If you’ve got city tickets, here’s your “LAST” chance to reduce or resolve them! (Seriously, you have lots more chances. Don’t believe the hype.) Don’t. believe. the. hype.
Ok, before we get started here, if you have this problem, at any point you can write a letter to the municipal court and ask to get community service if you can’t pay your tickets and it will most likely be granted. Technically there is a $40 fee to re-look at your case, but if you don’t have the money, they will likely waive that too. So, this whole thing by the police department seems a little odd to me . . . but they are reaching out to people who wouldn’t otherwise know this . . . so I guess its a good thing. the note on the flyer says . . . “Questions? Can’t Attend? You can always set up payment plans or payment alternatives by contacting the Madison Municipal court by mail, phone or email at Madison Municipal Court, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Room 203, Madison, WI 53703. 608-264-9282: municipalcourt@cityofmadison.com”
Also, the planning for the last one seems to have gone terribly wrong. Due to computer problems, they had to send city attorneys back to the office to relay information over the phone to the city attorneys who were still at the event . . . cutting their capacity in half . . . so hopefully they fix that.
They gave us a little more warning this time . . . well, 5 days notice. Nevermind, I think that was the same as last time. My favorite line in the flyer is “Opportunity will be limited” You have to check-in between 1:00 and 2:00 at the Villager – 2026 S. Park St., Madison, WI. “First come, first served.” Tons of people got turned away last time, and they wouldn’t let me in.
For these reasons, I don’t think I would bother attending, since the likelihood of being turned away is great. Just write a letter to the court proposing a payment plan or community service and avoid the wait and the hassle. I’ve written the letters, there are no magic words, just tell the court how much you think you owe, they let you have $10 per hour for community service and they will reduce your fines if you follow through after a period of time. For anyone reading this who wants help with that, just email me.
