Reschedule a Court Date

If you want to change your court date because of something you can't control, you or your attorney must request a change before your court date.

You can request a change to your court date one of the following ways:

  • Email: municipalcourt@cityofmadison.com
  • Mail:
    Madison Municipal Court
    210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 203
    Madison, WI 53703
  • Fax: (608) 266-5930
  • Phone: (608) 264-9282

First Requests

If all of the following statements are true, you do not have to appear on your original court date:

  • This is your first request to change your court date
  • The court date is not a trial or motion hearing date
  • The court receives your request before your original court date

The court will tell you the new court date by mail, email, or phone.

Second Requests

If this is your second request, you must request a change in writing to the Municipal Court. Include the specific reasons for the request. You must appear on the originally scheduled date unless you hear otherwise from the court before that date.

Trials & Motion Hearings

To request a change of a trial date, you must request a change in writing to the Municipal Court. Include the specific reasons for the request, and give a copy of the request to the City Attorney's Office. Make your request as soon as you discover that there is a problem with the scheduled trial date. Except for extraordinary circumstances, you must make the request at least ten days before the scheduled trial date.

Normally, the court will approve your request as long as it is the first request and you request the change within ten days of your trial. However, the court will be very hesitant to approve a second request or a late request, unless there are exceptional reasons.

The court will always decide if your request is approved or not. You must appear on the originally scheduled trial date unless you hear otherwise from the court before that date. 

Missed Court Dates

If you do not appear on your court date or trial date, a default judgment will be entered against you. Depending on the type of charge, the judge may order:

  • Suspension or revocation of your driver's license
  • Suspension of your vehicle registration
  • Referral to a collection agency
  • Interception of your tax refund
  • Arrest warrant