782.07(1)(1) Such writ shall be substantially in the following form:
The state of Wisconsin: To the sheriff, etc. (or A. B.):
You are hereby commanded to have C. D., by you imprisoned and detained, as it is said, together with the time and cause of such imprisonment, (by whatever name the said C. D. shall be called or charged), before [here name the court or judge], at, etc., on, etc. (or immediately after the receipt of the writ), to do and receive what shall then and there be considered concerning the said C. D.
Witness, etc.
782.07(2)
(2) Every such writ shall be made returnable forthwith or at a day certain, as the case may require; when not issued by the court shall be endorsed with a certificate that the same has been allowed, with the date of such allowance, signed by the judge allowing the same.
782.07 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59; Stats. 1979 s. 782.07.
782.08
782.08
Writ, when sufficient. Such writ shall not be disobeyed for any defect in form. It shall be sufficient:
782.08(1)
(1) If the person having the custody of the prisoner is designated, either by name of office, if any, or by the person's name, or if both names are unknown or uncertain the person may be described by an assumed name or title. Anyone who is served with the writ is considered the person to whom it is directed, although it is directed to the person by a wrong name or description or to any other person.
782.08(2)
(2) If the person who is directed to be produced be designated by name, or if the person's name be uncertain or unknown, he or she may be described in any other way so as to designate the person intended.
782.08 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.08;
1993 a. 486;
1997 a. 254.
782.09
782.09
Refusal of writ. Any judge who refuses to grant a writ of habeas corpus, when legally applied for, is liable to the prisoner in the sum of $1,000.
782.09 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176,
355; Stats. 1979 s. 782.09.
782.09 Annotation
Comity between circuit courts was not a sufficient reason to refuse to issue a writ but, under the facts of the case, the penalty under this section was inappropriate. J.V. v. Barron,
112 Wis. 2d 256,
332 N.W.2d 796 (1983).
782.09 Annotation
The filing of a petition for a writ with the clerk of courts is a prerequisite to an action against a judge under this section. Maier v. Byrnes,
121 Wis. 2d 258,
358 N.W.2d 833 (Ct. App. 1984).
782.10
782.10
Writ, who may serve. Such writ can only be served by an elector of the state and shall be served as follows:
782.10(1)
(1) By delivering a copy of the same to the person to whom it is directed.
782.10(2)
(2) If such person cannot be found, by being left at the jail or other place in which the prisoner may be confined, with any underofficer or other person of proper age having charge of such prisoner.
782.10(3)
(3) If the person on whom the writ ought to be served hides or refuses admittance to the party attempting to serve the writ, by affixing the copy, in some conspicuous place on the outside of the house or other place where the prisoner is confined.
782.10(4)
(4) The person serving the writ shall make due and prompt return thereof with proof of service.
782.10 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.10.
782.11
782.11
Petitioner, when to pay charges. When such writ is directed to any person other than an officer, it may require as a duty to be performed, in order to render the service thereof effectual, that the charges of bringing up such prisoner shall be paid by the petitioner, and in such case the writ shall specify the amount of such charges so to be paid, which shall not exceed the fees allowed by law to sheriffs for similar services.
782.11 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59; Stats. 1979 s. 782.11.
782.12
782.12
Service of writ, when complete. Except where service is made under
s. 782.10 (3), the service of a writ of habeas corpus is not complete until the party serving the writ tenders to the custodian of the prisoner, if an officer, the fees allowed for bringing up the prisoner, nor unless, when required by the officer, the party shall also give the officer a bond in double the sum for which the prisoner is detained, if detained for a specific sum of money, and if not, then in the sum of $1,000, conditioned that the obligor will pay the charges of carrying back the prisoner if remanded and that the prisoner will not escape, either going to or returning from the place to which taken, and if the prisoner is not in the custody of an officer, and the writ requires that the charges of bringing up the prisoner shall be paid by the petitioner, then until the charges have been tendered to the respondent.
782.12 History
History: 1979 c. 32 ss.
59,
92 (11);
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.12.
782.13
782.13
Return to writ. Whenever a complete service of such writ shall have been made, the person upon whom it was served, having the custody of the prisoner, whether such writ be directed to the person or not, shall obey and make return to such writ and such prisoner shall be produced at the time and place specified therein.
782.13 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.13.
782.14
782.14
Return, what to state. The respondent shall state in the return:
782.14(1)
(1) Whether the prisoner is in the respondent's custody or power.
782.14(2)
(2) If the prisoner is in the respondent's custody or power the authority and true cause of such imprisonment, setting forth the same at large.
782.14(3)
(3) If the prisoner be detained by virtue of any written authority a copy thereof shall be annexed to the return and the original shall be produced to the court or judge before whom the same is returnable.
782.14(4)
(4) If the respondent shall have had the prisoner in the respondent's power or custody at any time, but has transferred such custody to another, the return shall state particularly to whom, at what time, for what cause and by what authority such transfer took place. The return must be signed by the person making it and shall be verified by oath.
782.14 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.14.
782.15
782.15
Prisoner produced, exception. The respondent shall bring the prisoner, according to the command of such writ, except in the case of sickness as provided in
s. 782.29.
782.15 History
History: 1979 c. 32 ss.
59,
92 (11); Stats. 1979 s. 782.15.
782.16
782.16
Obedience to writ compelled. If any person upon whom such writ shall have been duly served shall refuse or neglect to obey the same, within the time required, and no sufficient excuse shall be shown for such refusal or neglect the court or judge before whom such writ is returnable shall, upon proof of such service, forthwith issue an attachment against such person, directed to the sheriff of any county, commanding the sheriff forthwith to apprehend such person and to bring the person before such court or judge. The person so brought shall be committed to the county jail until making return to such writ and comply with any order that may be made in relation to the prisoner.
782.16 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.16.
782.17
782.17
Attachment of sheriff. If a sheriff neglects to make return to such writ the attachment may be directed to any coroner or other person to be designated therein, who shall execute the same; and such sheriff may be committed to the jail of any county other than the sheriff's own.
782.17 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.17.
782.18
782.18
Attachment may issue. In case of attachment an order may be issued to the officer or other person to whom such attachment is directed, commanding the officer or person to bring, forthwith, before the court or judge, the party for whose benefit such writ was allowed, who shall thereafter remain in the custody of such officer or other person, until discharged, bailed or remanded. In the execution of such attachment or order, the person executing it may call to the person's aid the power of the county.
782.18 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.18.
782.19
782.19
Return may be traversed. The prisoner may move to strike the return or may deny any of the material facts set forth in the return to the writ or allege any fact to show either that the imprisonment is unlawful or that the prisoner is entitled to a discharge, which allegations and denials shall be verified by oath; and the court or judge shall proceed in a summary way to examine into the facts contained in the return and to hear the allegations and proofs of the parties in support of such imprisonment or against the same.
782.19 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 762 (1975);
1975 c. 218;
1979 c. 32 s.
59; Stats. 1979 s. 782.19.
782.20
782.20
When party discharged. If no legal cause be shown for such imprisonment or restraint or for the continuance thereof the court or judge shall make a final order discharging such party from the custody or restraint.
782.20 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.20.
782.21
782.21
When remanded. The court or judge must make a final order to remand the prisoner if it shall appear that the prisoner is detained in custody either:
782.21(1)
(1) By virtue of process issued by any court or judge of the United States, in a case where such court or judge has exclusive jurisdiction; or
782.21(2)
(2) By virtue of the final judgment or order of any competent court of civil or criminal jurisdiction or of any execution issued upon such judgment or order; or
782.21(3)
(3) For any contempt, specially and plainly charged in the commitment by some court, officer or body having authority to commit for the contempt so charged; and
782.21(4)
(4) That the time during which such party may be legally detained has not expired.
782.21 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.21.
782.22
782.22
Discharge if in custody under process. 782.22(1)
(1) If it appear that the prisoner is in custody by virtue of civil process of any court or issued by any officer in the course of judicial proceedings before the officer such prisoner can be discharged in the following cases only:
782.22(1)(a)
(a) Where the jurisdiction of such court or officer has been exceeded, either as to matter, place, law or person.
782.22(1)(b)
(b) Where, although the original imprisonment was lawful, yet by some act, omission or event which has taken place afterward the prisoner is entitled to be discharged.
782.22(1)(d)
(d) When the process was issued in a case not allowed by law.
782.22(1)(e)
(e) Where the person having the custody of the prisoner is not empowered by law to detain the prisoner; or
782.22(1)(f)
(f) Where the process is not authorized by any judgment or order of any court nor by any provision of law.
782.22(2)
(2) But no court or judge, on the return of such writ, shall inquire into the legality or justice of any judgment, order or execution specified in
s. 782.21.
782.22 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59,
92 (11);
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.22;
1993 a. 486.
782.23
782.23
Prisoner, when bailed. If it appear that the prisoner has been legally committed for crime or if the prisoner appears, by the testimony offered with the return upon the hearing thereof, to be guilty of crime, although the commitment is irregular, the court or judge before whom the prisoner is brought shall release the prisoner on bail, if bailable and good bail be offered, or shall remand the prisoner.
782.23 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.23.
782.24
782.24
Prisoner, when remanded. If the prisoner is not entitled to discharge and is not bailed the court or judge shall remand the prisoner to the custody from which taken, if the person who had custody is legally entitled to custody; if not so entitled, the prisoner shall be committed to his or her legal custodian.
782.24 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.24.
782.25
782.25
Custody of prisoner pending proceedings. Until judgment be given upon the return the court or judge before whom the prisoner is brought may either commit the prisoner to the custody of the sheriff or place the prisoner in such care or under such custody as age and other circumstances may require.
782.25 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.25.
782.26
782.26
Interested person notified. When it appears from the return to such writ that the prisoner is in custody on any process under which any other person has an interest in continuing imprisonment no order shall be made for discharge until it shall appear that the interested person or attorney, if the person has one, if to be found within the county, shall have sufficient notice of the time and place at which writ is returnable.
782.26 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.26.
782.27
782.27
Notice to district attorney. When the prisoner is detained upon any criminal accusation no order for discharge shall be made until sufficient notice of the time and place at which such writ shall have been returned or shall be made returnable shall be given to the district attorney of the county, if to be found within the county.
782.27 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.27.
782.28
782.28
Transfer from circuit court commissioner. If the writ is returnable before a circuit court commissioner, either party may make a request for transfer to the court in which the matter is filed. Upon receipt of such request the circuit court commissioner shall forthwith transmit all papers and records in the proceedings to the court.
782.28 History
History: 1977 c. 135;
1979 c. 32 s.
59; Stats. 1979 s. 782.28;
2001 a. 61.
782.29
782.29
Proceedings in absence of prisoner; appearance by attorney. When from sickness or infirmity the prisoner cannot without danger be brought before the court or judge before whom the writ is made returnable the respondent may state that fact in the return, verifying the same by oath. If satisfied of the truth of such allegation and the return is otherwise sufficient, the court or judge shall proceed to dispose of the matter. The prisoner may appear by attorney and plead to the return. If it appears that the prisoner is illegally imprisoned the court or judge shall order discharge forthwith; but if it appears that the person is legally imprisoned and is not entitled to bail all further proceedings thereon shall cease.
782.29 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.29.
782.30
782.30
Order of discharge, how enforced, action for damages. Obedience to any final order discharging or directing the discharge of any prisoner may be enforced by the court making the order by attachment, in the manner provided for a neglect to make a return to a writ of habeas corpus and with the like effect in all respects. The person who is guilty of disobedience of the order shall be liable to the prisoner in the sum of $1,250 for damages, in addition to any special damages that the prisoner may have sustained.
782.30 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59; Stats. 1979 s. 782.30;
1997 a. 254.
782.31
782.31
Nonliability of officers. No officer shall be liable for obeying any final order discharging or directing the discharge of any prisoner.
782.31 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59; Stats. 1979 s. 782.31.
782.32
782.32
Reimprisonment for same cause; when cause not same. No person who has been discharged by the final order of any court or officer upon a writ of habeas corpus issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be again imprisoned, restrained or kept in custody for the same cause; but it shall not be deemed the same cause:
782.32(1)
(1) If the person has been discharged from a commitment on a criminal charge and is afterwards committed for the same offense by the legal order or process of the court wherein the person is bound by recognizance to appear or in which the person is informed against, indicted or convicted for the same offense; or
782.32(2)
(2) If after a discharge for defect of proof or for any material defect in the commitment in any criminal case the prisoner be again arrested on sufficient proof and committed by legal process for the same offense; or
782.32(3)
(3) If in a civil action the party has been discharged for any illegality in the judgment or process hereinbefore specified and is afterward imprisoned by legal process for the same cause or action; or
782.32(4)
(4) If in any civil action the person has been discharged from commitment on mesne process and shall be afterwards committed on execution in the same cause or on mesne process in any other cause after such first action shall have been discontinued.
782.32 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.32.
782.32 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: Effect of release on habeas corpus upon term of imprisonment, see s.
973.16.
782.33
782.33
Warrant in lieu of writ. Whenever it shall appear by satisfactory proof that any person is held in illegal imprisonment and that there is good reason to believe that the person will be carried out of the state or suffer some irreparable injury before the person can be relieved by habeas corpus, the judge may issue a warrant, reciting the facts and directed to any sheriff, constable or other person, commanding him or her to take such prisoner and forthwith to bring the prisoner before the judge, to be dealt with according to law.
782.33 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
59;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 782.33.
782.34
782.34
Order of arrest. When the proof mentioned in
s. 782.33 shall also be sufficient to justify an arrest of the person having such prisoner in custody, as for a criminal offense committed in the taking or detaining of such prisoner, the warrant shall also contain an order for the arrest of such person for such offense.
