In Wisconsin, the cost of a speeding ticket varies based on the location of the violation and the court enforcing the ticket. Generally speeding tickets range from $100-$350, depending on the exact speed you were going. In addition to this fine, you will likely be subject to a series of surcharges that go to fund state programs.
Speeding Ticket Surcharges
The following is a breakdown of these speeding ticket surcharges:
- Court services fee: $68. This goes to the state to pay for court costs associated with the ticket.
- Court cost: $25. Part of this goes to the state, part goes to the county to cover general court costs.
- Crime lab fee: $13. To keep up crime and drug labs in the state.
- Penalty assessment: 26% of the base fee. This is distributed amongst various state departments.
- Jail Assessment: $10 or 1% of the base fee (the greater of the two). Used to repair county jails.
- Justice information system fee: $21.50. Used to help transition the justice system into an electronic format.
Other, more specific, fees can be added based on the circumstances of the speeding infraction. For example, there is an extra surcharge for commercial truck drivers, as well as one for infractions involving railroads.
Speeding Ticket Example
So let’s break down these surcharges with an example. Let’s say you are pulled over in Madison for doing 61 mph in a 50 mph zone. For the sake of this example (and making the math easy), let’s say the base speeding ticket fine was $100. Let’s also assume that there were no additional factors that would tack on more than the standard list of surcharges. With that being the case, here is a breakdown of the charges:
- Base ticket fee: $100
- Court services fee: $68
- Court cost: $25
- Crime lab fee: $13
- Penalty assessment: $26
- Jail assessment: $10
- Justice information fee: $21.50
- TOTAL: $263.50
That’s a general breakdown of the fees associated with a speeding ticket in Wisconsin. If you are issued a ticket you have two options: pay the fines, or fight the ticket in court. If you choose the latter, it’s important to speak with a traffic defense attorney to go over your options. The good news is that most offer free initial case reviews! Check out our slideshare on the topic as well: [slideshare id=28207010&style=border:1px solid #CCC;border-width:1px 1px 0;margin-bottom:5px&sc=no]
