Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the State Public Defender (SPD) provides counsel to
represent people in various legal proceedings, including criminal proceedings that
may result in imprisonment, emergency detention or involuntary civil commitment
proceedings, proceedings for the protective placement of an adult, paternity
determinations, and juvenile delinquency proceedings. The SPD provides counsel
to children regardless of the child's income or assets, but only provides counsel to
adults whom the SPD determines are indigent under rules that the SPD adopts.
Current law provides that a person is indigent for purposes of SPD
representation if the person's income and assets, after deduction for reasonable and
necessary living expenses, are insufficient to cover the cost of effective legal
representation. Current law equates reasonable and necessary living expenses with
benefit amounts under the former Aid to Families with Dependent Children
program. But, in determining whether a person can afford counsel, courts are not
limited by the SPD indigency criteria. If a person is the subject of a legal proceeding
for which he or she has the right to appointed counsel if he or she cannot afford
counsel, and the person offers proof that he or she cannot afford counsel, the court
must independently review the person's circumstances. If the court finds that the
person cannot afford counsel and does not meet the criteria for SPD appointment, the
court must appoint private counsel and the county in which the court sits must pay
the appointed counsel.
This bill changes the criteria for determining indigency for the purposes of SPD
representation. Under the bill, the SPD must adopt rules regarding indigency
determinations that require the SPD, when assessing a person's eligibility, to
consider the anticipated costs of effective representation for the type of case in which
the person is involved. The rules must also require that assets and income be treated
as available to the person to pay the costs of legal representation if they exceed the
asset and income ceilings for eligibility for the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program,
except that the asset exclusion for a person's home is limited to $30,000. (To be
eligible for the W-2 program, a person's household assets, after excluding up to
$10,000 for a vehicle and the value of the person's home, cannot exceed $2,500, and
his or her household income cannot exceed 115 percent of the federal poverty line.)
Third, under the rules, the SPD must treat assets or income of the person's spouse
as the person's assets or income, unless the spouse was the victim of a crime that the
person allegedly committed.
In addition, the bill requires the SPD to provide legal representation to any
person, regardless of whether the person is indigent, who seeks SPD representation
and is the subject of an involuntary commitment proceeding for mental health or
alcoholism treatment, a protective placement proceeding, or a proceeding to appoint
a guardian because the person is alleged to be not competent to refuse psychotropic

medication. The bill provides that the court may require such a person, who is an
adult, to reimburse the SPD for all or part of the costs of legal representation if the
person is able to make reimbursement. Finally, the bill provides the Public Defender
Board with 59.5 new full-time equivalent general purpose revenue positions on July
1, 2007 (the day on which the bill's other changes become effective).
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB1219, s. 1 1Section 1. 20.550 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,3,62 20.550 (1) (f) Transcripts, discovery, and interpreters. The amounts in the
3schedule for the costs of interpreters and discovery materials and for the
4compensation of court reporters or clerks of circuit court for preliminary
5examination, trial, and appeal transcripts, and the payment of related costs under
6s. 967.06 (3).
AB1219, s. 2 7Section 2. 20.550 (1) (fb) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,3,118 20.550 (1) (fb) Payments from clients; administrative costs. The amounts in the
9schedule for the costs of determining, collecting and processing the payments
10received from persons as payment for legal representation under s. 977.07 (2),
11977.075 or 977.076.
AB1219, s. 3 12Section 3. 51.15 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,4,213 51.15 (9) Notice of rights. At the time of detention the individual shall be
14informed by the director of the facility or such person's designee, both orally and in
15writing, of his or her right to contact an attorney and a member of his or her
16immediate family, the right to have an attorney provided at public expense, as
17provided under s. 967.06 and ch. 977, if the individual is a child or is indigent, 51.60,
18and the right to remain silent and that the individual's statements may be used as

1a basis for commitment. The individual shall also be provided with a copy of the
2statement of emergency detention.
AB1219, s. 4 3Section 4. 51.20 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,4,104 51.20 (3) Legal counsel. At the time of the filing of the petition the court shall
5assure that the subject individual is represented by adversary counsel . If the
6individual claims or appears to be indigent, the court shall refer the person to the
7authority for indigency determinations specified under s. 977.07 (1). If the
8individual is a child, the court shall refer that child
by referring the individual to the
9state public defender, who shall appoint counsel for the child individual without a
10determination of indigency, as provided in s. 48.23 (4) 51.60.
AB1219, s. 5 11Section 5. 51.20 (18) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,4,1812 51.20 (18) (c) Expenses of the proceedings from the presentation of the
13statement of emergency detention or petition for commitment to the conclusion of the
14proceeding shall be allowed by the court and paid by the county from which the
15subject individual is detained, committed, or released, in the manner that the
16expenses of a criminal prosecution are paid, as provided in s. 59.64 (1). Payment of
17attorney fees for appointed attorneys in the case of children and indigents shall be
18in accordance with ch. 977.
AB1219, s. 6 19Section 6. 51.35 (1) (e) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,5,320 51.35 (1) (e) 1. Whenever any transfer between different treatment facilities
21results in a greater restriction of personal freedom for the patient and whenever the
22patient is transferred from outpatient to inpatient status, the department or the
23county department specified under par. (a) shall inform the patient both orally and
24in writing of his or her right to contact an attorney and a member of his or her
25immediate family, the right to have counsel provided at public expense, as provided

1under s. 967.06 and ch. 977, if the patient is a child or is indigent 51.60, and the right
2to petition a court in the county in which the patient is located or the committing
3court for a review of the transfer.
AB1219, s. 7 4Section 7. 51.35 (1) (e) 2. c. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,5,65 51.35 (1) (e) 2. c. The patient's right to have counsel provided at public expense,
6as provided under s. 967.06 and ch. 977, if the patient is a child or is indigent 51.60.
AB1219, s. 8 7Section 8. 51.45 (12) (b) (intro.), 1. and 3. of the statutes are consolidated,
8renumbered 51.45 (12) (b) and amended to read:
AB1219,5,159 51.45 (12) (b) The physician, spouse, guardian, or a relative of the person
10sought to be committed, or any other responsible person, may petition a circuit court
11commissioner or the circuit court of the county in which the person sought to be
12committed resides or is present for commitment under this subsection. The petition
13shall: 1. State state facts to support the need for emergency treatment; 3. Be and
14be
supported by one or more affidavits which that aver with particularity the factual
15basis for the allegations contained in the petition.
AB1219, s. 9 16Section 9. 51.45 (12) (b) 2. of the statutes is repealed.
AB1219, s. 10 17Section 10. 51.45 (12) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,5,2318 51.45 (12) (c) 2. Assure that the person sought to be committed is represented
19by counsel and, if the person claims or appears to be indigent, refer the person to the
20authority for indigency determinations specified under s. 977.07 (1) or, if the person
21is a child, refer that child
by referring the person to the state public defender, who
22shall appoint counsel for the child person without a determination of indigency, as
23provided in s. 48.23 (4) 51.60.
AB1219, s. 11 24Section 11. 51.45 (13) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,6,8
151.45 (13) (b) 2. Assure that the person is represented by counsel and, if the
2person claims or appears to be indigent, refer the person to the authority for
3indigency determinations specified under s. 977.07 (1) or, if the person is a child, refer
4that child
by referring the person to the state public defender, who shall appoint
5counsel for the child person without a determination of indigency, as provided in s.
648.23 (4) 51.60. The person shall be represented by counsel at the preliminary
7hearing under par. (d). The person may, with the approval of the court, waive his or
8her right to representation by counsel at the full hearing under par. (f).
AB1219, s. 12 9Section 12. 51.45 (13) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,6,2210 51.45 (13) (d) Whenever it is desired to involuntarily commit a person, a
11preliminary hearing shall be held under this paragraph. The purpose of the
12preliminary hearing shall be to determine if there is probable cause for believing that
13the allegations of the petition under par. (a) are true. The court shall assure that the
14person shall be is represented by counsel at the preliminary hearing and, if the
15person is a child or is indigent,
by appointing counsel shall timely be appointed at
16public expense, as provided in s. 967.06 and ch. 977
for him or her under s. 51.60.
17Counsel shall have access to all reports and records, psychiatric and otherwise,
18which have been made prior to the preliminary hearing. The person shall be present
19at the preliminary hearing and shall be afforded a meaningful opportunity to be
20heard. Upon failure to make a finding of probable cause under this paragraph, the
21court shall dismiss the petition and discharge the person from the custody of the
22county department.
AB1219, s. 13 23Section 13. 51.45 (13) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,7,624 51.45 (13) (j) Upon the filing of a petition for recommitment under par. (h), the
25court shall fix a date for a recommitment hearing within 10 days, and assure that the

1person sought to be recommitted is represented by counsel and, if the person is
2indigent, appoint
by appointing counsel for him or her, unless waived under s. 51.60.
3The provisions of par. (e) relating to notice and to access to records, names of
4witnesses, and summaries of their testimony shall apply to recommitment hearings
5under this paragraph. At the recommitment hearing, the court shall proceed as
6provided under pars. (f) and (g).
AB1219, s. 14 7Section 14. 51.45 (16) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
AB1219, s. 15 8Section 15. 51.60 of the statutes is created to read:
AB1219,7,12 951.60 Appointment of counsel. (1) Adults. (a) In any situation under this
10chapter in which an adult person has a right to be represented by counsel, the person
11shall be referred as soon as practicable to the state public defender, who shall appoint
12counsel for the person under s. 977.08 without a determination of indigency.
AB1219,7,1413 (b) Except as provided in s. 51.45 (13) (b) 2., par. (a) does not apply if the person
14knowingly and voluntarily waives counsel.
AB1219,7,17 15(2) Children. In any situation under this chapter in which a child has a right
16to be represented by counsel, counsel for the child shall be appointed as provided in
17s. 48.23 (4).
AB1219,7,20 18(3) Retained counsel. Notwithstanding subs. (1) and (2), a person subject to
19proceedings under this chapter is entitled to retain counsel of his or her own choosing
20at his or her own expense.
AB1219, s. 16 21Section 16. 51.605 of the statutes is created to read:
AB1219,8,6 2251.605 Reimbursement for counsel provided by the state. (1) At or after
23the conclusion of a proceeding under this chapter in which the state public defender
24has provided counsel for an adult person, the court may inquire as to the person's
25ability to reimburse the state for all or part of the cost of representation. If the court

1determines that the person is able to make reimbursement for all or part of the cost
2of representation, the court may order the person to reimburse the state an amount
3not to exceed the maximum amount established by the public defender board under
4s. 977.075 (6). Upon the court's request, the state public defender shall conduct a
5determination of indigency under s. 977.07 and report the results of the
6determination to the court.
AB1219,8,13 7(2) Reimbursement ordered under this section shall be made to the clerk of
8courts of the county where the proceedings took place. The clerk of courts shall
9transmit payments under this section to the county treasurer, who shall deposit 25
10percent of the payment amount in the county treasury and transmit the remainder
11to the secretary of administration. Payments transmitted to the secretary of
12administration shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the
13appropriation account under s. 20.550 (1) (L).
AB1219,8,17 14(3) By January 31st of each year, the clerk of courts for each county shall report
15to the state public defender the total amount of reimbursements ordered under sub.
16(1) in the previous calendar year and the total amount of reimbursements paid to the
17clerk under sub. (2) in the previous year.
AB1219, s. 17 18Section 17. 55.06 (11) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,9,1119 55.06 (11) (a) If from personal observation of a sheriff, police officer, fire fighter,
20guardian, if any, or authorized representative of a board designated under s. 55.02
21or an agency designated by it it appears probable that an individual will suffer
22irreparable injury or death or will present a substantial risk of serious physical harm
23to others as a result of developmental disabilities, infirmities of aging, chronic
24mental illness, or other like incapacities if not immediately placed, the person
25making the observation may take into custody and transport the individual to an

1appropriate medical or protective placement facility. The person making placement
2shall prepare a statement at the time of detention providing specific factual
3information concerning the person's observations and the basis for emergency
4placement. The statement shall be filed with the director of the facility and shall also
5be filed with any petition under sub. (2). At the time of placement the individual shall
6be informed by the director of the facility or the director's designee, both orally and
7in writing, of his or her right to contact an attorney and a member of his or her
8immediate family and the right to have an attorney provided at public expense, as
9provided under s. 967.06 and ch. 977, if the individual is a child or is indigent par.
10(bm)
. The director or designee shall also provide the individual with a copy of the
11statement by the person making emergency placement.
AB1219, s. 18 12Section 18. 55.06 (11) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1219,9,1613 55.06 (11) (bm) 1. Unless an adult individual subject to an emergency
14placement under par. (a) knowingly and voluntarily waives counsel, the individual
15shall be referred as soon as practicable to the state public defender, who shall appoint
16counsel for the individual under s. 977.08 without a determination of indigency.
AB1219,9,1817 2. If a child is subject to an emergency placement under par. (a), counsel for the
18child shall be appointed as provided in s. 48.23 (4).
AB1219,9,2119 3. Notwithstanding subds. 1. and 2., a person subject to an emergency
20placement under par. (a) is entitled to retain counsel of his or her own choosing at
21his or her own expense.
AB1219, s. 19 22Section 19. 55.065 of the statutes is created to read:
AB1219,9,25 2355.065 Reimbursement for counsel provided by the state. (1) At or after
24the conclusion of a proceeding under this chapter in which the state public defender
25has provided counsel for an adult person, the court may inquire as to the person's

1ability to reimburse the state for all or part of the cost of representation. If the court
2determines that the person is able to make reimbursement for all or part of the cost
3of representation, the court may order the person to reimburse the state an amount
4not to exceed the maximum amount established by the public defender board under
5s. 977.075 (6). Upon the court's request, the state public defender shall conduct a
6determination of indigency under s. 977.07 and report the results of the
7determination to the court.
AB1219,10,14 8(2) Reimbursement ordered under this section shall be made to the clerk of
9courts of the county where the proceedings took place. The clerk of courts shall
10transmit payments under this section to the county treasurer, who shall deposit 25
11percent of the payment amount in the county treasury and transmit the remainder
12to the secretary of administration. Payments transmitted to the secretary of
13administration shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the
14appropriation account under s. 20.550 (1) (L).
AB1219,10,18 15(3) By January 31st of each year, the clerk of courts for each county shall report
16to the state public defender the total amount of reimbursements ordered under sub.
17(1) in the previous calendar year and the total amount of reimbursements paid to the
18clerk under sub. (2) in the previous year.
AB1219, s. 20 19Section 20. 303.065 (5) (dm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,10,2120 303.065 (5) (dm) Payment for legal representation under s. 977.07 (2) (2m),
21977.075 or 977.076;
AB1219, s. 21 22Section 21. 809.30 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,11,623 809.30 (2) (d) Indigency redetermination. Except as provided in this
24paragraph, whenever a person whose trial counsel is appointed by the state public
25defender files a notice under par. (b) requesting public defender representation for

1purposes of postconviction or postdisposition relief, the prosecutor may, within 5
2days after the notice is served and filed, file in the circuit court and serve upon the
3state public defender a request that the person's indigency be redetermined before
4counsel is appointed or transcripts are requested. This paragraph does not apply to
5a child or juvenile person who is entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23,
651.60 (1), 55.06 (11) (a), 880.33 (2) (a) 2.,
or 938.23.
AB1219, s. 22 7Section 22. 814.69 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,11,118 814.69 (1) (a) For a transcript under SCR 71.04, a fee at the rate of $1.50 per
925-line page for the original and 50 cents per 25-line page for the duplicate. Except
10as provided in s. 967.06 (3), the fee shall be paid by the county treasurer upon the
11certificate of the clerk of court.
AB1219, s. 23 12Section 23. 880.33 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,11,1913 880.33 (2) (a) 2. If the person requests but is unable to obtain legal counsel, the
14court shall appoint legal counsel. If the petition contains the allegations under s.
15880.07 (1m), the court shall refer the person to the state public defender, who shall
16appoint counsel under s. 977.08 without a determination of indigency.
If the person
17is represented by counsel appointed under s. 977.08 in a proceeding for a protective
18placement under s. 55.06 or for the appointment of a guardian under s. 880.07 (1m),
19the court shall order the counsel appointed under s. 977.08 to represent the person.
AB1219, s. 24 20Section 24. 880.33 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
AB1219,12,521 880.33 (2) (a) 4. a. At or after the conclusion of a proceeding under this chapter
22concerning an allegation under s. 880.07 (1m) in which the state public defender has
23provided counsel for a person, the court may inquire as to the person's ability to
24reimburse the state for all or part of the cost of representation. If the court
25determines that the person is able to make reimbursement for all or part of the cost

1of representation, the court may order the person to reimburse the state an amount
2not to exceed the maximum amount established by the public defender board under
3s. 977.075 (6). Upon the court's request, the state public defender shall conduct a
4determination of indigency under s. 977.07 and report the results of the
5determination to the court.
AB1219,12,126 a. Reimbursement ordered under this subdivision shall be made to the clerk
7of courts of the county where the proceedings took place. The clerk of courts shall
8transmit payments under this subdivision to the county treasurer, who shall deposit
925 percent of the payment amount in the county treasury and transmit the
10remainder to the secretary of administration. Payments transmitted to the
11secretary of administration shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the
12appropriation account under s. 20.550 (1) (L).
AB1219,12,1613 c. By January 31st of each year, the clerk of courts for each county shall report
14to the state public defender the total amount of reimbursements ordered under subd.
154. a. in the previous calendar year and the total amount of reimbursements paid to
16the clerk under subd. 4. b. in the previous year.
AB1219, s. 25 17Section 25. 967.06 of the statutes is renumbered 967.06 (1) and amended to
18read:
AB1219,12,2419 967.06 (1) As soon as practicable after a person has been detained or arrested
20in connection with any offense which that is punishable by incarceration, or in
21connection with any civil commitment proceeding, or in any other situation in which
22a person is entitled to counsel regardless of ability to pay under the constitution or
23laws of the United States or this state, the person shall be informed of his or her right
24to counsel. Persons
AB1219,13,8
1(2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a person entitled to counsel under sub.
2(1)
who indicate indicates at any time that they wish he or she wants to be
3represented by a lawyer, and who claim that they are claims that he or she is not able
4to pay in full for a lawyer's services, shall immediately be permitted to contact the
5authority for indigency determinations specified under s. 977.07 (1). The authority
6for indigency determination in each county shall have daily telephone access to the
7county jail in order to identify all persons who are being held in the jail. The jail
8personnel shall provide by phone information requested by the authority.
AB1219,13,14 9(3) In any case in which the state public defender provides representation to
10an indigent person, the public defender may request that the applicable court
11reporter or clerk of circuit court prepare and transmit any transcript or court record.
12The request shall be complied with. The state public defender shall, from the
13appropriation under s. 20.550 (1) (f), compensate the court reporter or clerk of circuit
14court for the cost of preparing, handling, duplicating, and mailing the documents.
AB1219, s. 26 15Section 26. 967.06 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1219,13,1916 967.06 (2) (b) If the person indicating that he or she wants to be represented
17by a lawyer is detained under ch. 48, 51, 55, 880, or 938, the person shall be referred
18for appointment of counsel as provided under s. 48.23 (4), 51.60, 55.06 (11) (bm),
19880.33 (2) (a) 2., or 938.23 (4), whichever is applicable.
AB1219, s. 27 20Section 27. 973.06 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,13,2421 973.06 (1) (e) Attorney fees payable to the defense attorney by the county or
22the state. If the court determines at the time of sentencing that the defendant's
23financial circumstances are changed, the court may adjust the amount in accordance
24with s. 977.07 (1) (a) and (2) rules promulgated under s. 977.02 (3).
AB1219, s. 28 25Section 28. 977.02 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,14,4
1977.02 (2m) Promulgate rules regarding eligibility for legal services under this
2chapter, including legal services for children persons who are entitled to be
3represented by counsel without a determination of indigency, as provided in s. 48.23
4(4), 51.60, 55.06 (11) (a), 880.33 (2) (a) 2., or 938.23 (4).
AB1219, s. 29 5Section 29. 977.02 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 977.02 (3) (intro.) and
6amended to read:
AB1219,14,137 977.02 (3) (intro.) Promulgate rules regarding the determination of indigency
8of persons entitled to be represented by counsel, other than children persons who are
9entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23, 51.60, 55.06 (11) (a), 880.33 (2)
10(a) 2.,
or 938.23, including the time period in which the determination must be made
11and the criteria to be used to determine indigency and partial indigency. The rules
12shall specify that, in determining indigency, the representative of the state public
13defender shall do all of the following:
AB1219, s. 30 14Section 30. 977.02 (3) (a) to (d) of the statutes are created to read:
AB1219,14,1615 977.02 (3) (a) Consider the anticipated costs of effective representation for the
16type of case in which the person seeks representation.
AB1219,14,2117 (b) Subject to par. (d), consider assets in the manner described in s. 49.145 (3)
18(a) and treat assets as available to the person to pay the costs of legal representation
19if they exceed the resource limitation in that paragraph, except that the
20representative of the state public defender shall exclude only the first $30,000 of the
21equity value of the home that serves as the individual's homestead.
AB1219,14,2422 (c) Subject to par. (d), treat income as available to pay the costs of legal
23representation to the person only if it exceeds the income limitations in s. 49.145 (3)
24(b).
AB1219,15,3
1(d) Treat assets or income of the person's spouse as the person's assets or
2income, unless the spouse was the victim of a crime that the person allegedly
3committed.
AB1219, s. 31 4Section 31. 977.05 (4) (gm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,15,115 977.05 (4) (gm) In accordance with the standards under pars. (h) and (i), accept
6referrals from judges and courts for the provision of legal services without a
7determination of indigency of children persons who are entitled to be represented by
8counsel under s. 48.23, 51.60, 55.06 (11) (a), 880.33 (2) (a) 2., or 938.23, appoint
9counsel in accordance with contracts and policies of the board, and inform the
10referring judge or court of the name and address of the specific attorney who has been
11assigned to the case.
AB1219, s. 32 12Section 32. 977.05 (4) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,15,1913 977.05 (4) (h) Accept requests for legal services from children persons who are
14entitled to be represented by counsel under s. 48.23, 51.60, 55.06 (11) (a), 880.33 (2)
15(a) 2.,
or 938.23 and from indigent persons who are entitled to be represented by
16counsel under s. 967.06 or who are otherwise so entitled under the constitution or
17laws of the United States or this state and provide such persons with legal services
18when, in the discretion of the state public defender, such provision of legal services
19is appropriate.
AB1219, s. 33 20Section 33. 977.05 (4) (i) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1219,15,2321 977.05 (4) (i) 4. Cases involving persons subject to emergency detention or
22involuntary civil commitment under ch. 51, emergency detention under s. 55.06 (11)
23(a), or a guardianship petition containing the allegations under s. 880.07 (1m)
.
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