What is Fresh Start?
​Fresh Start is a Grant County program that works with the circuit court to help educate individuals who receive citations for underage alcohol violations. The program offers access to a 12 hour online course for alcohol awareness. Successful participation in the program can remove a citation from your court record and allow you to avoid fines, suspension of your driver's license and increased insurance rates.
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Who can take Fresh Start?
Individuals between the ages of 13 and 20 who have received citations for Underage Possession or Consumption under WI Statute 125.07(4)(b). An individual is only allowed to take the class one time, whether the final outcome is a pass or fail. The program does reserve the right to deny a student's registration based on their behavior during their incident as well as other concerns that may be brought up by the department that issued the citation.
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What Happens After I Pass the Class?
After completing the 12 hour online class your citation will be dismissed after one year or when you turn 21 IF you do not reoffend. If you reoffend the citation associated with your class and your new citation will remain on your record and you will be responsible for all fines associated.
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What Happens if I Don't Pass The Class or Choose Not To Take the Class?
All citations will remain on your court record. You will be responsible for all fines and court fees associated with your citation. Your drivers license will be suspended by the WI DOT and your vehicle insurance may go up.
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How to I Sign Up for Fresh Start?
Navigate to the Registration tab in the site menu above. Use the ACI Payment link to submit your $75 registration fee. After submitting the fee, complete the registration form on the Registration page and submit. Once your Registration fee and Registration form are received we will send an email with instructions for the online class. The class website will require a separate fee of $65. Please note that receipt of the online payments is sent to us the following day, so you may not hear back from us the same day you submit your registration. The registration fee is non-refundable. By signing up for the program it is your choice and responsibility to complete your class.
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Why Are the Class Fees Split?
Fresh Start used to require in person classes. With many students being from throughout the tri-state area, it was becoming increasingly difficult for students to attend in person classes due to not living in or going to school in the area. At the end of 2021, the switch was made from in person to online classes. Now that the classes are online, the learning platform requires their fee to be paid directly by the student, so the program fee and class fee are now separate.
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What If My Court Date Has Already Passed?
If your court date has already passed you are still allowed to register and take the class, however the Judge assigned to your court case decides whether or not to accept the completion. There is no guarantee that completing the class after your court date will get your citation dismissed, but it is your choice whether you would like to complete the class.
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