case with a criminal complaint, prosecutors have 30 days to obtain a grand jury indictment. The Speedy Trial Act sets a 70-day trial clock that is frequently extended.
Most defendants plead guilty. Trials use a 12-person jury that must be unanimous. Before sentencing, a probation officer writes a presentence report; the judge calculates the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and applies any mandatory minimum, such as those in many drug-quantity cases. There is no parole in the federal system, prisoners serve roughly 85 percent of the term with the Bureau of Prisons, and supervised release follows. A Barron County defendant convicted in Madison appeals to the Seventh Circuit, which sits in Chicago.
Locating someone in federal custody
The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator lets you search by name or register number. A federal defendant awaiting trial in a county jail under a U.S. Marshals contract may also show up on that jail's inmate roster. Federal prosecution of juveniles from Barron County is rare.
This guide offers general information about criminal cases in Barron County and is not legal advice; court practices, municipal court arrangements and contacts can change. For advice about a specific charge, speak with a Wisconsin-licensed defense attorney. To apply for a public defender, call the State Public Defender's Chippewa Falls office at (715) 908-8473; to learn whether someone is in custody, call the Barron County Sheriff's Office at (715) 537-3106.
Criminal Court Process for Barron County Wisconsin
Barron County Wisconsin Criminal Court System – Definitions
It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Wisconsin Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.
If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Barron County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.
Arrest is when Wisconsin, Barron County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed.
In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Barron County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.
Booking is when the Barron County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation, and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested can “bail or bond out” before being detained.
The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that presses the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Wisconsin, Barron County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Barron County or the district is called the District Attorney or Assistant District Attorney. A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.
Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case. For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case. If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime. Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.
Arraignment is when a judge determines whether the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.
Bail is money paid that is held by the Barron County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment. Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Barron County Jail until their trial.
Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or municipal court sets bail. Judges in Wisconsin rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.
Wisconsin is one of a few states that does not allow posting bail for profit, meaning that a court or bondsman cannot charge a percentage of the bond as in other states. If the defendant fails to appear in court when required to, the police or sheriff’s office will be given a warrant to arrest the defendant.
If the defendant is not released on their own recognizance, the Barron County court will allow the defendant, family or friend to pay up to 10% of the bail/bond amount. If the defendant does not appear in court, the court keeps the 10% and the court could demand the full bail amount and place an arrest warrant through the sheriff’s department.
If possible, it is important to have family involvement after being arrested. Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf, but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases, and certain appeal cases.
If the arrested cannot afford a lawyer, the Wisconsin court would assign indigent representation, usually called a public defender in Wisconsin or a contracted attorney in special cases to represent the person for free or a small fee or a reduced rate. A right to an attorney is in the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; that all people that are going to be heard in trial are entitled to be represented by a lawyer and if they cannot afford one, the court will provide one.
Indigent representation is available for juvenile cases, certain appeals, misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time. In Wisconsin, a violation does not result in jail time, so the State of Wisconsin is not obligated to provide an attorney. In Wisconsin, all indigent defense is funded by the state and not the county. The following link will take you to the Wisconsin State Public Defender site.
For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. The State Bar of Wisconsin offers a webpage regarding pro bono and reduced rate attorney services at the following link.
Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se. Here is a link for legal self-help in Wisconsin.
The following link provides self-help information for juvenile matters.
A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are in the community. A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There are two U.S. federal district courts in Wisconsin, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.
Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered. This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.
Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings. A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment. The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty. There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a more serious criminal related to the crime.
Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial. If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial. If the defendant is found not guilty, they are released. If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.
Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.
Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court. If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.
Wisconsin Misdemeanor vs Felony
In Wisconsin, a misdemeanor is divided into Class A or B or C. Examples of misdemeanors are trespassing, simple assault, petty theft and shoplifting.
- Class A misdemeanors have punishments of jail for up to 9 months and/or pay a fine up to $10,000.
- Class B misdemeanors have punishments of jail for up to 90 days and/or pay a fine up to $1000.
- Class C misdemeanors have punishments up to 30 days and fines up to $500.
A felony crime is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and are divided into different classes which are general guidelines and are based on the crime, prior criminal history and other factors. Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft.
In Wisconsin, felonies are divided into 9 classes.
- Class A being the most serious that results in life imprisonment.
- Class B has a maximum sentence of 60 years in state prison.
- Class C has a maximum sentence of 40 years in state prison and/or $100,000 fine.
- Class D has a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison and/or $100,000 fine.
- Class E has a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison and/or $50,000 fine.
- Class F has a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison and/or $25.000.
- Class G has a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and/or $25,000 fine.
- Class H has a maximum sentence of 6 years in state prison and /or $10,000 fine and
- Class I has a maximum sentence of 3 ½ years in state prison and/or a fine of $10,000.
The Barron County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.
A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement. There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime.
A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date. It does not involve an arrest. A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.
A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.
Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Barron County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, must pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest. It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket.
Wisconsin Criminal Court System - How it Works
Municipal courts are the same as a city or town court and handle violations of city ordinances (city laws), traffic violations, parking violations and criminal misdemeanor offenses such as disorderly conduct, underage drinking and trespassing that occur within the city or towns police jurisdiction. There are 229 municipal courts in Wisconsin and some towns use a court jointly.
Circuit courts handle misdemeanors and felonies from beginning (preliminary hearings) to end (settlement or trial). Circuit courts also handle some traffic matters and juvenile cases.
Specialty Courts serve people who would benefit from alcohol, drug and other rehabilitative services. Wisconsin offers a problem-solving court that oversees specialty courts as drug treatment, OWI, mental health, juvenile, domestic violence and veterans courts.
The Wisconsin Courts of Appeal will hear cases and correct errors or allow information from the lower courts that lead to the appeal. They do not hear the case as if it were new.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is a question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.
The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.
FEDERAL COURT
Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws. Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.
Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime.
There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Wisconsin state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).
Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.
There are two U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Wisconsin.
