Stoughton municipal court clears a night of initial appearances; OWI amendment declined pending review

Stoughton — The Stoughton Municipal Court heard a sequence of initial-appearance cases, with the presiding judge reviewing defendants’ rights and the city attorney present to offer plea resolutions.

The court opened by explaining that tonight’s session covered initial appearances and that defendants could plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. City attorney Noah Dregny appeared throughout the docket to move amendments and recommend sentencing.

In several routine traffic matters the court approved plea deals. Alyssa Dortch accepted the city’s offer to amend an unsafe-backing citation to "impeding traffic by slow speed" (Wis. Stat. 346.59) and entered a no contest plea; the judge found a factual basis and ordered a forfeiture and costs totaling $86.20. "I get 2 points off my license. I pay $86 and some change, and I don't have to take any class," Dortch told the court after the offer was explained.

Brenda Kasmar pleaded no contest to inattentive driving and was ordered to pay the citation amount of $111.40. David Berndt pleaded guilty after the city amended a speeding charge to impeding traffic; his forfeiture was set at $86.20.

The court offered alternatives for a low-income defendant in a retail-theft matter. Antonio Castro’s citation was amended to theft of movable property; he pled no contest, and the judge ordered restitution of $70 to the victim. Because Castro reported receiving Supplemental Security Income and limited cash flow, the court converted the forfeiture portion to 19 hours of community service over 90 days while clarifying that the $70 restitution must be paid in money.

Several cases were continued for pretrial phone conferences on April 15 so defendants could consult with the city attorney. Hayden Hammond, Emily McDonnell, Carla Hansen (spelled "Hansen" and "Hanson" at different points in the record), Korea Rose and Angelica Gerard were all scheduled for April 15 pretrial conferences after the court entered pleas of not guilty on their behalf to allow further discussion with the city.

Emily McDonnell’s case — which included operating while intoxicated and a prohibited BAC reading of 0.15 — drew particular scrutiny. The city proposed amending the prohibited-BAC count to 0.149 and dismissing two related citations. After reviewing the timing of the breath test versus the defendant’s last reported drink, the judge said the evidence suggested the BAC at the time of driving likely exceeded 0.15 and declined to accept the amendment at that time, instead entering not guilty pleas and scheduling a pretrial conference. The judge warned that the court is not bound to adopt the city’s recommendation and that statutory consequences (including a possible ignition-interlock requirement) could apply if a conviction were entered.

Language access was provided for Spanish-speaking defendants through LanguageLine Solutions; an interpreter (identified in the record as Sophia, ID 362352) translated for Victor Jimenez Guevara during his appearance. Jimenez Guevara pleaded and was ordered to pay a forfeiture and costs totaling $187 with 30 days to pay.

Other outcomes included dismissals where appropriate: a citation for Brinley Schmidt (underage possession) was dismissed because the defendant had just turned 21; Cameron Hess’s insurance-related charge was dismissed after he produced proof of coverage; and Rory Johnson’s citation for driving while suspended was dismissed after he showed he now holds an active license.

The judge also announced that defendants scheduled for the 5:00 p.m. docket who were not called would be found guilty by default and judgments entered for the amounts shown on their citations. The court noted an ongoing collection matter involving a repeat defendant (Mr. Hammes) and asked the city to pursue further collection or enforcement options ahead of the next adult court night.

The session concluded after the court resolved pleas, set multiple pretrial conferences for April 15 and instructed defendants on payment and notification obligations. Spanish-language forms and mailing logistics were raised in connection with several cases.

What’s next: Several matters remain set for pretrial conferences on April 15 to allow defendants and the city attorney to discuss potential resolutions; the court left open the possibility of adopting plea amendments in light of further documentation or city memos.