977.05(4)(h)
(h) Accept requests for legal services from children who are entitled to be represented by counsel under
s. 48.23 or
938.23 and from indigent persons who are entitled to be represented by counsel under
s. 967.06 or who are otherwise so entitled under the constitution or laws of the United States or this state and provide such persons with legal services when, in the discretion of the state public defender, such provision of legal services is appropriate.
977.05(4)(i)2.
2. Cases involving persons charged with a felony not specified under
subd. 1.
977.05(4)(i)3.
3. Cases involving persons charged with a misdemeanor that is punishable by imprisonment but is not specified under
subd. 1.
977.05(4)(i)4.
4. Cases involving persons subject to emergency detention or involuntary civil commitment under
ch. 51.
977.05(4)(i)5.
5. Cases involving children who are entitled to counsel or are provided counsel at the discretion of the court under
s. 48.23 or
938.23.
977.05(4)(i)7.
7. Cases involving paternity determinations, as specified under
s. 767.52, in which the state is the petitioner under
s. 767.45 (1) (g) or in which the action is commenced on behalf of the child by an attorney appointed under
s. 767.045 (1) (c).
977.05(4)(j)
(j) Subject to
sub. (6) (e) and
(f), at the request of any person determined by the state public defender to be indigent or upon referral of any court, prosecute a writ of error, appeal, action or proceeding for habeas corpus or other postconviction or post-commitment remedy on behalf of the person before any court, if the state public defender determines the case should be pursued. The state public defender must pursue the case of any indigent person entitled to counsel under
s. 971.17 (7) (b) 1. or
980.03 (2) (a).
977.05(4)(k)
(k) Represent members of the staff of the office of the state public defender who are named as defendants in lawsuits arising from their duties within the office. The attorney general may also, if appropriate, represent such staff members in such litigation. In cases where a member could be represented by either the public defender or the attorney general, the public defender shall determine who shall represent the member.
977.05(4)(L)
(L) Commence actions in the name of the state public defender or any client or group of clients to seek declaratory judgment on any matter of concern to persons being represented by the office.
977.05(4)(m)
(m) Perform all other duties necessary or incidental to the performance of any duty enumerated in this chapter.
977.05(4r)(a)(a) The state public defender may not provide reimbursement for investigative or expert services provided in a case assigned to a staff attorney or to private counsel under
s. 977.08 unless the staff attorney or private counsel has received authorization from the state public defender to retain an investigator or expert.
977.05(4r)(b)
(b) An authorization under
par. (a) shall state a maximum amount that may be reimbursed, and the state public defender may not pay more than that amount except as allowed under the rules promulgated under
s. 977.03 (2).
977.05(5)
(5) Powers. The state public defender may:
977.05(5)(a)
(a) Delegate the legal representation of any person to any member of the state bar of Wisconsin certified under
s. 977.08.
977.05(5)(b)
(b) Designate persons as representatives of the state public defender for the purpose of making indigency determinations and appointing counsel, if applicable.
977.05(5)(c)
(c) Negotiate contracts with the United States or any executive, legislative or judicial branch thereof to provide legal services to persons appearing before the federal district courts located in this state or who are incarcerated in federal custody in this state and to take whatever legal action such representation requires, including appeal or the commencement of any appropriate original actions.
977.05(5)(d)
(d) Negotiate contracts with local public defender organizations as directed by the board.
977.05(5)(e)
(e) Sponsor conferences and training for attorneys and may charge tuition for attendance at the conferences and training. All moneys received shall be deposited in
s. 20.550 (1) (i).
977.05(6)(a)(a) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel for cases involving a person subject to contempt of court proceedings involving the alleged failure of the person to pay a forfeiture to a county or municipality.
977.05(6)(b)
(b) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel for a person subject to contempt of court proceedings under
s. 767.30 or
767.305 for failure to pay child or family support, if any of the following applies:
977.05(6)(b)2.
2. The judge or family court commissioner before whom the proceedings shall be held certifies to the state public defender that the person will not be incarcerated if he or she is found in contempt of court.
977.05(6)(c)
(c) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel for an adult in a criminal case if all of the following apply:
977.05(6)(cm)
(cm) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel for a child in a juvenile case if all of the following apply:
977.05(6)(e)
(e) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel for a person who files a motion to modify sentence under
s. 973.19 (1) (a), or for a person who appeals, under
s. 973.19 (4), the denial of a motion to modify sentence filed under
s. 973.19 (1) (a), unless the person does one of the following:
977.05(6)(e)1.
1. Files the notice of intent to pursue postconviction relief within the time limit specified in
s. 809.30 (2) (b) or, if the time limit specified in
s. 809.30 (2) (b) is enlarged under
s. 809.82 (2), within the time limit specified in the order enlarging time.
977.05(6)(f)
(f) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel in cases involving an appeal or postconviction motion under
s. 809.30 (2) if the notice of intent to pursue postconviction relief is not filed within the time limit specified in
s. 809.30 (2) (b) or, if the time limit specified in
s. 809.30 (2) (b) is enlarged under
s. 809.82 (2), within the time limit specified in the order enlarging time.
977.05(6)(g)
(g) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel in a proceeding under
s. 973.09 (3) to modify the conditions of a probationer's probation unless all of the following apply:
977.05(6)(g)1.
1. The probationer is contesting the modification of the conditions of probation.
977.05(6)(g)2.
2. The state or the court seeks to modify the conditions of probation to include a period of confinement under
s. 973.09 (4).
977.05(6)(h)
(h) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel in parole or extended supervision revocation proceedings unless all of the following apply:
977.05(6)(h)1.
1. The parolee or person on extended supervision is contesting the revocation of parole or extended supervision.
977.05(6)(h)2.
2. The department of corrections seeks to have the parolee or person on extended supervision imprisoned upon the revocation of parole or extended supervision.
977.05(6)(i)
(i) The state public defender may not provide legal services or assign counsel in probation revocation proceedings unless all of the following apply:
977.05(6)(i)1.
1. The probationer is contesting the revocation of probation.
977.05(6)(i)2.
2. The department of corrections seeks to have the probationer imprisoned upon the revocation of probation or a stayed sentence of imprisonment will be imposed on the probationer upon the revocation of probation.
977.05 History
History: 1977 c. 29;
1979 c. 34,
352,
356;
1981 c. 20,
27,
289;
1983 a. 377;
1987 a. 27;
1989 a. 12,
31,
56,
334;
1991 a. 263,
269;
1993 a. 318,
437,
451,
479,
481;
1995 a. 27,
77;
1997 a. 35,
283.
977.05 Note
Judicial Council Note, 1981: Reference in sub. (4) (j) to a "writ" of habeas corpus has been removed because the remedy is now available in an ordinary action. See s. 781.01, stats., and the note thereto. [Bill 613-A]
977.05 Annotation
Where court of appeals refers case under (4) (j), state public defender must explain its decision to court within reasonable time. State v. Alston, 92 W (2d) 893, 288 NW (2d) 866 (Ct. App. 1979).
977.05 Annotation
Public defender's refusal to act under (4) (j) was explained in sufficient detail to demonstrate proper exercise of discretion. State ex rel. Payton v. Kolb, 135 W (2d) 202, 400 NW (2d) 285 (Ct. App. 1986).
977.05 Annotation
Public defender may not be ordered to represent non-indigent parties, except under unique and unusual circumstances. State ex rel. Chiarkas v. Skow, 160 W (2d) 123, 465 NW (2d) 625 (1990).
977.05 Annotation
State public defender, not county, was obligated to pay costs of necessary expert witnesses hired by appointed private attorney without prior approval, as required by rule. Payment of Witness Fees in State v. Huisman, 167 W (2d) 168, 482 NW (2d) 665 (Ct. App. 1992).
977.05 Annotation
Sub. (4r) overrules holding in Huisman that the public defender is liable for expert fees incurred by a private attorney without prior approval but does not overrule Huisman's holding that the public defender and not the county is liable for expert services for indigent defendants. Polk County v. State Public Defender, 179 W (2d) 312, 507 NW (2d) 576 (Ct. App. 1993). See also Polk County v. State Public Defender, 188 W (2d) 665, 524 NW (2d) 389 (1994).
977.05 Annotation
Read together, s. 809.32 (4) and 977.05 (4) (j) create a statutory, but not constitutional, right to counsel in petitions for review and cases before any court, provided counsel does not determine the appeal to be without merit. Where counsel fails to timely file a petition for review, the defendant may petition for a writ of habeas corpus and the supreme court has the power to allow late filing. Schmelzer v. Murphy, 201 W (2d) 246, 548 NW (2d) 45 (1996).
977.05 Annotation
Public defender has discretion under (4) (j) to refuse appointment for indigents in conditions of confinement cases and in cases seeking post-conviction and post-commitment remedies where there is no absolute right to counsel.
71 Atty. Gen. 211.
977.05 Annotation
Public defender may represent indigent material witnesses subject to 969.01 (3) bail provisions so long as this does not create conflict of interest with another client, but may not represent indigent in civil forfeiture action unless that action is reasonably related to one for which indigent is entitled to counsel.
72 Atty. Gen. 61.
977.05 Annotation
Public defender who declined to pursue frivolous appeal did not violate prisoner's constitutional rights. Polk County v. Dodson, 454 US 312 (1981).
977.06
977.06
Indigency determinations; redeterminations; verification; collection. 977.06(1)
(1)
Duties. The state public defender shall determine whether persons are indigent and shall establish a system to do all of the following:
977.06(1)(a)
(a) Verify the information necessary to determine indigency under
s. 977.07 (2). The information provided by a person seeking assigned counsel that is subject to verification shall include any social security numbers provided on an application under
sub. (1m), income records, value of assets, eligibility for public assistance, as defined in
s. 106.215 (1) (fm), and claims of expenses.
977.06(1)(b)
(b) Redetermine indigency during the course of representation of persons receiving representation.
977.06(1)(c)
(c) Record the amount of time spent on each case by the attorney appointed under
s. 977.08.
977.06(1)(d)
(d) Collect for the cost of representation from persons who are indigent in part or who have been otherwise determined to be able to reimburse the state public defender for the cost of providing counsel.
977.06(1m)
(1m) Application for representation. The state public defender shall request each person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under
s. 977.08, other than a child who is entitled to be represented by counsel under
s. 48.23 or
938.23, to provide the state public defender with his or her social security number and the social security numbers of his or her spouse and dependent children, if any.
977.06(2)(a)(a) A person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under
s. 977.08, other than a child who is entitled to be represented by counsel under
s. 48.23 or
938.23, shall sign a statement declaring that he or she has not disposed of any assets for the purpose of qualifying for that assignment of counsel. If the representative or authority making the indigency determination finds that any asset was disposed of for less than its fair market value for the purpose of obtaining that assignment of counsel, the asset shall be counted under
s. 977.07 (2) at its fair market value at the time it was disposed of, minus the amount of compensation received for the asset.
977.06(2)(am)
(am) A person seeking to have counsel assigned for him or her under
s. 977.08, other than a child who is entitled to be represented by counsel under
s. 48.23 or
938.23, shall sign a statement declaring that the information that he or she has given to determine eligibility for assignment of counsel he or she believes to be true and that he or she is informed that he or she is subject to the penalty under
par. (b).
977.06(2)(b)
(b) A person who makes a false representation that he or she does not believe is true for purposes of qualifying for assignment of counsel shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years or both.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (b) is amended eff. 12-31-99 by
1997 Wis. Act 283 to read:
Effective date text
(b) A person who makes a false representation that he or she does not believe is true for purposes of qualifying for assignment of counsel shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 7 years and 6 months or both.
977.06(3)(a)(a) Unless the court has made an adjustment under
s. 973.06 (1) (e), upon determination at the conclusion of a case that a person's financial circumstances are changed, the state public defender may adjust the amount of payment for counsel.
977.06(3)(b)
(b) The state public defender may petition a court that ordered payment under
s. 757.66,
973.06 (1) (e) or
977.076 (1) to modify an order or judgment to adjust the amount of payment or the scheduled amounts at any time.
977.06(4)(a)(a) A circuit court may review any indigency determination upon its own motion or the motion of the defendant and shall review any indigency determination upon the motion of the district attorney or the state public defender. The court, district attorney or state public defender may summon the defendant. The defendant may be compelled to testify only as to his or her financial eligibility under this section. If the defendant refuses to testify, the court may find the defendant is not eligible to have counsel assigned for him or her under
s. 977.08. If the defendant testifies at this hearing, his or her testimony as to his or her financial eligibility under this section may not be used directly or indirectly in any criminal action, except in a criminal action regarding a subsequent charge of perjury or false swearing.
977.06(4)(b)
(b) The state public defender shall promptly release a copy of any statement, affidavit or other information provided by a person regarding financial eligibility under
s. 977.07 only if the state public defender or a circuit court finds all of the following:
977.06(4)(b)2.
2. The person disposed of an asset for less than its fair market value for the purpose of obtaining assignment of counsel.
977.06(4)(bm)
(bm) In response to a request for information under
s. 49.22 (2m) made by the department of workforce development or a county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5), the state public defender shall provide the name and address of an individual, the name and address of the individual's employer and financial information related to the individual, if the name, address or financial information is included in any statement, affidavit or other information provided by the individual regarding financial eligibility under
s. 977.07 and if, at the time the request for information is made, the individual is represented by the state public defender or by counsel assigned under
s. 977.08.
977.06(4)(c)
(c) Paragraphs (b) and
(bm) do not limit the authority of the state public defender to release a copy of a statement, affidavit or other information regarding financial eligibility under
s. 977.07 under other circumstances.
977.07
977.07
Determination of indigency. 977.07(1)(a)(a) Determination of indigency for persons entitled to counsel shall be made as soon as possible and shall be in accordance with the rules promulgated by the board under
s. 977.02 (3) and the system established under
s. 977.06. No determination of indigency is required for a child who is entitled to be represented by counsel under
s. 48.23 or
938.23.
977.07(1)(b)
(b) For referrals not made under
ss. 809.30 and
974.06, a representative of the state public defender is responsible for making indigency determinations unless the county became responsible under s.
977.07 (1) (b) 2. or
3., 1983 stats., for these determinations. Subject to the provisions of
par. (bn), those counties may continue to be responsible for making indigency determinations. Any such county may change the agencies or persons who are designated to make indigency determinations only upon the approval of the state public defender.
977.07(1)(bn)
(bn) Notwithstanding
par. (b), if the state public defender board determines that standards under
s. 977.02 (3) are not being met or that there is a pattern of improper denial of indigency findings in a county, the state public defender board shall transfer indigency determination authority in the county to the state public defender. In addition, if less than 100% of the cases at the trial level are assigned to private bar attorneys in a county, the public defender board may transfer indigency determination authority in the county to the state public defender.
977.07(1)(c)
(c) For all referrals made under
ss. 809.30 and
974.06 (3) (b), except a referral of a child who is entitled to be represented by counsel under
s. 48.23 or
938.23, a representative of the state public defender shall determine indigency, and may, unless a request for redetermination has been filed under
s. 809.30 (2) (d) or the defendant's request for representation states that his or her financial circumstances have materially improved, rely upon a determination of indigency made for purposes of trial representation under this section.
977.07(1)(d)
(d) If the representative of the state public defender or the county designee determines that a person is indigent or if no determination of indigency is required as provided in
par. (a), the case shall be referred to or within the office of the state public defender for assignment of counsel under
s. 977.08.
977.07(2)
(2) The representative of the state public defender or the authority for indigency determinations specified under
sub. (1) making a determination of indigency shall ascertain the assets of the person which exceed the amount needed for the payment of reasonable and necessary expenses incurred, or which must be incurred to support the person and the person's immediate family. The assets shall include disposable income, cash in hand, stocks and bonds, bank accounts and other property which can be converted to cash within a reasonable period of time and is not needed to hold a job, or to shelter, clothe and care for the person and the person's immediate family. Assets which cannot be converted to cash within a reasonable period of time, such as a person's home, car, household furnishings, clothing and other property which has been declared exempt from attachment or execution by law, shall be calculated to be assets equivalent in dollars to the amount of the loan which could be, in fact, raised by using these assets as collateral. Assets also include any money expended by the person to post bond to obtain release regarding the current alleged offense. If the person's assets, less reasonable and necessary living expenses, are not sufficient to cover the anticipated cost of effective representation when the length and complexity of the anticipated proceedings are taken fully into account, the person shall be determined to be indigent in full or in part. The determination of the ability of the person to contribute to the cost of legal services shall be based upon specific written standards relating to income, assets and the anticipated cost of representation. Under this subsection, reasonable and necessary living expenses equal the applicable payment amount under
s. 49.19 (11) (a) 1. plus other specified, emergency or essential costs. The representative or authority making the determination of indigency shall consider any assets of the spouse of the person claiming to be indigent as if they were assets of the person, unless the spouse was the victim of a crime allegedly committed by the person.
