Chapter 938

938.243(1m)(b) (b) The parents’ liability for acts of their juveniles.

938.243(3) (3) Information when juvenile not at intake conference or has not had custody hearing. If the juvenile has not had a hearing under s. 938.21 and was not present at an intake conference under s. 938.24, the intake worker shall notify the juvenile, parent, guardian, and legal custodian as appropriate of their basic rights under this section. The notice shall be given verbally, either in person or by telephone, and in writing. The notice shall be given in sufficient time to allow the juvenile, parent, guardian, or legal custodian to prepare for the plea hearing. This subsection does not apply to cases of deferred prosecution under s. 938.245.

938.243(4) (4) Applicability. This section does not apply if the juvenile was present at a hearing under s. 938.21.

938.243 History History: 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 35; 2005 a. 344; 2009 a. 94.

938.245 938.245 Deferred prosecution.

938.245(1) (1) When available. An intake worker may enter into a written deferred prosecution agreement with all parties as provided in this section if all of the following apply:

938.245(1)(a) (a) The intake worker has determined that neither the interests of the juvenile nor of the public require filing of a petition for circumstances relating to s. 938.12, 938.125, 938.13, or 938.14.

938.245(1)(b) (b) The facts persuade the intake worker that the jurisdiction of the court, if sought, would exist.

938.245(1)(c) (c) The juvenile, parent, guardian and legal custodian consent.

938.245(1m) (1m) Victims; right to confer with intake worker. If a juvenile is alleged to be delinquent under s. 938.12 or to be in need of protection or services under s. 938.13 (12), an intake worker shall, as soon as practicable but before entering into a deferred prosecution agreement under sub. (1), offer all of the victims of the juvenile’s alleged act who have so requested an opportunity to confer with the intake worker concerning the proposed deferred prosecution agreement. The duty to offer an opportunity to confer under this subsection does not limit the obligation of the intake worker to perform his or her responsibilities under this section.

938.245(2) (2) Contents of agreement.

938.245(2)(a) (a) Specific conditions. A deferred prosecution agreement may provide for any one or more of the following:

938.245(2)(a)1. 1. ‘Counseling.’ That the juvenile and the juvenile’s parent, guardian or legal custodian participate in individual, family or group counseling and that the parent, guardian or legal custodian participate in parenting skills training.

938.245(2)(a)2. 2. ‘Compliance with obligations.’ That the juvenile and a parent, guardian, or legal custodian abide by such obligations, including supervision, curfews, and school attendance requirements, as will tend to ensure the juvenile’s rehabilitation, protection, or care.

938.245(2)(a)3. 3. ‘Alcohol and other drug abuse assessment.’ That the juvenile submit to an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment that meets the criteria under s. 938.547 (4) and that is conducted by an approved treatment facility for an examination of the juvenile’s use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances, or controlled substance analogs and any medical, personal, family, or social effects caused by its use, if the multidisciplinary screen under s. 938.24 (2) shows that the juvenile is at risk of having needs and problems related to the use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances, or controlled substance analogs and its medical, personal, family, or social effects.

938.245(2)(a)4. 4. ‘Alcohol and other drug abuse treatment and education.’ That the juvenile participate in an alcohol and other drug abuse outpatient treatment program or a court-approved alcohol or other drug abuse education program, if an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment under subd. 3. recommends outpatient treatment, intervention, or education.

938.245(2)(a)5. 5. ‘Restitution.’

938.245(2)(a)5.a. a. That the juvenile participate in a restitution project if the act for which the agreement is being entered into resulted in damage to the property of another, or in actual physical injury to another excluding pain and suffering. Subject to subd. 5. c., the agreement may require the juvenile to repair the damage to property or to make reasonable restitution for the damage or injury, either in the form of cash payments or, if the victim agrees, the performance of services for the victim, or both, if the intake worker, after taking into consideration the well-being and needs of the victim, considers it beneficial to the well-being and behavior of the juvenile. The agreement shall include a determination that the juvenile alone is financially able to pay or physically able to perform the services, may allow up to the date of the expiration of the agreement for the payment or for the completion of the services, and may include a schedule for the performance and completion of the services. Any recovery under this subd. 5. a. shall be reduced by the amount recovered for the same act under subd. 5. am.

938.245(2)(a)5.am. am. That the parent who has custody, as defined in s. 895.035 (1), of the juvenile make reasonable restitution for any damage to the property of another, or for any actual physical injury to another excluding pain and suffering, resulting from the act for which the agreement is being entered into. Except for recovery for retail theft under s. 943.51, the maximum amount of any restitution ordered under this subd. 5. am. for damage or injury resulting from any one act of a juvenile or from the same act committed by 2 or more juveniles in the custody of the same parent may not exceed $5,000. Any order under this subd. 5. am. shall include a finding that the parent is financially able to pay the amount ordered and may allow up to the date of the expiration of the agreement for the payment. Any recovery under this subd. 5. am. shall be reduced by the amount recovered for the same act under subd. 5. a.

938.245(2)(a)5.b. b. In addition to any other employment or duties permitted under ch. 103 or any rule or order under ch. 103, a juvenile under 14 years of age who is participating in a restitution project provided by the county or who is performing services for the victim as restitution may, for the purpose of making restitution, be employed or perform any duties under any circumstances in which a juvenile 14 or 15 years of age is permitted to be employed or to perform duties under ch. 103 or any rule or order under ch. 103. A juvenile who is participating in a restitution project provided by the county or who is performing services for the victim as restitution is exempt from the permit requirement under s. 103.70 (1).

938.245(2)(a)5.c. c. An agreement under this subdivision may require a juvenile who is under 14 years of age to make not more than $250 in restitution or to perform not more than 40 total hours of services for the victim as total restitution.

938.245(2)(a)6. 6. ‘Supervised work program.’ That the juvenile participate in a supervised work program or other community service work in accordance with s. 938.34 (5g).

938.245(2)(a)7. 7. ‘Volunteers in probation.’ That the juvenile be placed with a volunteers in probation program under conditions the intake worker determines are reasonable and appropriate, if the juvenile is alleged to have committed an act that would constitute a misdemeanor if committed by an adult, if the chief judge of the judicial administrative district has approved under s. 973.11 (2) a volunteers in probation program established in the juvenile’s county of residence, and if the intake worker determines that volunteer supervision under that program will likely benefit the juvenile and the community. The conditions an intake worker may establish under this subdivision may include a request to a volunteer to be a role model for the juvenile, informal counseling, general monitoring, monitoring of the conditions established by the intake worker, or any combination of these functions, and any other deferred prosecution condition that the intake worker may establish under this paragraph.

938.245(2)(a)8. 8. ‘Teen court program.’ That the juvenile be placed in a teen court program if all of the following conditions apply:

938.245(2)(a)8.a. a. The chief judge of the judicial administrative district has approved a teen court program established in the juvenile’s county of residence and the intake worker determines that participation in the teen court program will likely benefit the juvenile and the community.

938.245(2)(a)8.b. b. The juvenile is alleged to have committed a delinquent act that would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult or a civil law or ordinance violation.

938.245(2)(a)8.c. c. The juvenile admits to the intake worker, in the presence of the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian, that the juvenile committed the alleged delinquent act or civil law or ordinance violation.

938.245(2)(a)8.d. d. The juvenile has not successfully completed participation in a teen court program during the 2 years before the date of the alleged delinquent act or civil law or ordinance violation.

938.245(2)(a)9m. 9m. ‘Youth report center.’ That the juvenile report to a youth report center after school, in the evening, on weekends, on other nonschool days, or at any other time that the juvenile is not under immediate adult supervision, for participation in the social, behavioral, academic, community service, and other programming of the center. Section 938.34 (5g) applies to any community service work performed by a juvenile under this subdivision.

938.245(2)(b) (b) No out-of-home placement; term of agreement. A deferred prosecution agreement may not include any form of out-of-home placement and may not exceed one year.

938.245(2)(c) (c) Alcohol or other drug abuse treatment; informed consent. If the deferred prosecution agreement provides for alcohol and other drug abuse outpatient treatment under par. (a) 4., the juvenile and the juvenile’s parent, guardian or legal custodian shall execute an informed consent form that indicates that they are voluntarily and knowingly entering into a deferred prosecution agreement for the provision of alcohol and other drug abuse outpatient treatment.

938.245(2g) (2g) Graffiti violation. If the deferred prosecution agreement is based on an allegation that the juvenile violated s. 943.017 and the juvenile has attained 10 years of age, the agreement may require that the juvenile participate for not less than 10 hours nor more than 100 hours in a supervised work program under s. 938.34 (5g) or perform not less than 10 hours nor more than 100 hours of other community service work, except that if the juvenile has not attained 14 years of age the maximum number of hours is 40.

938.245(2v) (2v) Habitual truancy violation. If the deferred prosecution agreement is based on an allegation that the juvenile has violated a municipal ordinance enacted under s. 118.163 (2), the agreement may require that the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian attend school with the juvenile.

938.245(3) (3) Obligations in writing. The obligations imposed under a deferred prosecution agreement and its effective date shall be set forth in writing. The written agreement shall state whether the juvenile has been adopted. The intake worker shall provide a copy of the agreement and order to the juvenile, to the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian, and to any agency providing services under the agreement.

938.245(4) (4) Right to terminate or object to agreement. The intake worker shall inform the juvenile and the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian in writing of their right to terminate the deferred prosecution agreement at any time or to object at any time to the fact or terms of the agreement. If there is an objection, the intake worker may alter the terms of the agreement or request the district attorney or corporation counsel to file a petition. If the agreement is terminated the intake worker may request the district attorney or corporation counsel to file a petition.

938.245(5) (5) Termination upon request. A deferred prosecution agreement may be terminated upon the request of the juvenile, parent, guardian, or legal custodian.

938.245(6) (6) Termination if delinquency petition filed. A deferred prosecution agreement arising out of an alleged delinquent act is terminated if the district attorney files a delinquency petition within 20 days after receipt of notice of the deferred prosecution agreement under s. 938.24 (5). If a petition is filed, statements made to the intake worker during the intake inquiry are inadmissible.

938.245(7) (7) Cancellation by intake worker.

938.245(7)(a) (a) If at any time during the period of a deferred prosecution agreement the intake worker determines that the obligations imposed under it are not being met, the intake worker may cancel the agreement. Within 10 days after the agreement is cancelled, the intake worker shall notify the district attorney, corporation counsel, or other official under s. 938.09 of the cancellation and may request that a petition be filed. In delinquency cases, the district attorney may initiate a petition within 20 days after the date of the notice regardless of whether the intake worker has requested that a petition be filed. The court shall grant appropriate relief as provided in s. 938.315 (3) with respect to any petition that is not filed within the time period specified in this paragraph. Failure to object to the fact that a petition is not filed within the time period specified in this paragraph waives any challenge to the court’s competency to act on the petition.

938.245(7)(b) (b) In addition to the action taken under par. (a), if the intake worker cancels a deferred prosecution agreement based on a determination that the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian is not meeting the obligations imposed under the agreement, the intake worker shall request the district attorney, corporation counsel, or other official under s. 938.09 to file a petition requesting the court to order the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian to show good cause for not meeting the obligations. If a petition under this paragraph is filed and if the court finds prosecutive merit for the petition, the court shall grant an order directing the parent, guardian, or legal custodian to show good cause, at a time and place fixed by the court, for not meeting the obligations. If the parent, guardian or legal custodian does not show good cause, the court may impose a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000.

938.245(8) (8) When obligations met. If the obligations imposed under the deferred prosecution agreement are met, the intake worker shall so inform the juvenile and a parent, guardian, and legal custodian in writing. No petition may be filed or citation issued on the charges that brought about the agreement and the charges may not be the sole basis for a petition under s. 48.13, 48.133, 48.14, 938.13, or 938.14.

938.245(9) (9) Written policies. The intake worker shall perform his or her responsibilities under this section under general written policies promulgated under s. 938.06 (1) or (2).

938.245 History History: 1995 a. 77, 352, 448; 1997 a. 80, 181, 183, 205, 239, 292; 1999 a. 9, 32; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 138; 2005 a. 344; 2007 a. 199; 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 381.

938.245 Annotation When a district attorney receives notice of a deferred prosecution agreement from an intake worker under s. 938.24 (5), the 20 days during which the district attorney may terminate the agreement under sub. (6) begins. When a court orders a deferred prosecution agreement under s. 938.21 (7), the intake worker need not notify the district attorney and nothing triggers a district attorney’s authority to terminate the agreement under sub. (6). An order under s. 938.21 (7) dismissing a petition and referring for deferred prosecution does not require district attorney consent. The district attorney may not override the order by filing a new petition with the same charges and facts. State v. Lindsey A.F., 2002 WI App 223, 257 Wis. 2d 650, 653 N.W.2d 116, 01-0081.

938.245 Annotation Affirmed. 2003 WI 63, 262 Wis. 2d 200, 663 N.W.2d 757, 01-0081.

938.25 938.25 Petition: authorization to file.

938.25(1) (1) Requirements; who may file. A petition initiating proceedings under this chapter shall be signed by a person who has knowledge of the facts alleged or is informed of them and believes them to be true. The district attorney shall prepare, sign, and file a petition under s. 938.12. The district attorney, corporation counsel, or other appropriate official specified under s. 938.09 may file a petition under s. 938.125 or 938.13. The counsel or guardian ad litem for a parent, relative, guardian, or juvenile may file a petition under s. 938.13 or 938.14. The district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate person designated by the court may initiate proceedings under s. 938.14 in a manner specified by the court.

938.25(2) (2) Time periods; referral back.

938.25(2)(a) (a) The district attorney, corporation counsel, or other appropriate official shall file the petition, close the case, or refer the case back to intake or, with notice to intake, the law enforcement agency investigating the case within 20 days after the date that the intake worker’s request was filed. A referral back to intake or to the law enforcement agency investigating the case may be made only when the district attorney, corporation counsel, or other appropriate official decides not to file a petition or determines that further investigation is necessary. If the case is referred back to intake upon a decision not to file a petition, the intake worker shall close the case or enter into a deferred prosecution agreement within 20 days after the date of the referral. If the case is referred back to intake or to the law enforcement agency investigating the case for further investigation, the appropriate agency or person shall complete the investigation within 20 days after the date of the referral. If another referral is made to the district attorney, corporation counsel, or other appropriate official by intake or by the law enforcement agency investigating the case, it shall be considered a new referral to which the time limits of this subsection apply. The time periods in this paragraph may only be extended by a court upon a showing of good cause under s. 938.315. If a petition is not filed within the time periods in this paragraph and the court has not granted an extension, the petition shall be accompanied by a statement of reasons for the delay. The court shall grant appropriate relief as provided in s. 938.315 (3) with respect to a petition that is not filed within the applicable time period in this paragraph. Failure to object to the fact that a petition is not filed within the applicable time period in this paragraph waives any challenge to the court’s competency to act on the petition.

938.25(2)(b) (b) In delinquency cases in which there has been a case closure or deferred prosecution agreement, the petition shall be filed within 20 days after receipt of the notice of the closure or agreement. Failure to file within those 20 days invalidates the petition and affirms the case closure or agreement, except that the court shall grant appropriate relief as provided in s. 938.315 (3) with respect to a petition that is not filed within the time period specified in this paragraph and that failure to object if a petition is not filed within that time period waives any challenge to the court’s competency to act on the petition. If a petition is filed within those 20 days or the time permitted by the court under s. 938.315 (3), whichever is later, the district attorney shall notify the parties to the agreement and the intake worker of the filing as soon as possible.

938.25(2g) (2g) Indian juvenile; consultation with tribal court. If the circumstances described in s. 938.24 (2r) (a) apply, before filing a petition under s. 938.12 or 938.13 (12) the district attorney or corporation counsel shall determine whether the intake worker has received notification under s. 938.24 (2r) (b) from a tribal official that a petition relating to the alleged delinquent act has been or may be filed in tribal court. If the intake worker has received the notification or if a tribal official has provided the notification directly to the district attorney or corporation counsel, the district attorney or corporation counsel shall attempt to consult with appropriate tribal officials before filing a petition under s. 938.12 or 938.13 (12).

938.25(2m) (2m) Notice to victims if no petition filed. If a juvenile is alleged to be delinquent under s. 938.12 or to be in need of protection or services under s. 938.13 (12) and the district attorney or corporation counsel decides not to file a petition, the district attorney or corporation counsel shall make a reasonable attempt to inform the known victims of the juvenile’s act that a petition will not be filed against the juvenile at that time.

938.25(3) (3) Court order for filing of petition. If the district attorney, corporation counsel, or other appropriate official under s. 938.09 refuses to file a petition, any person may request the court to order that the petition be filed and a hearing shall be held on the request. The court may order the filing of the petition on its own motion. The matter may not be heard by the court that orders the filing of a petition.

938.25(4) (4) Time period for prosecution. Section 939.74 applies to delinquency petitions filed under this chapter.

938.25(5) (5) Citation as initial pleading. A citation issued under s. 938.17 (2) may serve as the initial pleading and is sufficient to confer the court with jurisdiction over the juvenile when the citation is filed with the court.

938.25(6) (6) Temporary restraining order and injunction. If a proceeding is brought under s. 938.13, any party to or any governmental or social agency involved in the proceeding may petition the court to issue a temporary restraining order and injunction as provided in s. 813.122 or 813.125. The court shall follow the procedure under s. 813.122 or 813.125 except that the court may combine hearings authorized under s. 813.122 or 813.125 and this chapter, the petitioner for the temporary restraining order and injunction is not subject to the limitations under s. 813.122 (2) (a) or 813.125 (2) and no fee is required regarding the filing of the petition under s. 813.122 or 813.125.

938.25 History History: 1995 a. 77, 352; 1997 a. 35, 181; 2003 a. 284; 2005 a. 344; 2007 a. 199; 2009 a. 94; 2013 a. 321.

938.25 Note NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 284 contains explanatory notes.

938.25 Annotation “Good cause” under sub. (2) (a) is defined. In Interest of F.E.W. 143 Wis. 2d 856, 422 N.W.2d 893 (Ct. App. 1988).

938.25 Annotation Delinquency and waiver petitions must both be filed to bring about a waiver hearing; the trial court may not proceed with a waiver hearing when the time limits under s. 48.25 for a delinquency petition are not complied with. In Interest of Michael J.L. 174 Wis. 2d 131, 496 N.W.2d 758 (Ct. App. 1993).

938.25 Note NOTE: The above annotations cite to s. 48.25, the predecessor statute to s. 938.25.

938.25 Annotation To the extent that sub. (1) prohibits the admission of delinquency adjudications in ch. 980 proceedings, it is repealed by implication. State v. Matthew A.B., 231 Wis. 2d 688, 605 N.W.2d 598 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-0229.

938.255 938.255 Petition; form and content.

938.255(1) (1) Title and contents. 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”. A petition initiating proceedings under this chapter shall specify all of the following:

938.255(1)(a) (a) The name, birth date, and address of the juvenile and whether the juvenile has been adopted.

938.255(1)(b) (b) The names and addresses of the juvenile’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or spouse, if any; or if no such person can be identified, the name and address of the nearest relative.

938.255(1)(c) (c) Whether the juvenile is in custody and, if so, the place where the juvenile is being held and the time he or she was taken into custody unless there is reasonable cause to believe that such disclosures would result in imminent danger to the juvenile or physical custodian.

938.255(1)(cg) (cg) If the petition is initiating proceedings under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the information required under s. 822.29 (1).

938.255(1)(cm) (cm) If the petition is initiating proceedings under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), whether the juvenile may be subject to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, and, if the juvenile may be subject to that act, the names and addresses of the juvenile’s Indian custodian, if any, and Indian tribe, if known.

938.255(1)(cr) (cr)

938.255(1)(cr)1. 1. If the petition is initiating proceedings under s. 938.12 or 938.13 (12) and all of the following circumstances apply, a statement to that effect:

938.255(1)(cr)1.a. a. The juvenile is an Indian juvenile.

938.255(1)(cr)1.b. b. At the time of the alleged delinquent act, the juvenile was under an order of a tribal court, other than a tribal court order relating to adoption, physical placement or visitation with the juvenile’s parent, or permanent guardianship.

938.255(1)(cr)1.c. c. At the time of the delinquent act the juvenile was physically outside the boundaries of the reservation of the Indian tribe of the tribal court and any off-reservation trust land of either that Indian tribe or a member of that Indian tribe as a direct consequence of a tribal court order under subd. 1. b., including a tribal court order placing the juvenile in the home of a relative of the juvenile who on or after the date of the tribal court order resides physically outside the boundaries of a reservation and off-reservation trust land.

938.255(1)(cr)2. 2. If the statement under subd. 1. is included in the petition and if the intake worker, district attorney, or corporation counsel has been notified by an official of the Indian tribe that a petition relating to the delinquent act has been or may be filed in tribal court with respect to the alleged delinquent act, a statement to that effect.

938.255(1)(d) (d) If violation of a criminal statute, an ordinance or another law is alleged, the citation to the appropriate law or ordinance as well as facts sufficient to establish probable cause that an offense has been committed and that the juvenile named in the petition committed the offense.

938.255(1)(e) (e) If the juvenile is alleged to come within the provisions of s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), (7) or (14) or 938.14, reliable and credible information which forms the basis of the allegations necessary to invoke the jurisdiction of the court and to provide reasonable notice of the conduct or circumstances to be considered by the court together with a statement that the juvenile is in need of supervision, services, care or rehabilitation.

938.255(1)(f) (f) If the juvenile is being held in custody outside of his or her home, reliable and credible information showing that continued placement of the juvenile in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the juvenile and, unless any of the circumstances specified in s. 938.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 4. applies, reliable and credible information showing that the person who took the juvenile into custody and the intake worker have made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the juvenile from the home, while assuring that the juvenile’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, and to make it possible for the juvenile to return safely home.

938.255(1)(g) (g) If the petitioner knows or has reason to know that the juvenile is an Indian juvenile, if the juvenile is alleged to come within the provisions of s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), and if the juvenile has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, reliable and credible information showing that continued custody of the juvenile by the juvenile’s parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the juvenile under s. 938.028 (4) (d) 1. and reliable and credible information showing that active efforts under s. 938.028 (4) (d) 2. have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian juvenile’s family and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful. The petition shall set forth with specificity both the information required under this paragraph and the information required under par. (f).

938.255(2) (2) Facts not known. If any of the facts in sub. (1) (a) to (cr), (f), and (g) are not known or cannot be ascertained by the petitioner, the petition shall so state.

938.255(3) (3) If certain information not stated. If the information required under sub. (1) (d) or (e) is not stated the petition shall be amended under s. 938.263 (2) or dismissed.

938.255(4) (4) Copy to juvenile, parents, and others. A copy of the petition shall be given to the juvenile and to the parents, guardian, legal custodian and physical custodian. If the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is alleged to come within the provisions of s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), and who has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, a copy of the petition shall also be given to the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe.

938.255 History History: 1995 a. 77, 352; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 284; 2005 a. 344; 2009 a. 94; 2015 a. 373, 381; 2021 a. 238 s. 45.

938.255 Note NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 284 contains explanatory notes.

938.263 938.263 Amendment of petition.

938.263(1) (1) To cure defect. Except as provided in s. 938.255 (3), no petition, process or other proceeding may be dismissed or reversed for any error or mistake if the case and the identity of the juvenile named in the petition may be readily understood by the court; and the court may order an amendment curing the defects.

938.263(2) (2) Before or after plea. With reasonable notification to the interested parties and prior to the taking of a plea under s. 938.30, the petition may be amended at the discretion of the court or person who filed the petition. After the taking of a plea, the court may allow amendment of the petition to conform to the proof if the amendment is not prejudicial to the juvenile.

938.263 History History: 1995 a. 77; 2005 a. 344.

938.263 Annotation Sub. (2) did not authorize the trial court to sua sponte and without notice amend a juvenile petition charge to disorderly conduct and make a finding of guilt thereon after finding the juvenile not guilty of battery. The court’s action unfairly prejudiced the juvenile’s statutory and due process rights. State v. Tawanna H., 223 Wis. 2d 572, 590 N.W.2d 276 (Ct. App. 1998), 98-1404.