(1) Any person violating s. 348.185 may be required to forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $20 upon the first conviction and not less than $25 nor more than $50 upon the 2nd and each subsequent conviction within one year.
(2)
(a) Any person who violates s. 348.17 (2) or 348.19 (3) may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $100 upon the first conviction and, upon the 2nd or each subsequent conviction within a 12-month period, may be required to forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $200.
(b) If the load on any wheel, axle or group of axles does not exceed the weight prescribed in s. 348.15 (3) or 348.16 or in a declaration issued under s. 348.175 by more than 2,000 pounds and if such excess can be reloaded within the normal load carrying areas, on any other wheel, axle or axles, so that all wheels and axles are then within the statutory limits, the operator may reload as provided in this paragraph. A total of 2,000 pounds per vehicle or combination of vehicles may be reloaded under this subsection. If reloading is accomplished and all axles or group of axles are within the legal limits, no forfeiture may be imposed. A vehicle or combination of vehicles under this subsection which is not reloaded may continue to be operated upon the highway, but a forfeiture of $50 shall be imposed for failure to reload. This forfeiture shall be paid upon the basis of the citation issued by the official to the court named in the citation. Failure to pay shall subject the operator to the penalty in par. (a) or sub. (3) (a) . Violations under this subsection shall not be considered as violations or prior convictions under par. (a) or sub. (3) (a) or (b) .
(3) Any person violating s. 348.15 or 348.16 or any weight limitation posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) or in a declaration issued under s. 348.175 or authorized under s. 348.17 (3) or (4) or in an overweight permit issued under s. 348.26 or 348.27 may be penalized as follows:
(a) If the weight exceeds by 1,000 pounds or less the maximum set forth in s. 348.15 (3) or 348.16 or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) or in a declaration issued under s. 348.175 or authorized under s. 348.17 (3) or (4) or in an overweight permit issued under s. 348.26 or 348.27 , a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $100 upon the first conviction and, upon the 2nd and each subsequent conviction within a 12-month period, a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $200.
(b) If the weight exceeds by more than 1,000 pounds the maximum set forth in s. 348.15 (3) or 348.16 or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) or in a declaration issued under s. 348.175 or authorized under s. 348.17 (3) or (4) or in an overweight permit issued under s. 348.26 or 348.27 , the forfeiture shall be computed according to the following schedule and in the case of violation of s. 348.15 (3) (bg) or (br) shall be computed on the basis of the weights stated in s. 348.15 (3) (bg) or (br) :
1. For the first conviction, a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $200 plus an amount equal to: 1 cent for each pound of total excess load when the total excess is not over 2,000 pounds; 2 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 2,000 pounds and not over 3,000 pounds; 3 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 3,000 pounds and not over 4,000 pounds; 5 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 4,000 pounds and not over 5,000 pounds; 7 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 5,000 pounds.
2. For the 2nd and each subsequent conviction within a 12-month period, a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $300, plus an amount equal to: 2 cents for each pound of total excess load when the total excess is not over 2,000 pounds; 4 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 2,000 pounds and not over 3,000 pounds; 6 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 3,000 and not over 4,000 pounds; 8 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 4,000 pounds and not over 5,000 pounds; 10 cents for each pound of total excess load if the excess is over 5,000 pounds.
(4) For the purpose of determining a repetitious violator, receipt of a certificate of conviction by the department is prima facie evidence of conviction. In determining whether a 2nd or subsequent conviction has occurred within a given 12-month period, either the original judgment of conviction in a circuit court or a municipal court or the affirmance of the judgment by an appellate court, if the judgment has been affirmed, may be counted. This method of counting is authorized to effectively reach the repetitious violator and to prevent misuse of the right of appeal for the purpose of forestalling imposition of the penalties provided by this section. Forfeiture of deposit or payment of a forfeiture is a conviction within the meaning of this section.