While reducing crime and proactively addressing juvenile offenses are important to our community, it is important to be clear about the impact the Wauwatosa municipal court can actually have on these issues and avoid scaring voters. The municipal court does not hear criminal cases, only civil cases, and the fact is only a very small percentage (2.5%) of the cases in Wauwatosa municipal court involve juveniles. That said, these are important cases for impacting a young defendant and, as municipal judge, I will consider appropriate options in each case. This is an opportunity to intervene and assist a juvenile who may be struggling. But what a county circuit court is able to order and what the municipal court can order are different. Let’s not lose sight of what the municipal court actually is: a community-based court for civil violations.
My experience with civil cases and, specifically, traffic violations is the experience needed for this court. Check out this article below to have a better understanding of municipal courts.