Time limitations on tickets

Out of the blue this summer I got a notice from an agency claiming that I owe $20 for a parking ticket issued by Milwaukee County from May 1994. Yes, almost 7 years ago!
Normally, your registration is suspended if you fail to pay a ticket in a few months, mine has not been in all these years. I don't remember this ticket, but even if it was issued, why the hell are they trying to get me to pay for it now after all these years? Should I just keep ignoring it? I mean, 7 years, come on now!

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

Run a search in either your county code or the state code to see what the statute of limitations is: probably less than 7 years.

https://law.freeadvice.com/resources/statecodes.htm

Civil penalties cannot be dismissed due to a statute of limitations. Parking tickets are not moving traffic violations so therefore have no bearing on your drivers license or vehicle registration. Many municipalities are now starting to enforce parking laws more stringently and are revised laws that would make drivers license and/or vehicle license renewal impossible till the fine is paid. My advice is to pay the $20 before they start tacking on interest or penalties. The city of Seattle has gone back over 20 years looking for unpaid parking tickets.