Monroe County v. M.C., 2024AP924, 12/12/24, District IV (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity The Court of Appeals reversed the circuit court’s commitment order under Chapter 51 where the court did not make sufficient factual findings to support its conclusion that M.C. was dangerous, as required by D.J.W. Police issued a statement of emergency… Read more
3. Civil Commitments
Trempealeau County v. R.B., 2024AP1052, 12/10/24, District III (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity COA affirms, holding that the evidence of potential deterioration during commitment period justified extension order. “Rachel” was originally committed in July of 2023 due to concerns that she would harm herself given that she was hearing voices telling her kill… Read more
Vernon County v. F.W.R., 2024AP203, District IV, 11/6/24 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity COA rejects F.W.R.’s challenges to his involuntary commitment order under Wis. Stat. § 51.20 for alcohol dependence, concluding that a person may be involuntarily committed for treatment for alcoholism, the circuit court followed the proper procedures and the county met… Read more
Waukesha County v. M.D.S., Jr., 2024AP1315, District II, 11/6/24 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity COA rejects “Smith’s” challenges raising commonly-litigated appellate issues and affirms in this chapter 51 case, concluding that the circuit court applied the correct legal standard and the county met its burden to show that Smith was dangerous under sub… Read more
State v. N.K.B., 2023AP722-CR, 10/1/24, District I (recommended for publication); case activity N.K.B. (referred to as Naomi) was found incompetent to proceed on her criminal charges. The circuit court authorized involuntarily administering medication to Naomi because she was dangerous. Naomi argued on appeal that the circuit court did not have authority to authorize involuntarily medicating… Read more
Graham L. Stowe v. Gregory Van Rybroek, No. 23-3345, 8/21/24 This habeas appeal is limited to a facial challenge to the NGI conditional release statute, Wis. Stat. § 971.17(4)(d). The Seventh Circuit rejects Stowe’s argument, concluding that he cannot show that there are no circumstances under which the law’s application would be valid. After being… Read more
Ozaukee County v. S.S., 2024AP759, District II, 9/11/24 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity In determining whether to continue protective placement under Chapter 55, the County does not need to present an expert witness to establish an individual continues to meet the criteria for placement, and the circuit court may rely on the entire… Read more
State v. J.D.B., 2023AP715-CR, 9/10/24, District I (recommended for publication); case activity In a recommended-for-publication decision, COA wholly endorses all of J.D.B.’s arguments requiring a high burden of proof when the State seeks an involuntary medication order in order to render a defendant competent to stand trial. Along the way, COA offers a bevy of… Read more
