51.20(11)(11)Jury trial.
51.20(11)(a)(a) If before involuntary commitment a jury is demanded by the individual against whom a petition has been filed under sub. (1) or by the individual’s counsel if the individual does not object, the court shall direct that a jury of 6 people be selected to determine if the allegations specified in sub. (1) (a) or (ar) are true. A jury trial is deemed waived unless demanded at least 48 hours in advance of the time set for final hearing, if notice of that time has been previously provided to the subject individual or his or her counsel. If a jury trial demand is filed within 5 days of detention, the final hearing shall be held within 14 days of detention. If a jury trial demand is filed later than 5 days after detention, the final hearing shall be held within 14 days of the date of demand. If an inmate of a state prison, county jail or house of correction demands a jury trial within 5 days after the probable cause hearing, the final hearing shall be held within 28 days of the probable cause hearing. If an inmate of a state prison, county jail or house of correction demands a jury trial later than 5 days after the probable cause hearing, the final hearing shall be held within 28 days of the date of demand.
51.20(11)(b)(b) No verdict shall be valid or received unless agreed to by at least 5 of the jurors.
51.20(11)(c)(c) Motions after verdict may be made without further notice upon receipt of the verdict.
51.20(12)(12)Open hearings; exception. Every hearing which is held under this section shall be open, unless the subject individual or the individual’s attorney, acting with the individual’s consent, moves that it be closed. If the hearing is closed, only persons in interest, including representatives of providers of service and their attorneys and witnesses may be present. If the subject individual is a minor, every hearing shall be closed unless an open hearing is demanded by the minor through his or her counsel.
51.20(13)(13)Disposition.
51.20(13)(a)(a) At the conclusion of the proceedings the court shall:
51.20(13)(a)1.1. Dismiss the petition; or
51.20(13)(a)2.2. If the subject individual is an adult, or is a minor aged 14 years or more who is developmentally disabled, proceed under s. 51.67 to determine whether the subject individual should receive protective placement or protective services; or
51.20(13)(a)3.3. If the individual is not an inmate of a state prison, county jail or house of correction and the allegations specified in sub. (1) (a) are proven, order commitment to the care and custody of the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437, or if inpatient care is not required order commitment to outpatient treatment under care of such county department; or
51.20(13)(a)4.4. If the individual is an inmate of a state prison and the allegations under sub. (1) (a) or (ar) are proven, order commitment to the department and either authorize the transfer of the inmate to a state treatment facility or if inpatient care is not needed authorize treatment on an outpatient basis in the prison; or
51.20(13)(a)4m.4m. If the individual is an inmate of a county jail or house of correction and the allegations under sub. (1) (a) are proven, order commitment to the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 serving the inmate’s county of residence or, if the inmate is a nonresident, order commitment to the department. The order shall either authorize the transfer of the inmate to a state or county treatment facility or, if inpatient care is not needed, authorize treatment on an outpatient basis in the jail or house of correction; or
51.20(13)(a)5.5. If the allegations specified in sub. (1) (a) are proven and the subject individual is a nonresident, order commitment to the department.
51.20(13)(b)(b) If the petition has been dismissed under par. (a), the subject individual may agree to remain in any facility in which he or she was detained pending the hearing for the period of time necessary for alternative plans to be made for his or her care.
51.20(13)(c)(c) If disposition is made under par. (a) 3., all of the following apply:
51.20(13)(c)1.1. The court shall designate the facility or service that is to receive the subject individual into the mental health system, subject to s. 51.06 (3).
51.20(13)(c)2.2. The county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 shall arrange for treatment in the least restrictive manner consistent with the requirements of the subject individual in accordance with a court order designating the maximum level of inpatient facility, if any, that may be used for treatment, subject to s. 51.06 (3).
51.20(13)(c)3.3. The county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 shall report to the court as to the initial plan of treatment for the subject individual.
51.20(13)(cm)(cm) If disposition is made under par. (a) 4. or 4m. and the inmate is transferred to a state or county treatment facility, the department or, in the case of a disposition under par. (a) 4m., the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 may, after evaluating the inmate and developing an appropriate treatment plan, transfer the inmate back to the prison, county jail or house of correction on a conditional basis. The inmate shall be informed of the terms and conditions of the transfer as provided in s. 51.35 (1) (a). If the inmate does not cooperate with the treatment or if the inmate is in need of additional inpatient treatment, the department or the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 may return the inmate to a state or county treatment facility.
51.20(13)(cr)(cr) If the subject individual is before the court on a petition filed under a court order under s. 938.30 (5) (c) 1. and is found to have committed a violation that would be a felony if committed by an adult in this state or a violation of s. 940.225 (3m), 941.20 (1), 944.20, 944.30 (1m), 944.31 (1), 944.33, 946.52, or 948.10 (1) (b), the court shall require the individual to provide a biological specimen to the state crime laboratories for deoxyribonucleic acid analysis. The court shall inform the individual that he or she may request expungement under s. 165.77 (4).
51.20(13)(ct)1m.a.a. Except as provided in subd. 2m., if the subject individual is before the court on a petition filed under a court order under s. 938.30 (5) (c) 1. and is found to have committed any violation, or to have solicited, conspired, or attempted to commit any violation, of ch. 940, 944, or 948 or s. 942.08 or 942.09, or ss. 943.01 to 943.15, the court may require the subject individual to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45 if the court determines that the underlying conduct was sexually motivated, as defined in s. 980.01 (5), and that it would be in the interest of public protection to have the subject individual report under s. 301.45.
51.20(13)(ct)1m.b.b. If a court under subd. 1m. a. orders a person to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45 in connection with the commission of a violation, or the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit a violation, of s. 942.09, the court may provide that the person be released from the requirement to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45 upon satisfying conditions specified by the court. If the person satisfies the conditions, the court shall notify the department of corrections that the person has satisfied the conditions.
51.20(13)(ct)2m.2m. If the subject individual is before the court on a petition filed under a court order under s. 938.30 (5) (c) 1. and is found to have committed a violation, or to have solicited, conspired, or attempted to commit a violation, of s. 940.22 (2), 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 944.06, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, or 948.30, of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies, or of s. 940.30 or 940.31 if the victim was a minor and the subject individual was not the victim’s parent, the court shall require the individual to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45 unless the court determines, after a hearing on a motion made by the individual, that the individual is not required to comply under s. 301.45 (1m).
51.20(13)(ct)3.3. In determining under subd. 1m. a. whether it would be in the interest of public protection to have the subject individual report under s. 301.45, the court may consider any of the following:
51.20(13)(ct)3.a.a. The ages, at the time of the violation, of the subject individual and the victim of the violation.
51.20(13)(ct)3.b.b. The relationship between the subject individual and the victim of the violation.
51.20(13)(ct)3.c.c. Whether the violation resulted in bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (4), to the victim.
51.20(13)(ct)3.d.d. Whether the victim suffered from a mental illness or mental deficiency that rendered him or her temporarily or permanently incapable of understanding or evaluating the consequences of his or her actions.
51.20(13)(ct)3.e.e. The probability that the subject individual will commit other violations in the future.
51.20(13)(ct)3.g.g. Any other factor that the court determines may be relevant to the particular case.
51.20(13)(ct)4.4. If the court orders a subject individual to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45, the court may order the subject individual to continue to comply with the reporting requirements until his or her death.
51.20(13)(ct)5.5. If the court orders a subject individual to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45, the clerk of the court in which the order is entered shall promptly forward a copy of the order to the department of corrections. If the finding under s. 938.30 (5) (c) (intro.) on which the order is based is reversed, set aside or vacated, the clerk of the court shall promptly forward to the department of corrections a certificate stating that the finding has been reversed, set aside or vacated.
51.20(13)(cv)1.1. If the court makes the disposition under par. (a) 3., 4., 4m., or 5., the court shall order the individual not to possess a firearm, order the seizure of any firearm owned by the individual, and inform the individual of the requirements and penalties under s. 941.29 if the court determines that the individual is prohibited, under 18 USC 922 (g) (4), from possessing a firearm.
51.20(13)(cv)1m.a.a. If a court orders an individual under subd. 1., or ordered an individual under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1., 2007 stats., not to possess a firearm, the individual may petition that court or the court in the county where the individual resides to cancel the order.
51.20(13)(cv)1m.b.b. The court considering the petition under subd. 1m. a. shall grant the petition if the court determines that the circumstances regarding the disposition under par. (a) 3., 4., 4m., or 5. and the individual’s record and reputation indicate that the individual is not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that the granting of the petition would not be contrary to public interest.
51.20(13)(cv)1m.c.c. If the court grants the petition under subd. 1m. b., the court shall cancel the order under subd. 1., or the order under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1., 2007 stats., whichever is appropriate, and order the return of any firearm ordered seized under subd. 1. or s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1., 2007 stats.
51.20(13)(cv)3.3. In lieu of ordering the seizure under subd. 1., the court may designate a person to store the firearm until the order has been canceled under subd. 1m. c.
51.20(13)(cv)4.4. If the court orders a subject individual not to possess a firearm under subd. 1. or cancels under subd. 1m. c. an order issued under subd. 1. or under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1., 2007 stats., the court clerk shall notify the department of justice of that fact and provide any information identifying the subject individual that is necessary to permit an accurate firearms restrictions record search under s. 175.35 (2g) (c), a background check under s. 175.60 (9g) (a), or an accurate response under s. 165.63. No other information from the subject individual’s court records may be disclosed to the department of justice except by order of the court. The department of justice may disclose information provided under this subdivision only to respond to a request under s. 165.63, as part of a firearms restrictions record search under s. 175.35 (2g) (c), under rules the department of justice promulgates under s. 175.35 (2g) (d), or as part of a background check under s. 175.60 (9g) (a).
51.20(13)(d)(d) A disposition under par. (a) 3., 4., 4m. or 5. may be modified as provided in s. 51.35.
51.20(13)(dm)(dm) If the court finds that the dangerousness of the subject individual is likely to be controlled with appropriate medication administered on an outpatient basis, the court may direct in its order of commitment that the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 or the department may, after a facility evaluates the subject individual and develops an appropriate treatment plan, release the individual on a conditional transfer in accordance with s. 51.35 (1), with one of the conditions being that the individual shall take medication as prescribed by a physician, subject to the individual’s right to refuse medication under s. 51.61 (1) (g) and (h), and that the individual shall report to a particular treatment facility on an outpatient basis for evaluation as often as required by the director of the facility or the director’s designee. A finding by the court that the allegations under sub. (1) (a) 2. e. are proven constitutes a finding that the individual is not competent to refuse medication or treatment. The court order may direct that, if the director or his or her designee determines that the individual has failed to take the medication as prescribed or has failed to report for evaluation as directed, the director or designee may request that the individual be taken into custody by a law enforcement agency in accordance with s. 51.39, and that medication, as prescribed by the physician, may be administered voluntarily or against the will of the individual under s. 51.61 (1) (g) and (h). A court order under this paragraph is effective only as long as the commitment is in effect in accordance with par. (h) and s. 51.35 (4).
51.20(13)(e)(e) The petitioner has the burden of proving all required facts by clear and convincing evidence.
51.20(13)(f)(f) The county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 that receives an individual who is committed by a court under par. (a) 3. is authorized to place the individual in an approved treatment facility, subject to any limitations which are specified by the court under par. (c) 2. The county department shall place the subject individual in the treatment program and treatment facility that is least restrictive of the individual’s personal liberty, consistent with the treatment requirements of the individual. The county department has ongoing responsibility to review the individual’s needs, in accordance with sub. (17), and to transfer the person to the least restrictive program consistent with the individual’s needs. Placement or transfer under this paragraph is subject to s. 51.06 (3).
51.20(13)(g)1.1. The first order of commitment of a subject individual under this section may be for a period not to exceed 6 months, and all subsequent consecutive orders of commitment of the individual may be for a period not to exceed one year.
51.20(13)(g)2d.a.a. Except as provided in subd. 2d. b., after the 30th day after an order of commitment under par. (a) 3. to 5. following proof of the allegations under sub. (1) (a) 2. e., the subject individual may, under the order, be treated only on an outpatient basis.
51.20(13)(g)2d.b.b. If a subject individual who is committed under par. (a) 3. to 5., following proof of the allegations under sub. (1) (a) 2. e., and who is being treated on an outpatient basis violates a condition of treatment that is established by the court or a county department under s. 51.42, the county department or the department may transfer the subject individual under s. 51.35 (1) (e) to an inpatient facility or to an inpatient treatment program of a treatment facility for a period not to exceed 30 days.
51.20(13)(g)2r.2r. Twenty-one days prior to expiration of the period of commitment under subd. 1., the department, if the individual is committed to the department, or the county department to which an individual is committed shall file an evaluation of the individual and the recommendation of the department or county department regarding the individual’s recommitment with the committing court and provide a copy of the evaluation and recommendation to the individual’s counsel and the counsel designated under sub. (4). If the date for filing an evaluation and recommendation under this subdivision falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the date which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday and which most closely precedes the evaluation and recommendation filing date shall be the filing date. A failure of the department or the county department to which an individual is committed to file an evaluation and recommendation under this subdivision does not affect the jurisdiction of the court over a petition for recommitment.
51.20(13)(g)3.3. The county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 to whom the individual is committed under par. (a) 3. may discharge the individual at any time, and shall place a committed individual in accordance with par. (f). Upon application for extension of a commitment by the department or the county department having custody of the subject, the court shall proceed under subs. (10) to (13). If the court determines that the individual is a proper subject for commitment as prescribed in sub. (1) (a) 1. and evidences the conditions under sub. (1) (a) 2. or (am) or is a proper subject for commitment as prescribed in sub. (1) (ar), it shall order judgment to that effect and continue the commitment. The burden of proof is upon the county department or other person seeking commitment to establish evidence that the subject individual is in need of continued commitment.
51.20(13)(h)(h) Any disposition of a minor under this subsection may extend beyond the age of majority of the individual, if the disposition is otherwise made in accordance with this section.
51.20(14)(14)Transportation; expenses. The sheriff or any law enforcement officer shall transport an individual who is the subject of a petition and execute the commitment, or any competent relative, friend or member of the staff of a treatment facility may assume responsibility for the individual and transport him or her to the inpatient facility. The director of the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 may request the sheriff to provide transportation for a subject individual or may arrange any other method of transportation which is feasible. The county department may provide reimbursement for the transportation costs from its budgeted operating funds.
51.20(15)(15)Appeal. An appeal may be taken to the court of appeals within the time period specified in s. 808.04 (3) in accordance with s. 809.30 by the subject of the petition or the individual’s guardian, by any petitioner, or by the representative of the public.
51.20(16)(16)Reexamination of patients.
51.20(16)(a)(a) Except in the case of commitments under s. 51.45 (13), any patient who is involuntarily committed for treatment under this chapter may on the patient’s own verified petition except in the case of a minor who is under 14 years of age or on the verified petition of the patient’s guardian, relative, friend, or any person providing treatment under the order of commitment request a reexamination or request the court to modify or cancel an order of commitment.
51.20(16)(b)(b) A petition under this subsection may be filed with the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction over probate matters, either for the county from which the patient is committed or for the county in which the patient is detained.
51.20(16)(c)(c) If a hearing has been held with respect to the subject individual’s commitment within 30 days of the filing of a petition under this subsection, no hearing shall be held. If such a hearing has not been held within 30 days of the filing of a petition, but has been held within 120 days of the filing, the court shall within 24 hours of the filing order an examination to be completed within 7 days by the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437. A hearing may then be held in the court’s discretion. If such a hearing has not been held within 120 days of the filing, a hearing shall be held on the petition within 30 days of receipt.
51.20(16)(d)(d) Reexaminations under this subsection are subject to the standards prescribed in sub. (13) (g).
51.20(16)(e)(e) If the court determines or is required to hold a hearing, it shall thereupon proceed in accordance with sub. (9) (a). For the purposes of the examination and observation, the court may order the patient confined in any place designated in s. 51.15 (2) (d).
51.20(16)(f)(f) If a patient is involuntarily committed and placed in a hospital, a notice of the appointment of the examining physicians and copies of their reports shall be furnished to such hospital by the court.
51.20(16)(g)(g) Upon the filing of the examiners’ reports the court shall fix a time and place of hearing and cause reasonable notice to be given to the petitioner, the treatment facility, the patient’s legal counsel and the guardian of the patient, if any, and may notify any known relative of the patient. Subsections (10) to (13) shall govern the procedure to be used in the conduct of the hearing, insofar as applicable. The privileges provided in ss. 905.03 and 905.04 shall apply to reexamination hearings.
51.20(16)(h)(h) All persons who render services in such proceedings shall receive compensation as provided in sub. (18) and all expenses of such proceedings shall be paid and adjusted as provided in sub. (18).
51.20(16)(i)(i) Subsequent reexaminations may be had at any time in the discretion of the court but may be compelled after 120 days of the preceding examination in accordance with this subsection. All petitions for reexamination must be heard within 30 days of their receipt by the court.
51.20(16)(j)(j) This subsection applies to petitions for reexamination that are filed under ch. 971, but not s. 971.17, and ch. 975, except that the petitions shall be filed with the committing court.
51.20(16)(k)(k) Any order of a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 is subject to review by the court assigned to exercise probate jurisdiction upon petition under this subsection.
51.20(16)(L)(L) The pendency of an appeal in either the court of appeals or the supreme court does not deprive the circuit court of jurisdiction to conduct reexamination proceedings under this section with respect to the individual who is the subject of the appeal.
51.20(17)(17)Right to reevaluation. With the exception of commitments under s. 51.45 (13), every patient committed involuntarily to a board under this chapter shall be reevaluated by the treatment staff or visiting physician within 30 days after the commitment, and within 3 months after the initial reevaluation, and again thereafter at least once each 6 months for the purpose of determining whether such patient has made sufficient progress to be entitled to transfer to a less restrictive facility or discharge. The findings of such reevaluation shall be written and placed with the patient’s treatment record, and a copy shall be sent to the board that has responsibility for the patient and to the committing court.
51.20(18)(18)Fees of examiners, witnesses; expenses of proceedings.
51.20(18)(a)(a) Unless previously fixed by the county board of supervisors or the Milwaukee County mental health board in the county in which the examination is held, the examiners shall receive a fee as fixed by the court for participation in commitment proceedings, and reasonable reimbursement for travel expenses.
51.20(18)(b)(b) Witnesses subpoenaed before the court shall be entitled to the same fees as witnesses subpoenaed before the court in other cases.
51.20(18)(c)(c) Expenses of the proceedings from the presentation of the statement of emergency detention or petition for commitment to the conclusion of the proceeding shall be allowed by the court and paid by the county from which the subject individual is detained, committed, or released, in the manner that the expenses of a criminal prosecution are paid, as provided in s. 59.64 (1).
51.20(18)(d)(d) If the subject individual has a legal residence in a county other than the county from which he or she is detained, committed or discharged, that county shall reimburse the county from which the individual was detained, committed or discharged for all expenses under pars. (a) to (c). The county clerk on each July 1 shall submit evidences of payments of all such proceedings on nonresident payments to the department, which shall certify such expenses for reimbursement in the form of giving credits to the detaining, committing or discharging county and assessing such costs against the county of legal residence or against the state at the time of the next apportionment of charges and credits under s. 70.60.
51.20(19)(19)Departmental duties.
51.20(19)(a)(a) Prior to filing a petition for commitment of an inmate under sub. (1) (ar) the department shall:
51.20(19)(a)1.1. Attempt to use less restrictive forms of treatment with the individual. Less restrictive forms of treatment shall include, but are not limited to, voluntary treatment within the prison or voluntary transfer to a state treatment facility, including an admission which meets the requirements of s. 51.10 (4m).
51.20(19)(a)2.2. Ensure that the individual has been fully informed about his or her treatment needs, the mental health services available to him or her and his or her rights under this chapter and that the individual has had an opportunity to discuss his or her needs, the services available to him or her and his or her rights with a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist.
51.20(19)(b)(b) The department shall promulgate rules:
51.20(19)(b)1.1. Establishing standards for the use of psychotropic drugs on prisoners in a state prison and inmates committed under sub. (1) (ar).
51.20(19)(b)1m.1m. Establishing standards and procedures for use of and periodic review of the use of psychotropic drugs on inmates in a county jail or house of correction who are being treated in the jail or house of correction under a commitment based on a petition under sub. (1) (a).
51.20(19)(b)2.2. Providing for the periodic review and evaluation of the appropriateness of and the need for the use of psychotropic drugs on, and the need for the continuation of treatment for, each inmate committed under sub. (1) (ar).
51.20(19)(b)3.3. Needed to carry out its duties under par. (a).
51.20 HistoryHistory: 1975 c. 430; 1977 c. 26, 29; 1977 c. 187 ss. 42, 43, 134, 135; 1977 c. 428 ss. 29 to 65, 115; 1977 c. 447, 449; Sup. Ct. Order, 83 Wis. 2d xiii (1978); 1979 c. 32, 89; Sup. Ct. Order, eff. 1-1-80; 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (1); 1979 c. 175 s. 53; 1979 c. 300, 336, 356; 1981 c. 20, 367; 1981 c. 390 s. 252; 1983 a. 27, 219; 1983 a. 474 ss. 2 to 9m, 14; 1985 a. 29 ss. 1067 to 1071, 3200 (56), 3202 (56); 1985 a. 139, 176, 321, 332; 1987 a. 27; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1987 a. 366, 394, 403; 1989 a. 31, 334; 1993 a. 98, 196, 227, 316, 451, 474; 1995 a. 77, 201, 268, 292, 440; Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997); 1997 a. 35, 130, 237, 283; 1999 a. 83, 89, 162; 2001 a. 16 ss. 1966i to 1966n, 4034ze to 4034zh; 2001 a. 38, 61, 109; 2003 a. 33, 50, 326; 2005 a. 22, 264, 277, 387; 2007 a. 20, 45, 116; 2009 a. 137, 258, 260; 2013 a. 20, 158, 203, 223, 340, 362; 2015 a. 195; 2017 a. 34, 59, 131, 140; 2023 a. 224.
51.20 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also s. DOC 314.01, Wis. adm. code.
51.20 NoteNOTE: 1987 Wis. Act 366, which amended this section, contains notes by the Legislative Council following many of the statutes affected.
51.20 NoteNOTE: 1987 Wis. Act 394, which affected this section, contains a prefatory note and notes following the sections.
51.20 NoteJudicial Council Committee’s Note, 1981: The final sentence of sub. (1) (am) allows the court to consider the subject individual’s conduct during or subsequent to the crime as “recent” for purposes of involuntary civil commitment under this section, if the individual is proceeded against during, or immediately upon discharge from, a commitment for examination or treatment for incompetency to proceed as a criminal defendant. The relevancy of evidence of the individual’s conduct prior to the crime is to be determined by the court. The revised statute requires the subject individual’s dangerousness to be evidenced by acts, attempts, threats, omissions or behavior referred to in sub. (1) (a) 2. Prior law allowed commitment of such an individual upon a showing that there was a substantial likelihood, based on the treatment record, that he or she would be a proper subject for commitment if treatment were withdrawn. [Bill 765-A]
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2023-24 Wisconsin Statutes updated through all Supreme Court and Controlled Substances Board Orders filed before and in effect on January 1, 2025. Published and certified under s. 35.18. Changes effective after January 1, 2025, are designated by NOTES. (Published 1-1-25)