AB1163: Bill Text

Age of juvenile court jurisdiction

This bill raises from 17 to 18 the age at which a person who is alleged to have violated a criminal law is subject to the procedures specified in the Criminal Procedure Code and, on conviction, to sentencing under the Criminal Code. The bill raises from 17 to 18 the age at which a person who is alleged to have violated a civil law or municipal ordinance is subject to the jurisdiction and procedures of the circuit court or, if applicable, the municipal court.

Under current law, a person 17 years of age or older who is alleged to have violated a criminal law is subject to the procedures specified in the Criminal Procedure Code and, on conviction, is subject to sentencing under the Criminal Code, which may include a sentence of imprisonment in the Wisconsin state prisons. Currently, subject to certain exceptions, a person under 17 years of age who is alleged to have violated a criminal law is subject to the procedures specified in the Juvenile Justice Code and, on being adjudicated delinquent, is subject to an array of dispositions under that code, including placement in a juvenile correctional facility.

Similarly, under current law, a person 17 years of age or older who is alleged to have violated a civil law or municipal ordinance is subject to the jurisdiction and procedures of the circuit court or, if applicable, the municipal court, while a person under 17 years of age who is alleged to have violated a civil law or municipal ordinance, subject to certain exceptions, is subject to the jurisdiction and procedures of the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under the Juvenile Justice Code.

Seventeen-year-old juvenile justice aids

Under current law, counties are responsible for paying the costs associated with juvenile delinquency-related services, including the costs for a placement of a juvenile in a juvenile correctional facility, juvenile detention facility, or the juvenile portion of a county jail. The bill creates a sum sufficient appropriation for Department of Children and Families to reimburse counties, beginning on January 1, 2024, for costs associated with juveniles who were alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance at age 17.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB1163,1 Section 1 . 20.437 (1) (cL) of the statutes is created to read:

AB1163,3,2 20.437 (1) (cL) Seventeen-year-old juvenile justice aids. A sum sufficient for the purposes under s. 48.5275.

AB1163,2 Section 2 . 48.02 (1d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,3,7 48.02 (1d) “Adult" means a person who is 18 years of age or older, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated any state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, “ adult" means a person who has attained 17 years of age.

AB1163,3 Section 3 . 48.02 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,3,13 48.02 (2) “Child," when used without further qualification, means a person who is less than 18 years of age, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, “child" does not include a person who has attained 17 years of age.

AB1163,4 Section 4 . Subchapter IX (title) of chapter 48 [precedes 48.44] of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,3,16 CHAPTER 48

AB1163,3,19 SUBCHAPTER IX JURISDICTION OVER PERSON 17 OR OLDER adults

AB1163,5 Section 5 . 48.44 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,3,24 48.44 Jurisdiction over persons 17 or older adults. The court has jurisdiction over persons 17 years of age or older adults as provided under ss. 48.133, 48.355 (4), 48.357 (6), 48.365 (5), and 48.45 and as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.

AB1163,6 Section 6 . 48.45 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,4,8 48.45 (1) (a) If in the hearing of a case of a child alleged to be in a condition described in s. 48.13 it appears that any person 17 years of age or older adult has been guilty of contributing to, encouraging, or tending to cause by any act or omission, such that condition of the child, the judge may make orders with respect to the conduct of such that person in his or her relationship to the child, including orders determining the ability of the person to provide for the maintenance or care of the child and directing when, how, and from where funds for the maintenance or care shall be paid.

AB1163,7 Section 7 . 48.45 (1) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,4,16 48.45 (1) (am) If in the hearing of a case of an unborn child and the unborn child's expectant mother alleged to be in a condition described in s. 48.133 it appears that any person 17 years of age or over adult has been guilty of contributing to, encouraging, or tending to cause by any act or omission, such that condition of the unborn child and expectant mother, the judge may make orders with respect to the conduct of such that person in his or her relationship to the unborn child and expectant mother.

AB1163,8 Section 8 . 48.45 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,4,22 48.45 (3) If it appears at a court hearing that any person 17 years of age or older adult has violated s. 948.40, the judge shall refer the record to the district attorney for criminal proceedings as may be warranted in the district attorney's judgment. This subsection does not prevent prosecution of violations of s. 948.40 without the prior reference by the judge to the district attorney, as in other criminal cases.

AB1163,9 Section 9 . 48.5275 of the statutes is created to read:

AB1163,5,3 48.5275 Seventeen-year-old juvenile justice aids. Notwithstanding s. 48.526, from the appropriation under s. 20.437 (1) (cL), beginning on January 1, 2024, the department shall reimburse counties for the costs under s. 48.526 (2) (c) associated with juveniles who were alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance at age 17.

AB1163,10 Section 10 . 118.163 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,5,6 118.163 (4) A person who is under 17 years of age a minor on the date of disposition is subject to s. 938.342.

AB1163,11 Section 11 . 125.07 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,5,11 125.07 (4) (d) A person who is under 17 years of age a minor on the date of disposition is subject to s. 938.344 unless proceedings have been instituted against the person in a court of civil or criminal jurisdiction after dismissal of the citation under s. 938.344 (3).

AB1163,12 Section 12 . 125.07 (4) (e) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,5,14 125.07 (4) (e) 1. In this paragraph, “defendant" means a person found guilty of violating par. (a) or (b) who is 17, 18, 19 or 20 an adult under 21 years of age.

AB1163,13 Section 13 . 125.085 (3) (bt) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,5,19 125.085 (3) (bt) A person who is under 17 years of age a minor on the date of disposition is subject to s. 938.344 unless proceedings have been instituted against the person in a court of civil or criminal jurisdiction after dismissal of the citation under s. 938.344 (3).

AB1163,14 Section 14 . 165.83 (1) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,5,22 165.83 (1) (c) 1. An act that is committed by a person who has attained the age of 17 an adult and that is a felony or a misdemeanor.

AB1163,15 Section 15 . 165.83 (1) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,6,3 165.83 (1) (c) 2. An act that is committed by a person minor who has attained the age of 10 but who has not attained the age of 17 and that would be a felony or misdemeanor if committed by an adult.

AB1163,16 Section 16 . 301.12 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,6,7 301.12 (2m) The liability specified in sub. (2) shall not apply to persons 17 and older adults receiving care, maintenance, services, and supplies provided by prisons named in s. 302.01.

AB1163,17 Section 17 . 301.12 (14) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,6,19 301.12 (14) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), liability of a person specified in sub. (2) or s. 301.03 (18) for care and maintenance of persons under 17 years of age minors in residential, nonmedical facilities such as group homes, foster homes, residential care centers for children and youth, and juvenile correctional institutions is determined in accordance with the cost-based fee established under s. 301.03 (18). The department shall bill the liable person up to any amount of liability not paid by an insurer under s. 632.89 (2) or (4m) or by other 3rd-party benefits, subject to rules that include formulas governing ability to pay promulgated by the department under s. 301.03 (18). Any liability of the resident not payable by any other person terminates when the resident reaches age 17 becomes an adult, unless the liable person has prevented payment by any act or omission.

AB1163,18 Section 18 . 302.31 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,7,2 302.31 (7) The temporary placement of persons in the custody of the department, other than persons under 17 years of age minors, and persons who have attained the age of 17 years but have not attained adults under the age of 25 years who are under the supervision of the department under s. 938.355 (4) and who have been taken into custody pending revocation of community supervision or aftercare supervision under s. 938.357 (5) (e).

AB1163,19 Section 19 . 938.02 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,7,7 938.02 (1) “Adult" means a person who is 18 years of age or older, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated any state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, “ adult" means a person who has attained 17 years of age.

AB1163,20 Section 20 . 938.02 (10m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,7,13 938.02 (10m) “Juvenile," when used without further qualification, means a person who is less than 18 years of age, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, “juvenile" does not include a person who has attained 17 years of age.

AB1163,21 Section 21 . 938.12 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,7,19 938.12 (2) Seventeen-year-olds Juveniles who become adults. If a petition alleging that a juvenile is delinquent is filed before the juvenile is 17 years of age becomes an adult, but the juvenile becomes 17 years of age an adult before admitting the facts of the petition at the plea hearing or, if the juvenile denies the facts, before an adjudication, the court retains jurisdiction over the case.

AB1163,22 Section 22 . 938.18 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,8,4 938.18 (2) Petition. The petition for waiver of jurisdiction may be filed by the district attorney or the juvenile or may be initiated by the court and shall contain a brief statement of the facts supporting the request for waiver. The petition for waiver of jurisdiction shall be accompanied by or filed after the filing of a petition alleging delinquency and shall be filed prior to the plea hearing, except that if the juvenile denies the facts of the petition and becomes 17 years of age an adult before an adjudication, the petition for waiver of jurisdiction may be filed at any time prior to the adjudication. If the court initiates the petition for waiver of jurisdiction, the judge shall disqualify himself or herself from any future proceedings on the case.

AB1163,23 Section 23 . 938.183 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,8,13 938.183 (3) Placement in state prison; parole. When Subject to s. 973.013 (3m), when a juvenile who is subject to a criminal penalty under sub. (1m) or s. 938.183 (2), 2003 stats., attains the age of 17 years becomes an adult, the department of corrections may place the juvenile in a state prison named in s. 302.01, except that that department may not place any person under the age of 18 years in the correctional institution authorized in s. 301.16 (1n). A juvenile who is subject to a criminal penalty under sub. (1m) or under s. 938.183 (2), 2003 stats., for an act committed before December 31, 1999, is eligible for parole under s. 304.06.

AB1163,24 Section 24 . 938.255 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,8,21 938.255 (1) Title and contents. (intro.) A petition initiating proceedings under this chapter, other than a petition initiating proceedings under s. 938.12, 938.125, or 938.13 (12), shall be entitled, “In the interest of (juvenile's name), a person under the age of 18".." A petition initiating proceedings under s. 938.12, 938.125, or 938.13 (12) shall be entitled, “In the interest of (juvenile's name), a person under the age of 17". juvenile." A petition initiating proceedings under this chapter shall specify all of the following:

AB1163,25 Section 25 . 938.34 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,9,20 938.34 (8) Forfeiture. Impose a forfeiture based upon a determination that this disposition is in the best interest of the juvenile and the juvenile's rehabilitation. The maximum forfeiture that the court may impose under this subsection for a violation by a juvenile is the maximum amount of the fine that may be imposed on an adult for committing that violation or, if the violation is applicable only to a person under 18 years of age juveniles, $100. The order shall include a finding that the juvenile alone is financially able to pay the forfeiture and shall allow up to 12 months for payment. If the juvenile fails to pay the forfeiture, the court may vacate the forfeiture and order other alternatives under this section; or the court may suspend any license issued under ch. 29 for not less than 30 days nor more than 5 years, or suspend the juvenile's operating privilege, as defined in s. 340.01 (40), for not more than 2 years. If the court suspends any license under this subsection, the clerk of the court shall immediately take possession of the suspended license if issued under ch. 29 or, if the license is issued under ch. 343, the court may take possession of, and if possession is taken, shall destroy, the license. The court shall forward to the department which that issued the license a notice of suspension stating that the suspension is for failure to pay a forfeiture imposed by the court, together with any license issued under ch. 29 of which the court takes possession. If the forfeiture is paid during the period of suspension, the suspension shall be reduced to the time period which that has already elapsed and the court shall immediately notify the department, which shall then, if the license is issued under ch. 29, return the license to the juvenile. Any recovery under this subsection shall be reduced by the amount recovered as a forfeiture for the same act under s. 938.45 (1r) (b).

AB1163,26 Section 26 . 938.343 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,9,25 938.343 (2) Forfeiture. Impose a forfeiture not to exceed the maximum forfeiture that may be imposed on an adult for committing that violation or, if the violation is only applicable to a person under 18 years of age juveniles, $50. The order shall include a finding that the juvenile alone is financially able to pay and shall allow up to 12 months for the payment. If a juvenile fails to pay the forfeiture, the court may suspend any license issued under ch. 29 or suspend the juvenile's operating privilege, as defined in s. 340.01 (40), for not more than 2 years. The court shall immediately take possession of the suspended license if issued under ch. 29 or, if the license is issued under ch. 343, the court may take possession of, and if possession is taken, shall destroy, the license. The court shall forward to the department which that issued the license the notice of suspension stating that the suspension is for failure to pay a forfeiture imposed by the court, together with any license issued under ch. 29 of which the court takes possession. If the forfeiture is paid during the period of suspension, the court shall immediately notify the department, which shall, if the license is issued under ch. 29, return the license to the person. Any recovery under this subsection shall be reduced by the amount recovered as a forfeiture for the same act under s. 938.45 (1r) (b).

AB1163,27 Section 27 . 938.344 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,10,22 938.344 (3) Prosecution in adult court. If the juvenile alleged to have committed the violation is within 3 months of his or her 17th birthday becoming an adult, the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 may, at the request of the district attorney or on its own motion, dismiss the citation without prejudice and refer the matter to the district attorney for prosecution under s. 125.07 (4). The juvenile is entitled to a hearing only on the issue of his or her age. This subsection does not apply to violations under s. 961.573 (2), 961.574 (2), or 961.575 (2) or a local ordinance that strictly conforms to one of those statutes.

AB1163,28 Section 28 . 938.35 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,11,4 938.35 (1m) Future criminal proceedings barred. Disposition by the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 of any allegation under s. 938.12 or 938.13 (12) shall bar any future proceeding on the same matter in criminal court when the juvenile attains 17 years of age becomes an adult. This subsection does not affect proceedings in criminal court that have been transferred under s. 938.18.

AB1163,29 Section 29 . 938.355 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,12,2 938.355 (4) (b) Except as provided in s. 938.368, an order under s. 938.34 (4d) or (4m) made before the juvenile attains 18 years of age may apply for up to 2 years after the date on which the order is granted or until the juvenile's 18th 19th birthday, whichever is earlier, unless the court specifies a shorter period of time or the court terminates the order sooner. If the order does not specify a termination date, it shall apply for one year after the date on which the order is granted or until the juvenile's 18th 19th birthday, whichever is earlier, unless the court terminates the order sooner. Except as provided in s. 938.368, an order under s. 938.34 (4h) made before the juvenile attains 18 years of age shall apply for 5 years after the date on which the order is granted, if the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent for committing a violation of s. 943.10 (2) or for committing an act that would be punishable as a Class B or C felony if committed by an adult, or until the juvenile reaches 25 years of age, if the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent for committing an act that would be punishable as a Class A felony if committed by an adult. Except as provided in s. 938.368, an extension of an order under s. 938.34 (4d), (4h), (4m), or (4n) made before the juvenile attains 17 years of age becomes an adult shall terminate at the end of one year after the date on which the order is granted unless the court specifies a shorter period of time or the court terminates the order sooner. No extension under s. 938.365 of an original dispositional order under s. 938.34 (4d), (4h), (4m), or (4n) may be granted for a juvenile who is 17 years of age or older when becomes an adult by the time the original dispositional order terminates.

AB1163,30 Section 30 . 938.355 (4m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,12,9 938.355 (4m) (a) A juvenile who has been adjudged delinquent under s. 48.12, 1993 stats., or s. 938.12 may, on attaining 17 years of age becoming an adult, petition the court to expunge the court's record of the juvenile's adjudication. Subject to par. (b), the court may expunge the record if the court determines that the juvenile has satisfactorily complied with the conditions of his or her dispositional order and that the juvenile will benefit from, and society will not be harmed by, the expungement.

AB1163,31 Section 31 . 938.39 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,12,15 938.39 Disposition by court bars criminal proceeding. Disposition by the court of any violation of state law within its jurisdiction under s. 938.12 bars any future criminal proceeding on the same matter in circuit court when the juvenile reaches the age of 17 becomes an adult. This section does not affect criminal proceedings in circuit court that were transferred under s. 938.18.

AB1163,32 Section 32 . Subchapter IX (title) of chapter 938 [precedes 938.44] of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,12,18 CHAPTER 938

AB1163,12,21 SUBCHAPTER IX JURISDICTION OVER PERSONS 17 OR OLDER adults

AB1163,33 Section 33 . 938.44 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,12,25 938.44 Jurisdiction over persons 17 or older adults. The court has jurisdiction over persons 17 years of age or older adults as provided under ss. 938.355 (4), 938.357 (6), 938.365 (5), and 938.45 and as otherwise specified in this chapter.

AB1163,34 Section 34. 938.45 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,13,9 938.45 (1) (a) If in the hearing of a case of a juvenile alleged to be delinquent under s. 938.12 or in need of protection or services under s. 938.13 it appears that any person 17 years of age or older adult has been guilty of contributing to, encouraging, or tending to cause by any act or omission, such that condition of the juvenile, the court may make orders with respect to the conduct of that person in his or her relationship to the juvenile, including orders relating to determining the ability of the person to provide for the maintenance or care of the juvenile and directing when, how, and from where funds for the maintenance or care shall be paid.

AB1163,35 Section 35 . 938.45 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,13,15 938.45 (3) Prosecution of adult contributing to delinquency of juvenile. If it appears at a court hearing that any person 17 years of age or older adult has violated s. 948.40, the court shall refer the record to the district attorney. This subsection does not prohibit prosecution of violations of s. 948.40 without the prior reference by the court to the district attorney.

AB1163,36 Section 36 . 938.48 (4m) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,13,18 938.48 (4m) (title) Continuing care and services for juveniles over 17 who become adults.

AB1163,37 Section 37 . 938.48 (4m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,13,20 938.48 (4m) (a) Is at least 17 years of age an adult.

AB1163,38 Section 38 . 938.48 (4m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,13,24 938.48 (4m) (b) Was under the supervision of the department under s. 938.183, 938.34 (4h), or 938.357 (3) or (4) when the person reached 17 years of age became an adult.

AB1163,39 Section 39 . 938.48 (14) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1163,14,8 938.48 (14) School-related expenses for juveniles over 17 who become adults. Pay maintenance, tuition, and related expenses from the appropriation under s. 20.410 (3) (ho) for persons who, when they attained 17 years of age became adults, were students regularly attending a school, college, or university or regularly attending a course of vocational or technical training designed to prepare them for gainful employment, and who upon attaining that age becoming adults were under the supervision of the department under s. 938.183, 938.34 (4h), or 938.357 (3) or (4) as a result of a judicial decision.