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48.273(1)(1)
48.273(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in pars. (ag), (ar), and (b), service of summons or notice required by s. 48.27 may be made by mailing a copy of the summons or notice to the person summoned or notified.
48.273(1)(ag)(ag) In a situation described in s. 48.27 (3) (d) involving an Indian child, service of summons or notice required by s. 48.27 to the Indian child’s parent, Indian custodian, or tribe shall be made as provided in s. 48.028 (4) (a).
48.273(1)(ar)(ar) Except as provided in par. (b), if the person fails to appear at the hearing or otherwise to acknowledge service, a continuance shall be granted and service shall be made personally by delivering to the person a copy of the summons or notice; except that if the court determines that it is impracticable to serve the summons or notice personally, the court may order service by certified mail addressed to the last-known address of the person.
48.273(1)(b)(b) The court may refuse to grant a continuance when the child is being held in secure custody, but if the court so refuses, the court shall order that service of notice of the next hearing be made personally or by certified mail to the last-known address of the person who failed to appear at the hearing.
48.273(1)(c)(c) Personal service shall be made at least 72 hours before the hearing. Mail shall be sent at least 7 days before the hearing, except as follows:
48.273(1)(c)1.1. When the petition is filed under s. 48.13 and the person to be notified lives outside the state, the mail shall be sent at least 14 days before the hearing.
48.273(1)(c)2.2. When a petition under s. 48.13 or 48.133 involves an Indian child who has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian and the person to be notified is the Indian child’s parent, Indian custodian, or tribe, the mail shall be sent so that it is received by the person to be notified at least 10 days before the hearing or, if the identity or location of the person to be notified cannot be determined, by the U.S. secretary of the interior at least 15 days before the hearing.
48.273(2)(2)Service of summons or notice required by this chapter may be made by any suitable person under the direction of the court.
48.273(3)(3)The expenses of service of summons or notice or of the publication of summons or notice and the traveling expenses and fees as allowed in ch. 885 incurred by any person summoned or required to appear at the hearing of any case coming within the jurisdiction of the court under ss. 48.13 to 48.14, shall be a charge on the county when approved by the court.
48.273(4)(4)
48.273(4)(a)(a) Subsections (1) and (3) do not apply to any proceeding under s. 48.375 (7).
48.273(4)(b)(b) Personal service is required for notice of all proceedings under s. 48.375 (7), except that, if the minor is not represented by counsel, notice to the minor shall be in the manner and at the place designated in the petition under s. 48.257 (1) until appointment of the minor’s counsel, if any, under s. 48.375 (7) (a) 1. Notice shall be served immediately for any proceeding under s. 48.375 (7) unless the minor waives the immediate notice. If the minor waives the immediate notice, the notice shall be served at least 24 hours before the time of the hearing under s. 48.375 (7) (b) or any other proceeding under s. 48.375 (7). A minor may, in acknowledging receipt of service of the notice, sign the name “Jane Doe” in lieu of providing the minor’s full signature.
48.273(4)(c)(c) The expenses of service of notice and the travel expenses and fees allowed in ch. 885 incurred by any person who is required to appear, other than the minor who is named in the petition, in any proceeding under s. 48.375 (7) shall be paid by the county in which the circuit court that holds the proceeding is located.
48.273 AnnotationService under this section is applicable to members of an Indian tribe. M.L.S. v. State, 157 Wis. 2d 26, 458 N.W.2d 541 (Ct. App. 1990).
48.27548.275Parents’ contribution to cost of court and legal services.
48.275(1)(1)If the court finds a child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 or an unborn child of an expectant mother who is a child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.133, the court shall order the parent of the child to contribute toward the expense of post-adjudication services to the child expectant mother and the child when born the proportion of the total amount which the court finds the parent is able to pay. If the court finds an unborn child of an expectant mother who is an adult to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.133, the court shall order the adult expectant mother to contribute toward the expense of post-adjudication services to the adult expectant mother and the child when born the proportion of the total amount which the court finds the adult expectant mother is able to pay.
48.275(2)(2)
48.275(2)(a)(a) If this state or a county provides legal counsel to a child who is subject to a proceeding under s. 48.13 or to a child expectant mother who is subject to a proceeding under s. 48.133, the court shall order the child’s parent to reimburse the state or county in accordance with par. (b) or (c). If this state or a county provides legal counsel to an adult expectant mother who is subject to a proceeding under s. 48.133, the court shall order the adult expectant mother to reimburse the state or county in accordance with par. (b) or (c). The court may not order reimbursement if a parent is the complaining or petitioning party or if the court finds that the interests of the parent and the interests of the child in the proceeding are substantially and directly adverse and that reimbursement would be unfair to the parent. The court may not order reimbursement until the completion of the proceeding or until the state or county is no longer providing the child or expectant mother with legal counsel in the proceeding.
48.275(2)(b)(b) If this state provides the child or adult expectant mother with legal counsel and the court orders reimbursement under par. (a), the child’s parent or the adult expectant mother may request the state public defender to determine whether the parent or adult expectant mother is indigent as provided under s. 977.07 and to determine the amount of reimbursement. If the parent or adult expectant mother is found not to be indigent, the amount of reimbursement shall be the maximum amount established by the public defender board. If the parent or adult expectant mother is found to be indigent in part, the amount of reimbursement shall be the amount of partial payment determined in accordance with the rules of the public defender board under s. 977.02 (3).
48.275(2)(c)(c) If the county provides the child or adult expectant mother with legal counsel and the court orders reimbursement under par. (a), the court shall either make a determination of indigency or shall appoint the county department to make the determination. If the court or the county department finds that the parent or adult expectant mother is not indigent or is indigent in part, the court shall establish the amount of reimbursement and shall order the parent or adult expectant mother to pay it.
48.275(2)(cg)(cg) The court shall, upon motion by a parent or expectant mother, hold a hearing to review any of the following:
48.275(2)(cg)1.1. An indigency determination made under par. (b) or (c).
48.275(2)(cg)2.2. The amount of reimbursement ordered.
48.275(2)(cg)3.3. The court’s finding, under par. (a), that the interests of the parent and the child are not substantially and directly adverse and that ordering the payment of reimbursement would not be unfair to the parent.
48.275(2)(cr)(cr) Following a hearing under par. (cg), the court may affirm, rescind or modify the reimbursement order.
48.275(2)(d)1.1. In a county having a population of less than 750,000, reimbursement payments shall be made to the clerk of courts of the county where the proceedings took place. Each payment shall be transmitted to the county treasurer, who shall deposit 25 percent of the amount paid for state-provided counsel in the county treasury and transmit the remainder to the secretary of administration. Payments transmitted to the secretary of administration shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.550 (1) (L). The county treasurer shall deposit 100 percent of the amount paid for county-provided counsel in the county treasury.
48.275(2)(d)2.2. In a county having a population of 750,000 or more, reimbursement payments shall be made to the clerk of courts of the county where the proceedings took place. Each payment shall be transmitted to the secretary of administration, who shall deposit the amount paid in the general fund and credit 25 percent of the amount paid to the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (1) (gx) and the remainder to the appropriation account under s. 20.550 (1) (L).
48.275(2)(dm)(dm) Within 30 days after each calendar quarter, the clerk of court for each county shall report to the state public defender all of the following:
48.275(2)(dm)1.1. The total amount of reimbursement determined or ordered under par. (b) or (cr) for state-provided counsel during the previous calendar quarter.
48.275(2)(dm)2.2. The total amount collected under par. (d) for state-provided counsel during the previous calendar quarter.
48.275(2)(e)(e) A person who fails to comply with an order under par. (b) or (c) may be proceeded against for contempt of court under ch. 785.
48.275(3)(3)This section does not apply to any proceedings under s. 48.375 (7).
48.275 AnnotationGuardian ad litem fees are not reimbursable under sub. (2) (a). A. v. Racine County, 119 Wis. 2d 349, 349 N.W.2d 743 (Ct. App. 1984).
48.2848.28Failure to obey summons; capias. If any person summoned fails without reasonable cause to appear, he or she may be proceeded against for contempt of court. In case the summons cannot be served or the parties served fail to obey the same, or in any case when it appears to the court that the service will be ineffectual a capias may be issued for the parent or guardian or for the child. Subchapter IV governs the taking and holding of a child in custody.
48.28 HistoryHistory: 1977 c. 354 s. 41; Stats. 1977 s. 48.28; 1979 c. 331, 359.
48.28 AnnotationThe issuance of a capias to secure the physical attendance of a juvenile prior to the service of the summons and petition on the juvenile was error but did not deny the court personal jurisdiction. State v. Jermaine T.J., 181 Wis. 2d 82, 510 N.W.2d 735 (Ct. App. 1993).
48.2948.29Substitution of judge.
48.29(1)(1)The child, the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian, the expectant mother, or the unborn child’s guardian ad litem, either before or during the plea hearing, may file a written request with the clerk of the court or other person acting as the clerk for a substitution of the judge assigned to the proceeding. When any person has the right to request a substitution of judge, that person’s counsel or guardian ad litem may file the request. Not more than one such written request may be filed in any one proceeding, nor may any single request name more than one judge. This section does not apply to proceedings under s. 48.21 or 48.213.
48.29(1m)(1m)When the clerk receives a request for substitution, the clerk shall immediately contact the judge whose substitution has been requested for a determination of whether the request was made timely and in proper form. If the request is found to be timely and in proper form, the judge named in the request has no further jurisdiction and the clerk shall request the assignment of another judge under s. 751.03. If no determination is made within 7 days, the clerk shall refer the matter to the chief judge of the judicial administrative district for determination of whether the request was made timely and in proper form and reassignment as necessary.
48.29(3)(3)Subsections (1) and (1m) do not apply in any proceeding under s. 48.375 (7). For proceedings under s. 48.375 (7), the minor may select the judge whom she wishes to be assigned to the proceeding and that judge shall be assigned to the proceeding.
48.29 HistoryHistory: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (1); 1979 c. 300; 1987 a. 151; 1991 a. 263; 1993 a. 98; 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 35, 292; 2013 a. 170; Sup. Ct. Order No. 20-07, 2021 WI 37, 397 Wis. 2d xiii.
48.29 AnnotationSub. (1) permits more than one party to file a request for a substitution of judge in a termination of parental rights proceeding. State ex rel. Julie A.B. v. Circuit Court, 2002 WI App 220, 257 Wis. 2d 285, 650 N.W.2d 920, 02-1479.
48.29 AnnotationThis section, not s. 801.58, is applicable to judicial substitutions in termination of parental rights cases. Brown County Department of Human Services v. Terrance M., 2005 WI App 57, 280 Wis. 2d 396, 694 N.W.2d 458, 04-2379.
48.29348.293Discovery.
48.293(1)(1)Copies of all law enforcement officer reports, including the officer’s memorandum and witnesses’ statements, shall be made available upon request to counsel or guardian ad litem for any party and to the court-appointed special advocate for the child prior to a plea hearing. The reports shall be available through the representative of the public designated under s. 48.09. The identity of a confidential informant may be withheld pursuant to s. 905.10.
48.293(2)(2)All records relating to a child, or to an unborn child and the unborn child’s expectant mother, that are relevant to the subject matter of a proceeding under this chapter shall be open to inspection by a guardian ad litem or counsel for any party and to inspection by the court-appointed special advocate for the child, upon demand and upon presentation of releases when necessary, at least 48 hours before the proceeding. Persons entitled to inspect the records may obtain copies of the records with the permission of the custodian of the records or with permission of the court. The court may instruct counsel, a guardian ad litem, or a court-appointed special advocate not to disclose specified items in the materials to the child or the parent, or to the expectant mother, if the court reasonably believes that the disclosure would be harmful to the interests of the child or the unborn child. This subsection does not apply to a guardianship proceeding under s. 48.9795.
48.293(3)(3)Upon request prior to the fact-finding hearing, counsel for the interests of the public shall disclose to the child, through his or her counsel or guardian ad litem, or to the unborn child’s guardian ad litem, the existence of any audiovisual recording of an oral statement of a child under s. 908.08 that is within the possession, custody, or control of the state and shall make reasonable arrangements for the requesting person to view the statement. If, after compliance with this subsection, the state obtains possession, custody, or control of such a statement, counsel for the interests of the public shall promptly notify the requesting person of that fact and make reasonable arrangements for the requesting person to view the statement.
48.293(4)(4)In addition to the discovery procedures permitted under subs. (1) to (3), the discovery procedures permitted under ch. 804 shall apply in all proceedings under this chapter.
48.293 NoteJudicial Council Note, 1985: Sub. (3) makes videotaped oral statements of children in the possession, custody or control of the state discoverable upon demand by the child, child’s counsel or guardian ad litem. These statements may be admissible under s. 908.08, stats. [85 Act 262]
48.293 AnnotationThe juvenile court must make a threshold relevancy determination by an in camera review when confronted with: 1) a discovery request under sub. (2); 2) an inspection request of juvenile records under ss. 48.396 (2) and 938.396 (2); or 3) an inspection request of agency records under ss. 48.78 (2) (a) and 938.78 (2) (a). The test for permissible discovery is whether the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Courtney F. v. Ramiro M.C., 2004 WI App 36, 269 Wis. 2d 709, 676 N.W.2d 545, 03-3018.
48.29548.295Physical, psychological, mental or developmental examination.
48.295(1)(1)After the filing of a petition and upon a finding by the court that reasonable cause exists to warrant a physical, psychological, mental, or developmental examination or an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment that conforms to the criteria specified under s. 48.547 (4), the court may order any child coming within its jurisdiction to be examined as an outpatient by personnel in an approved treatment facility for alcohol and other drug abuse, by a physician, psychiatrist or licensed psychologist, or by another expert appointed by the court holding at least a master’s degree in social work or another related field of child development, in order that the child’s physical, psychological, alcohol or other drug dependency, mental, or developmental condition may be considered. The court may also order a physical, psychological, mental, or developmental examination or an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment that conforms to the criteria specified under s. 48.547 (4) of a parent, guardian, or legal custodian whose ability to care for a child is at issue before the court or of an expectant mother whose ability to control her use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances, or controlled substance analogs is at issue before the court. The court shall hear any objections by the child or the child’s parents, guardian, or legal custodian to the request for such an examination or assessment before ordering the examination or assessment. The expenses of an examination, if approved by the court, shall be paid by the county of the court ordering the examination in a county having a population of less than 750,000 or by the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more. The payment for an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment shall be in accordance with s. 48.361.
48.295(1c)(1c)Reasonable cause is considered to exist to warrant an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment under sub. (1) if the multidisciplinary screen procedure conducted under s. 48.24 (2) indicates that the child or expectant mother is at risk of having needs and problems related to alcohol or other drug abuse.
48.295(1g)(1g)If the court orders an alcohol or other drug abuse assessment under sub. (1), the approved treatment facility shall, within 14 days after the court order, report the results of the assessment to the court, except that, upon request by the approved treatment facility and if the child is not an expectant mother under s. 48.133 and is not held in secure or nonsecure custody, the court may extend the period for assessment for not more than 20 additional working days. The report shall include a recommendation as to whether the child or expectant mother is in need of treatment for abuse of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs or education relating to the use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances and controlled substance analogs and, if so, shall recommend a service plan and an appropriate treatment, from an approved treatment facility, or a court-approved education program.
48.295(2)(2)The examiner shall file a report of the examination with the court by the date specified in the order. The court shall cause copies to be transmitted to the district attorney or corporation counsel, to counsel or guardian ad litem for the child and to the court-appointed special advocate for the child. If applicable, the court shall also cause copies to be transmitted to counsel or guardian ad litem for the unborn child and the unborn child’s expectant mother. The report shall describe the nature of the examination and identify the persons interviewed, the particular records reviewed and any tests administered to the child or expectant mother. The report shall also state in reasonable detail the facts and reasoning upon which the examiner’s opinions are based.
48.295(3)(3)If the child, the child’s parent or the expectant mother objects to a particular physician, psychiatrist, licensed psychologist or other expert as required under this section, the court shall appoint a different physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other expert as required under this section.
48.295(4)(4)Motions or objections under this section may be heard under s. 807.13.
48.295 HistoryHistory: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300; 1985 a. 321; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1987 a. 339; 1993 a. 474; 1995 a. 77, 225, 448; 1997 a. 27, 292; 1999 a. 149; 2005 a. 293; 2015 a. 172.
48.295 NoteJudicial Council Note, 1988: Sub. (4) allows oral argument on motions or objections under this section to be heard by telephone. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1988]
48.29748.297Motions before trial.
48.297(1)(1)Any motion which is capable of determination without trial of the general issue may be made before trial.
48.297(2)(2)Defenses and objections based on defects in the institution of proceedings, lack of probable cause on the face of the petition, insufficiency of the petition or invalidity in whole or in part of the statute on which the petition is founded shall be raised not later than 10 days after the plea hearing or be deemed waived. Other motions capable of determination without trial may be brought any time before trial.
48.297(3)(3)Motions to suppress evidence as having been illegally seized or statements as having been illegally obtained shall be made before fact-finding on the issues. The court may entertain the motion at the fact-finding hearing if it appears that a party is surprised by the attempt to introduce such evidence and that party waives jeopardy.
48.297(4)(4)Although the taking of a child or an expectant mother of an unborn child into custody is not an arrest, that taking into custody shall be considered an arrest for the purpose of deciding motions which require a decision about the propriety of taking into custody, including motions to suppress evidence as illegally seized, motions to suppress statements as illegally obtained and motions challenging the lawfulness of the taking into custody.
48.297(5)(5)If the child or the expectant mother of an unborn child is in custody and the court grants a motion to dismiss based on a defect in the petition or in the institution of the proceedings, the court may order the child or expectant mother to be continued in custody for not more than 48 hours pending the filing of a new petition.
48.297(6)(6)A motion required to be served on a child may be served on his or her attorney of record.
48.297(7)(7)Oral argument permitted on motions under this section may be heard by telephone under s. 807.13 (1).
48.297 HistoryHistory: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300, 331, 359; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 35, 292; 2013 a. 170.
48.29948.299Procedures at hearings.
48.299(1)(1)
48.299(1)(a)(a) The general public shall be excluded from hearings under this chapter and from hearings by courts exercising jurisdiction under s. 48.16 unless a public fact-finding hearing is demanded by a child through his or her counsel, by an expectant mother through her counsel, or by an unborn child’s guardian ad litem. However, the court shall refuse to grant the public hearing in a proceeding other than a proceeding under s. 48.375 (7), if a parent, guardian, expectant mother, or unborn child’s guardian ad litem objects.
48.299(1)(ag)(ag) In a proceeding other than a proceeding under s. 48.375 (7), if a public hearing is not held, only the parties and their counsel or guardian ad litem, the court-appointed special advocate for the child, the child’s foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), witnesses, and other persons requested by a party and approved by the court may be present, except that the court may exclude a foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) from any portion of the hearing if that portion of the hearing deals with sensitive personal information of the child or the child’s family or if the court determines that excluding the foster parent or other physical custodian would be in the best interests of the child. Except in a proceeding under s. 48.375 (7), any other person the court finds to have a proper interest in the case or in the work of the court, including a member of the bar or a person engaged in the bona fide research, monitoring, or evaluation of activities conducted under 42 USC 629h, as determined by the director of state courts, may be admitted by the court.
48.299(1)(ar)(ar) All hearings under s. 48.375 (7) shall be held in chambers, unless a public fact-finding hearing is demanded by the child through her counsel. In a proceeding under s. 48.375 (7), the child’s foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) may be present if requested by a party and approved by the court.
48.299(1)(b)(b) Except as provided in ss. 48.375 (7) (e) and 48.396, any person who divulges any information which would identify the child, the expectant mother or the family involved in any proceeding under this chapter shall be subject to ch. 785.
48.299(2m)(2m)
48.299(2m)(a)(a) In this subsection, “restraints” means leather, canvas, rubber, Velcro, or plastic restraints; handcuffs, waist belts, or leg chains; a wheel chair; an electric immobilization device; or any other device used to securely limit the movement of a child’s body.
48.299(2m)(b)(b) Restraints may not be used on a child during a court proceeding and shall be removed prior to the child being brought into the courtroom and appearing before the court unless the court finds all of the following:
48.299(2m)(b)1.1. The use of restraints is necessary due to any of the following factors:
48.299(2m)(b)1.a.a. Restraints are necessary to prevent physical harm to the child or another person.
48.299(2m)(b)1.b.b. The child has a history of disruptive courtroom behavior that has placed others in potentially harmful situations, or the child presents a substantial risk of inflicting physical harm on himself or herself or others as evidenced by recent behavior.
48.299(2m)(b)1.c.c. There is a founded belief that the child presents a substantial risk of flight from the courtroom.
48.299(2m)(b)2.2. There are no less restrictive alternatives to restraints that will prevent flight or physical harm to the child or another person, including the presence of court personnel, law enforcement officers, or bailiffs.
48.299(2m)(c)(c) The court shall provide the child’s counsel an opportunity to be heard before the court orders the use of restraints. If the child’s counsel informs the court that the child wishes to be present, the court may order telephone or videoconference hearing pursuant to sub. (5). If restraints are ordered, the court shall make findings of fact in support of the order.
48.299(2m)(d)(d) Any restraints shall allow the child limited movement of the hands to read and handle documents and writings necessary to the hearing. Under no circumstances may a child be restrained using restraints that are fixed to a wall, floor, or furniture.
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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)