Star Prairie votes to abolish municipal court

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New requirements for cities, towns and villages with municipal courts caused the Village of Star Prairie to eliminate its local court.

The board unanimously voted to abolish the court at its regular board meeting on March 2.

Some of the required changes include providing a separate office and phone number for the judge and clerk of courts. Currently, court is held in the village clerk’s office.

Judge Eva Hansen’s term ends May 1. After that, the office of the judge will be eliminated and all future court cases will be referred to the county.

“The board’s consensus was that it shouldn’t be costing the village residents money,” said Clerk Patsy Johnson.

In 2010, the village paid about $3,000 to have a municipal court.

Johnson said the judge’s seat that’s being vacated by Hansen in the spring will still be on the ballot in April because the paperwork has already been filed.

Todd Naylor was the only candidate for the municipal judge position.

Tags: local government, star prairie, news, wisconsin