980.015 Annotation
The "appropriate district attorney" under sub. (2) is the district attorney in the county of conviction or the county to which prison officials propose to release the person. In re Commitment of Goodson,
199 Wis. 2d 426,
544 N.W. 2d 611 (Ct. App. 1996).
980.02
980.02
Sexually violent person petition; contents; filing. 980.02(1)(1) A petition alleging that a person is a sexually violent person may be filed by one of the following:
980.02(1)(a)
(a) The department of justice at the request of the agency with jurisdiction, as defined in
s. 980.015 (1), over the person. If the department of justice decides to file a petition under this paragraph, it shall file the petition before the date of the release or discharge of the person.
980.02(1)(b)
(b) If the department of justice does not file a petition under
par. (a), the district attorney for one of the following:
980.02(1)(b)1.
1. The county in which the person was convicted of a sexually violent offense, adjudicated delinquent for a sexually violent offense or found not guilty of or not responsible for a sexually violent offense by reason of insanity or mental disease, defect or illness.
980.02(1)(b)2.
2. The county in which the person will reside or be placed upon his or her discharge from a sentence, release on parole or extended supervision, or release from imprisonment, from a secured correctional facility, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15m), from a secured child caring institution, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15g), from a secured group home, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15p), or from a commitment order.
980.02(2)
(2) A petition filed under this section shall allege that all of the following apply to the person alleged to be a sexually violent person:
980.02(2)(a)
(a) The person satisfies any of the following criteria:
980.02(2)(a)1.
1. The person has been convicted of a sexually violent offense.
980.02(2)(a)2.
2. The person has been found delinquent for a sexually violent offense.
980.02(2)(a)3.
3. The person has been found not guilty of a sexually violent offense by reason of mental disease or defect.
980.02(2)(ag)
(ag) The person is within 90 days of discharge or release, on parole, extended supervision or otherwise, from a sentence that was imposed for a conviction for a sexually violent offense, from a secured correctional facility, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15m), from a secured child caring institution, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15g), or from a secured group home, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15p), if the person was placed in the facility for being adjudicated delinquent under
s. 938.183 or
938.34 on the basis of a sexually violent offense or from a commitment order that was entered as a result of a sexually violent offense.
980.02(2)(c)
(c) The person is dangerous to others because the person's mental disorder creates a substantial probability that he or she will engage in acts of sexual violence.
980.02(3)
(3) A petition filed under this section shall state with particularity essential facts to establish probable cause to believe the person is a sexually violent person. If the petition alleges that a sexually violent offense or act that is a basis for the allegation under
sub. (2) (a) was an act that was sexually motivated as provided under
s. 980.01 (6) (b), the petition shall state the grounds on which the offense or act is alleged to be sexually motivated.
980.02(4)
(4) A petition under this section shall be filed in any of the following:
980.02(4)(a)
(a) The circuit court for the county in which the person was convicted of a sexually violent offense, adjudicated delinquent for a sexually violent offense or found not guilty of a sexually violent offense by reason of mental disease or defect.
980.02(4)(am)
(am) The circuit court for the county in which the person will reside or be placed upon his or her discharge from a sentence, release on parole or extended supervision or release from imprisonment, from a secured correctional facility, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15m), from a secured child caring institution, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15g), from a secured group home, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15p), or from a commitment order.
980.02(4)(b)
(b) The circuit court for the county in which the person is in custody under a sentence, a placement to a secured correctional facility, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15m), a secured child caring institution, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15g), or a secured group home, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15p), or a commitment order.
980.02(5)
(5) Notwithstanding
sub. (4), if the department of justice decides to file a petition under
sub. (1) (a), it may file the petition in the circuit court for Dane County.
980.02 Annotation
A ch. 980 commitment is not an extension of a commitment under ch. 975, and s. 975.12 does not limit the state's ability to seek a separate commitment under ch. 980 of a person originally committed under ch. 975. State v. Post,
197 Wis. 2d 279,
541 N.W. 2d 115 (1995).
980.02 Annotation
For purposes of determining the proper time to file a ch. 980 petition under sub. (2) (ag), a sentence imposed for a sexually violent offense includes a sentence imposed consecutively to any sentence for a sexually violent offense. State v. Keith,
216 Wis. 2d 61,
573 N.W. 2d 888 (Ct. App. 1997).
980.02 Annotation
As used in this chapter, "substantial probability" and "substantially probable" both mean much more likely than not. This standard for dangerousness does not violate equal protection nor is the term unconstitutionally vague. State v. Curiel,
227 Wis. 2d 389,
597 N.W.2d 697 (1999).
980.02 Annotation
In deciding whether there is a substantial probability that the subject will commit future acts of sexual violence, the trier of fact is free to weigh expert testimony that conflicts and decide which is more reliable, to accept or reject an expert's testimony, including accepting only parts of the testimony, and to consider all non-expert testimony. State v. Kienitz,
227 Wis. 2d 423,
597 N.W. 2d 712 (1999).
980.02 Annotation
To the extent that s. 938.35 (1) prohibits the admission of delinquency adjudications in ch. 980 proceedings, it is repealed by implication. State v. Matthew A.B.
231 Wis. 2d 688,
605 N.W.2d 598 (Ct. App. 1999)
980.02 Annotation
In a trial on a petition filed under sub. (2), the state has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the petition was filed within 90 days of the subject's release or discharge based on a sexually violent offense. State v. Theil, 2000 WI 67,
235 Wis. 2d 823,
612 N.W.2d 94.
980.03
980.03
Rights of persons subject to petition. 980.03(1)
(1) The circuit court in which a petition under
s. 980.02 is filed shall conduct all hearings under this chapter. The court shall give the person who is the subject of the petition reasonable notice of the time and place of each such hearing. The court may designate additional persons to receive these notices.
980.03(2)
(2) Except as provided in
ss. 980.09 (2) (a) and
980.10 and without limitation by enumeration, at any hearing under this chapter, the person who is the subject of the petition has the right to:
980.03(2)(a)
(a) Counsel. If the person claims or appears to be indigent, the court shall refer the person to the authority for indigency determinations under
s. 977.07 (1) and, if applicable, the appointment of counsel.
980.03(2)(d)
(d) Have the hearing recorded by a court reporter.
980.03(3)
(3) The person who is the subject of the petition, the person's attorney, the department of justice or the district attorney may request that a trial under
s. 980.05 be to a jury of 12. A request for a jury trial shall be made as provided under
s. 980.05. Notwithstanding
s. 980.05 (2), if the person, the person's attorney, the department of justice or the district attorney does not request a jury trial, the court may on its own motion require that the trial be to a jury of 12. A verdict of a jury under this chapter is not valid unless it is unanimous.
980.03(4)
(4) Whenever a person who is the subject of a petition filed under
s. 980.02 or who has been committed under
s. 980.06 is required to submit to an examination under this chapter, he or she may retain experts or professional persons to perform an examination. If the person retains a qualified expert or professional person of his or her own choice to conduct an examination, the examiner shall have reasonable access to the person for the purpose of the examination, as well as to the person's past and present treatment records, as defined in
s. 51.30 (1) (b), and patient health care records as provided under
s. 146.82 (2) (c). If the person is indigent, the court shall, upon the person's request, appoint a qualified and available expert or professional person to perform an examination and participate in the trial or other proceeding on the person's behalf. Upon the order of the circuit court, the county shall pay, as part of the costs of the action, the costs of an expert or professional person appointed by a court under this subsection to perform an examination and participate in the trial or other proceeding on behalf of an indigent person. An expert or professional person appointed to assist an indigent person who is subject to a petition may not be subject to any order by the court for the sequestration of witnesses at any proceeding under this chapter.
980.03(5)
(5) Upon a showing by the proponent of good cause under
s. 807.13 (2) (c), testimony may be received into the record of a hearing under this section by telephone or live audiovisual means.
980.03 Annotation
There are circumstances when comment on the defendant's silence is permitted. If a defendant refuses to be interviewed by the state's psychologist and the defense attorney challenges the psychologist's findings based on the lack of an interview, it is appropriate for the psychologist to testify about the refusal. State v. Adams,
223 Wis. 2d 60,
588 N.W.2d 336 (Ct. App. 1998).
980.04
980.04
Detention; probable cause hearing; transfer for examination. 980.04(1)(1) Upon the filing of a petition under
s. 980.02, the court shall review the petition to determine whether to issue an order for detention of the person who is the subject of the petition. The person shall be detained only if there is cause to believe that the person is eligible for commitment under
s. 980.05 (5). A person detained under this subsection shall be held in a facility approved by the department. If the person is serving a sentence of imprisonment, is in a secured correctional facility, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15m), a secured child caring institution, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15g), or a secured group home, as defined in
s. 938.02 (15p), or is committed to institutional care, and the court orders detention under this subsection, the court shall order that the person be transferred to a detention facility approved by the department. A detention order under this subsection remains in effect until the person is discharged after a trial under
s. 980.05 or until the effective date of a commitment order under
s. 980.06, whichever is applicable.
980.04(2)
(2) Whenever a petition is filed under
s. 980.02, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the person named in the petition is a sexually violent person. If the person named in the petition is in custody, the court shall hold the probable cause hearing within 72 hours after the petition is filed, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. If the person named in the petition is not in custody, the court shall hold the probable cause hearing within a reasonable time after the filing of the petition.
980.04(3)
(3) If the court determines after a hearing that there is probable cause to believe that the person named in the petition is a sexually violent person, the court shall order that the person be taken into custody if he or she is not in custody and shall order the person to be transferred within a reasonable time to an appropriate facility for an evaluation as to whether the person is a sexually violent person. If the court determines that probable cause does not exist to believe that the person is a sexually violent person, the court shall dismiss the petition.
980.04(4)
(4) The department shall promulgate rules that provide the qualifications for persons conducting evaluations under
sub. (3).
980.04(5)
(5) If the person named in the petition claims or appears to be indigent, the court shall, prior to the probable cause hearing under
sub. (2), refer the person to the authority for indigency determinations under
s. 977.07 (1) and, if applicable, the appointment of counsel.
980.04 Annotation
The rules of evidence apply to probable cause hearings under ch. 980. The exceptions to the rules for preliminary examinations also apply. Although s. 907.03 allows an expert to base an opinion on hearsay, an expert's opinion based solely on hearsay cannot constitute probable cause. State v. Watson,
227 Wis. 2d 167,
595 N.W.2d 403 (1999).
980.04 Annotation
In sub. (2), "in custody" means in custody pursuant to ch. 980 and does not apply to custody under a previously imposed sentence. State v. Brissette,
230 Wis. 2d 82,
601 N.W.2d 678 (Ct. App. 1999).
980.05(1)(1) A trial to determine whether the person who is the subject of a petition under
s. 980.02 is a sexually violent person shall commence no later than 45 days after the date of the probable cause hearing under
s. 980.04. The court may grant a continuance of the trial date for good cause upon its own motion, the motion of any party or the stipulation of the parties.
980.05(1m)
(1m) At the trial to determine whether the person who is the subject of a petition under
s. 980.02 is a sexually violent person, all rules of evidence in criminal actions apply. All constitutional rights available to a defendant in a criminal proceeding are available to the person.
980.05(2)
(2) The person who is the subject of the petition, the person's attorney, the department of justice or the district attorney may request that a trial under this section be to a jury of 12. A request for a jury trial under this subsection shall be made within 10 days after the probable cause hearing under
s. 980.04. If no request is made, the trial shall be to the court. The person, the person's attorney or the district attorney or department of justice, whichever is applicable, may withdraw his, her or its request for a jury trial if the 2 persons who did not make the request consent to the withdrawal.
980.05(3)(a)(a) At a trial on a petition under this chapter, the petitioner has the burden of proving the allegations in the petition beyond a reasonable doubt.
980.05(3)(b)
(b) If the state alleges that the sexually violent offense or act that forms the basis for the petition was an act that was sexually motivated as provided in
s. 980.01 (6) (b), the state is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged sexually violent act was sexually motivated.
980.05(4)
(4) Evidence that the person who is the subject of a petition under
s. 980.02 was convicted for or committed sexually violent offenses before committing the offense or act on which the petition is based is not sufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the person has a mental disorder.
980.05(5)
(5) If the court or jury determines that the person who is the subject of a petition under
s. 980.02 is a sexually violent person, the court shall enter a judgment on that finding and shall commit the person as provided under
s. 980.06. If the court or jury is not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is a sexually violent person, the court shall dismiss the petition and direct that the person be released unless he or she is under some other lawful restriction.
980.05 History
History: 1993 a. 479;
1999 a. 9.
980.05 Annotation
Sub. (1m) extends the rule protecting prearrest silence under the right against self-incrimination to the refusal of a commitment subject to participate in a formal evaluation prior to the filing of the commitment petition. State v. Zanelli,
212 Wis. 2d 358,
569 N.W. 2d 301(Ct. App. 1997).
980.05 Annotation
Sub. (1m) does not require a sworn petition. There is no constitutional right to a sworn complaint in a criminal case. State v. Zanelli,
212 Wis. 2d 358,
569 N.W. 2d 301 (Ct. App. 1997).
980.05 Annotation
This section does not confine expert testimony to any specific standard nor mandate the type or character of relevant evidence that the state may choose to meet its burden of proof. State v. Zanelli,
223 Wis. 2d 545,
589 N.W.2d 687 (Ct. App. 1998).
980.05 Annotation
The standard of review for commitments under ch. 980 is the standard applicable to the review of criminal cases--whether the evidence could have led the trier of fact to find beyond a reasonable doubt that the person subject to commitment is a sexually violent person. State v. Curiel,
227 Wis. 2d 389, 597 N.W.2d (1999).
980.05 Annotation
Sub. (1m) provides a respondent with a statutory right to be competent at trial. The procedure to effect that right should adhere to ss. 971.13 and 971.14. State v. Smith,
229 Wis. 2d 720,
600 N.W.2d 258 (Ct. App. 1999).
980.05 Annotation
The right to a jury trial under ch. 980 is governed by sub. (2) rather than case law governing the right to a jury trial in criminal proceedings. State v. Bernstein,
231 Wis. 2d 392,
605 N.W.2d 555 (1999).
980.05 Annotation
The sub. (2) requirement that the 2 persons who did not request the withdrawal of a request for a jury trial consent to the withdrawal does not require a personal statement from the person subject to the commitment proceeding. Consent be granted by defense counsel. State v. Bernstein,
231 Wis. 2d 392,
605 N.W.2d 555 (1999).
980.05 Annotation
To the extent that s. 938.35 (1) prohibits the admission of delinquency adjudications in ch. 980 proceedings, it is repealed by implication. State v. Matthew A.B.
231 Wis. 2d 688,
605 N.W.2d 598 (Ct. App. 1999)
980.06
980.06
Commitment. If a court or jury determines that the person who is the subject of a petition under
s. 980.02 is a sexually violent person, the court shall order the person to be committed to the custody of the department for control, care and treatment until such time as the person is no longer a sexually violent person. A commitment order under this section shall specify that the person be placed in institutional care.
980.06 Annotation
The failure of the trial court to follow the notice requirements of sub. (2) (c) resulted in the court being incompetent to order community release. In re Commitment of Goodson,
199 Wis. 2d 426,
544 N.W. 2d 611 (Ct. App. 1996).
980.06 Annotation
Sub. (2) (d) requires post-hearing notice to the local law enforcement agencies. In re Commitment of Goodson,
199 Wis. 2d 426,
544 N.W. 2d 611 (Ct. App. 1996).
980.06 Annotation
Under sub. (2) (c), treatment and services "in the community" does not mean treatment and services in the county of residence. A court may consider treatment options in any community in the state. Once the court determines supervised release is appropriate it is the state's duty to arrange for the appropriate placement. State v. Keding,
214 Wis. 2d 362,
571 N.W. 2d 450 (Ct. App. 1997).
980.06 Annotation
In the event that there is a failure to develop an appropriate treatment program, the remedy is to obtain appropriate treatment and not supervised release. State v. Seibert,
220 Wis. 2d 308,
582 N.W. 2d 745 (Ct. App. 1998).
980.06 Annotation
There is no exception under sub. (2) for a court to refuse to order release after it determines under sub. (2) (b) that release is appropriate. If treatment programs are unavailable, the court shall order a county through DHFS to prepare a plan, and place the person on supervised release in that county The court may order the county to create whatever programs or facilities are necessary to accommodate the supervised release. State v. Sprosty,
227 Wis. 2d 316,
595 N.W. 2d 692 (1999).
980.063
980.063
Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis requirements. 980.063(1)(a)(a) If a person is found to be a sexually violent person under this chapter, the court shall require the person to provide a biological specimen to the state crime laboratories for deoxyribonucleic acid analysis.
980.063(1)(b)
(b) The results from deoxyribonucleic acid analysis of a specimen under
par. (a) may be used only as authorized under
s. 165.77 (3). The state crime laboratories shall destroy any such specimen in accordance with
s. 165.77 (3).
980.063(2)
(2) The department of justice shall promulgate rules providing for procedures for defendants to provide specimens under
sub. (1) and for the transportation of those specimens to the state crime laboratories for analysis under
s. 165.77.
980.063 History
History: 1995 a. 440.
980.065
980.065
Institutional care for sexually violent persons. 980.065(1m)(1m) The department shall place a person committed under
s. 980.06 at the secure mental health facility established under
s. 46.055, the Wisconsin resource center established under
s. 46.056 or a secure mental health unit or facility provided by the department of corrections under
sub. (2).
980.065(2)
(2) The department may contract with the department of corrections for the provision of a secure mental health unit or facility for persons committed under
s. 980.06. The department shall operate a secure mental health unit or facility provided by the department of corrections under this subsection and shall promulgate rules governing the custody and discipline of persons placed by the department in the secure mental health unit or facility provided by the department of corrections under this subsection.
980.065 History
History: 1993 a. 479;
1997 a. 27;
1999 a. 9.
980.07
980.07
Periodic reexamination; report. 980.07(1)
(1) If a person has been committed under
s. 980.06 and has not been discharged under
s. 980.09, the department shall conduct an examination of his or her mental condition within 6 months after an initial commitment under
s. 980.06 and again thereafter at least once each 12 months for the purpose of determining whether the person has made sufficient progress for the court to consider whether the person should be placed on supervised release or discharged. At the time of a reexamination under this section, the person who has been committed may retain or seek to have the court appoint an examiner as provided under
s. 980.03 (4).
980.07(2)
(2) Any examiner conducting an examination under this section shall prepare a written report of the examination no later than 30 days after the date of the examination. The examiner shall place a copy of the report in the person's medical records and shall provide a copy of the report to the court that committed the person under
s. 980.06.
980.07(3)
(3) Notwithstanding
sub. (1), the court that committed a person under
s. 980.06 may order a reexamination of the person at any time during the period in which the person is subject to the commitment order.
