Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2026)
Sexually violent person petition; contents; filing
✓ current as of July 2026
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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 over 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 juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), from a residential care center for children and youth, as defined in s. 938.02 (15g), or from a commitment order.
980.02(1)(b)3.3. The county in which the person is in custody under a sentence, a placement to a juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), or a secured residential care center for children and youth, as defined in s. 938.02 (15g), or a commitment order.
980.02(1m)(1m) A petition filed under this section shall be filed before the person is released or discharged.
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)3.3. The person has been found not guilty of a sexually violent offense by reason of mental disease or defect.
980.02(2)(c)(c) The person is dangerous to others because the person’s mental disorder makes it likely 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)(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 juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), from a secured residential care center for children and youth, as defined in s. 938.02 (15g), 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 juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), a secured residential care center for children and youth, as defined in s. 938.02 (15g), 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(6)(6) A court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 does not have jurisdiction over a petition filed under this section alleging that a person who was adjudicated delinquent as a child is a sexually violent person.
980.02 HistoryHistory: 1993 a. 479; 1995 a. 77, 225; 1997 a. 27, 205, 283; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 187; 2005 a. 344, 434; 2007 a. 96.
980.02 AnnotationA commitment under this chapter 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 this chapter of a person originally committed under ch. 975. State v. Post, 197 Wis. 2d 279, 541 N.W.2d 115 (1995), 94-2356.
980.02 AnnotationTo the extent that s. 938.35 (1) prohibits the admission of delinquency adjudications in proceedings under this chapter, it is repealed by implication. State v. Matthew A.B., 231 Wis. 2d 688, 605 N.W.2d 598 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-0229.
980.02 AnnotationIn 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. Thiel, 2000 WI 67, 235 Wis. 2d 823, 612 N.W.2d 94, 99-0316. See also State v. Thiel, 2001 WI App 52, 241 Wis. 2d 439, 625 N.W.2d 321, 99-0316.
980.02 AnnotationWhile a commitment under this chapter is civil, a court does not lose subject matter jurisdiction because a petition is filed under a criminal case number. State v. Pharm, 2000 WI App 167, 238 Wis. 2d 97, 617 N.W.2d 163, 98-1542.
980.02 AnnotationThis chapter provides its own procedures for commencing actions, and, as such, chs. 801 and 802 are inapplicable to the commencement of actions under this chapter. State v. Wolfe, 2001 WI App 136, 246 Wis. 2d 233, 631 N.W.2d 240, 99-2145.
980.02 AnnotationWhen a petition under this chapter was filed within 90 days of release from a sentence for an offense that was not a sexually violent offense, which was being served concurrently with a shorter sentence imposed for a sexually violent offense, the petition was timely. State v. Treadway, 2002 WI App 195, 257 Wis. 2d 467, 651 N.W.2d 334, 00-2957.
980.02 AnnotationThe state was not precluded from seeking a commitment under this chapter following the defendant’s parole revocation, even though the state had failed to prove that the defendant was a sexually violent person in need of commitment in a previous trial under this chapter that took place prior to the defendant’s parole. State v. Parrish, 2002 WI App 263, 258 Wis. 2d 521, 654 N.W.2d 273, 00-2524.
980.02 AnnotationThe circuit court had jurisdiction to conduct proceedings under this chapter involving an enrolled tribal member who committed the underlying sexual offense on an Indian reservation. State v. Burgess, 2003 WI 71, 262 Wis. 2d 354, 665 N.W.2d 124, 00-3074. See also Burgess v. Watters, 467 F.3d 676 (2006).
980.02 AnnotationUnder sub. (1), a request from the agency with jurisdiction and a subsequent decision by the Department of Justice not to file are prerequisites to a district attorney’s authority to file a petition under this chapter. State v. Byers, 2003 WI 86, 263 Wis. 2d 113, 665 N.W.2d 729, 99-2441.
980.02 AnnotationThe threshold decision of whether a petition should be filed remains in the hands of the agency with jurisdiction and outside of the political process. A district attorney may contact the agency to seek clarification of the evaluator’s determination under this chapter, to correct factual mistakes, to provide new or additional information, or to ask for a second opinion with a different evaluator. However, the agency can independently exercise its judgment and choose to ignore the district attorney’s efforts or to decline the district attorney’s request for a second evaluation if the agency determines that these efforts and requests are improperly politically motivated. State v. Bell, 2006 WI App 30, 289 Wis. 2d 275, 710 N.W.2d 525, 05-0890.
980.02 AnnotationThat the definition of “dangerousness” under this chapter lacks a temporal context limited to imminent danger does not render the statute unconstitutional. State v. Olson, 2006 WI App 32, 290 Wis. 2d 202, 712 N.W.2d 61, 04-0412.
980.02 AnnotationThis chapter does not require the dismissal of a pending commitment petition when the individual subject to the petition is incarcerated because of the revocation of either parole or extended supervision. Section 980.06 requires the circuit court to order the individual to be committed to the custody of the Department of Health Services for control, care, and treatment, but this chapter does not specify when that commitment must commence. While s. 980.06 sets forth the requirements for a proper commitment order, neither that section nor any other section of this chapter contains language stating when the individual requirements of that order must be satisfied. State v. Gilbert, 2012 WI 72, 342 Wis. 2d 82, 816 N.W.2d 215, 10-0594.
980.02 AnnotationIf a petition under this chapter satisfies the statutory requirements in this section at the time it is filed, it will not be invalidated if the conviction recited in the petition is later reversed. Subsequent facts that impact the status of the allegations in the petition may be relevant at trial under s. 980.05, but they will not invalidate a petition that met the requirements of this section at the time of filing. State v. Spaeth, 2014 WI 71, 355 Wis. 2d 761, 850 N.W.2d 93, 12-2170.
980.02 AnnotationApplying the common and accepted legal meanings of “released” and “discharged” as those terms are used in sub. (1m), a petition under this chapter must be filed either before the person is freed from confinement in prison or before the person’s entire sentence is completed. In this case, even assuming that the Department of Corrections was required to release the defendant on the defendant’s presumptive mandatory release (PMR) date, a petition under this chapter filed after the PMR date but while the defendant remained incarcerated was timely filed based on the language of sub. (1m), which permits filing a petition under this chapter before a person is “discharged.” State v. Stanley, 2014 WI App 89, 356 Wis. 2d 268, 853 N.W.2d 600, 13-2477.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 85
cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1995–2026 · leading case: State v. Byers, 2003 WI 86 (Wis. 2003).
State v. Byers, 2003 WI 86 (Wis. 2003). “This case provides us with an opportunity to examine the limits of a district attorney's authority to file a petition alleging that a person is subject to involuntary commitment under Chapter 980 as a sexually violent person.”
State v. Rachel, 2002 WI 81 (Wis. 2002). “Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(ag) (1993-94), when the petition was filed, Rachel was within 90 days of his release on a prison sentence for second-degree sexual assault and false imprisonment.”
State v. Joseph J. Spaeth, 2014 WI 71 (Wis. 2014). “"2 Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(a). The central dispute between the parties in this case is what is necessary to satisfy this statutory requirement.”
State v. Post, 541 N.W.2d 115 (Wis. 1995). “The remaining language merely refers to those within 90 days of release from "a commitment order," (See Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (1)(b)2, (4)(am), and (b)) "that was entered as a result of a sexually violent offense.”
State v. Gilbert, 2012 WI 72 (Wis. 2012). “4 On December 4, 2006, while Gilbert was still in the custody of the Department of Corrections ("DOC"), the State filed a petition seeking his commitment pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 980.02 . The same day, the circuit court reviewed the petition, found probable cause to believe…”
State v. Carpenter, 541 N.W.2d 105 (Wis. 1995). “Kane opined that there is a substantial probability that Carpenter will engage in future acts of sexual violence.”
State Ex Rel. Thorson v. Schwarz, 2004 WI 96 (Wis. 2004). “Although a sexually violent offense serves as one of the prerequisites for initiating a proceeding under Chapter 980, Wis. Stat. § 980.02 specifies additional allegations that must accompany the petition in order to initiate an independent proceeding.”
State v. Thiel, 2000 WI 67 (Wis. 2000). “Thiel contends that read together, Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (2) and 980.05(3)(a) unambiguously set forth the State's burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the petition was filed within 90 days of his release.”
State v. Jones (In Re Commitment of Jones), 911 N.W.2d 97 (Wis. 2018). “2015AP2665 "sexually violent person" under Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (1)(a) (2015- 16).2 ¶2 On November 29, 1993, Jones was convicted of three counts of second-degree sexual assault, use of force, under Wis.”
State v. Thomas, 2000 WI App 162 (Wis. Ct. App. 2000). “This is contrary, he contended, to the requirement in Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(ag) that the petition be filed within ninety days of release or discharge.”
Milwaukee Cnty. v. Mary F.-R., 823 N.W.2d 841 (Wis. 2013). “Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (1)(a)-(b); State v. Byers, 2003 WI 86 , ¶43 263 Wis.”
State v. Hager (In Re Commitment of Hager), 911 N.W.2d 17 (Wis. 2018). “" Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2). In order to initially commit an individual pursuant to Chapter 980, the State must prove these elements beyond a reasonable doubt.”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(1) — 1 case
State v. Byers, 2003 WI 86 (Wis. 2003). “This case provides us with an opportunity to examine the limits of a district attorney's authority to file a petition alleging that a person is subject to involuntary commitment under Chapter 980 as a sexually violent person.”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(1m) — 1 case
State v. Joseph J. Spaeth, 2014 WI 71 (Wis. 2014). “"2 Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(a). The central dispute between the parties in this case is what is necessary to satisfy this statutory requirement.”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2) — 15 cases
State v. Thiel, 2000 WI 67 (Wis. 2000). “Thiel contends that read together, Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (2) and 980.05(3)(a) unambiguously set forth the State's burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the petition was filed within 90 days of his release.”
State v. Thiel, 2001 WI App 52 (Wis. Ct. App. 2001).
State Ex Rel. Thorson v. Schwarz, 2004 WI 96 (Wis. 2004). “Although a sexually violent offense serves as one of the prerequisites for initiating a proceeding under Chapter 980, Wis. Stat. § 980.02 specifies additional allegations that must accompany the petition in order to initiate an independent proceeding.”
State v. Thomas, 2000 WI App 162 (Wis. Ct. App. 2000). “This is contrary, he contended, to the requirement in Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(ag) that the petition be filed within ninety days of release or discharge.”
State v. Bush, 2005 WI 103 (Wis. 2005).
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2)(a) — 6 cases
State v. Post, 541 N.W.2d 115 (Wis. 1995). “The remaining language merely refers to those within 90 days of release from "a commitment order," (See Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (1)(b)2, (4)(am), and (b)) "that was entered as a result of a sexually violent offense.”
State v. Rachel, 2002 WI 81 (Wis. 2002). “Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(ag) (1993-94), when the petition was filed, Rachel was within 90 days of his release on a prison sentence for second-degree sexual assault and false imprisonment.”
State v. Thiel, 2001 WI App 52 (Wis. Ct. App. 2001).
State v. Gilbert, 2012 WI 72 (Wis. 2012). “4 On December 4, 2006, while Gilbert was still in the custody of the Department of Corrections ("DOC"), the State filed a petition seeking his commitment pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 980.02 . The same day, the circuit court reviewed the petition, found probable cause to believe…”
State v. Joseph J. Spaeth, 2014 WI 71 (Wis. 2014). “"2 Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(a). The central dispute between the parties in this case is what is necessary to satisfy this statutory requirement.”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2)(a)(l) — 1 case
State v. Gilbert, 2012 WI 72 (Wis. 2012). “4 On December 4, 2006, while Gilbert was still in the custody of the Department of Corrections ("DOC"), the State filed a petition seeking his commitment pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 980.02 . The same day, the circuit court reviewed the petition, found probable cause to believe…”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2)(ag) — 17 cases
State v. Keith, 573 N.W.2d 888 (Wis. Ct. App. 1997).
State v. Carpenter, 541 N.W.2d 105 (Wis. 1995). “Kane opined that there is a substantial probability that Carpenter will engage in future acts of sexual violence.”
State Ex Rel. Thorson v. Schwarz, 2004 WI 96 (Wis. 2004). “Although a sexually violent offense serves as one of the prerequisites for initiating a proceeding under Chapter 980, Wis. Stat. § 980.02 specifies additional allegations that must accompany the petition in order to initiate an independent proceeding.”
State v. Byers, 2003 WI 86 (Wis. 2003). “This case provides us with an opportunity to examine the limits of a district attorney's authority to file a petition alleging that a person is subject to involuntary commitment under Chapter 980 as a sexually violent person.”
State v. Zanelli, 569 N.W.2d 301 (Wis. Ct. App. 1997).
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2)(b) — 6 cases
State v. Post, 541 N.W.2d 115 (Wis. 1995). “The remaining language merely refers to those within 90 days of release from "a commitment order," (See Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (1)(b)2, (4)(am), and (b)) "that was entered as a result of a sexually violent offense.”
State Ex Rel. Thorson v. Schwarz, 2004 WI 96 (Wis. 2004). “Although a sexually violent offense serves as one of the prerequisites for initiating a proceeding under Chapter 980, Wis. Stat. § 980.02 specifies additional allegations that must accompany the petition in order to initiate an independent proceeding.”
State v. Wolfe, 2001 WI App 136 (Wis. Ct. App. 2001).
State Ex Rel. Marberry v. MacHt, 2002 WI App 133 (Wis. Ct. App. 2002).
In Re Commitment of Feldmann, 2007 WI App 35 (Wis. Ct. App. 2007).
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2)(c) — 4 cases
State v. Post, 541 N.W.2d 115 (Wis. 1995). “The remaining language merely refers to those within 90 days of release from "a commitment order," (See Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (1)(b)2, (4)(am), and (b)) "that was entered as a result of a sexually violent offense.”
State v. Matthew A.B., 605 N.W.2d 598 (Wis. Ct. App. 1999).
State v. Ransdell, 2001 WI App 202 (Wis. Ct. App. 2001).
State v. Tabor, 2005 WI App 107 (Wis. 2005).
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2)(e) — 1 case
State v. Post, 541 N.W.2d 115 (Wis. 1995). “The remaining language merely refers to those within 90 days of release from "a commitment order," (See Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (1)(b)2, (4)(am), and (b)) "that was entered as a result of a sexually violent offense.”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(3) — 1 case
State v. Thiel, 2000 WI 67 (Wis. 2000). “Thiel contends that read together, Wis. Stat. §§ 980.02 (2) and 980.05(3)(a) unambiguously set forth the State's burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the petition was filed within 90 days of his release.”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(4) — 1 case
State v. Tainter, 2002 WI App 296 (Wis. Ct. App. 2002).
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(ag) — 1 case
State v. Gilbert, 2012 WI 72 (Wis. 2012). “4 On December 4, 2006, while Gilbert was still in the custody of the Department of Corrections ("DOC"), the State filed a petition seeking his commitment pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 980.02 . The same day, the circuit court reviewed the petition, found probable cause to believe…”
— Wis. Stat. § 980.02(lm) — 4 cases
State v. Gilbert, 2012 WI 72 (Wis. 2012). “4 On December 4, 2006, while Gilbert was still in the custody of the Department of Corrections ("DOC"), the State filed a petition seeking his commitment pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 980.02 . The same day, the circuit court reviewed the petition, found probable cause to believe…”
State v. Joseph J. Spaeth, 2014 WI 71 (Wis. 2014). “"2 Wis. Stat. § 980.02 (2)(a). The central dispute between the parties in this case is what is necessary to satisfy this statutory requirement.”
State v. Stanley, 2014 WI App 89 (Wis. Ct. App. 2014).
In Re Commitment of Luttrell, 2008 WI App 93 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
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treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.