X

Legal Memorandum: Involuntary Commitment for Treatment

Issue: Under Wisconsin law, what is the standard of review of a trial court’s decision finding an individual incompetent to refuse treatment or medication?

Area of Law: Constitutional Law, Litigation & Procedure
Keywords: Refuse treatment or medication; Incompetent; Standard of review
Jurisdiction: Federal, Wisconsin
Cited Cases: 139 Wis. 2d 190; 833 N.W.2d 607; 147 Wis. 2d 575; 407 N.W.2d 281; 433 N.W.2d 291; 349 Wis. 2d 148
Cited Statutes: Wis. Stat. § 51.61(1)(g)(4)(b)
Date: 07/01/2015

The Wisconsin Supreme Court “will not disturb a circuit court’s factual findings unless they are clearly erroneous.”  Outagamie County v. Melanie L. (In re Melanie L.), 2013 WI 67, ¶ 18 349 Wis. 2d 148, 166-67, 833 N.W.2d 607, 616 TA l "Outagamie County v. Melanie L. (In re Melanie L.), 2013 WI 67, 349 Wis. 2d 148, 833 N.W.2d 607 (2013)" s "Outagamie County v. Melanie L. (In re Melanie L.), 2013 WI 67, 349 Wis. 2d 148, 833 N.W.2d 607 (2013)" c 1  (citing K.N.K. v. Buhler, 139 Wis. 2d 190, 198, 407 N.W.2d 281 (Wis. Ct. App. 1987)).  This court will also “accept reasonable inferences from the facts available to the circuit court.”  Id. ¶ 38, 349 Wis. 2d at 167, 833 N.W.2d at 616 (citing K.S. v. Winnebago Cnty., 147 Wis. 2d 575, 578, 433 N.W.2d 291 (Wis. Ct. App. 1988) TA l "K.S. v. Winnebago Cnty., 147 Wis. 2d 575, 433 N.W.2d 291 (Wis. Ct. App. 1988)" s "K.S. v. Winnebago Cnty., 147 Wis. 2d 575, 578, 433 N.W.2d 291 (Wis. Ct. App. 1988)" c 1 ).  “In evaluating whether the County met its burden of proof, a court must apply facts to the statutory standard in Wis. Stat. § 51.61(1)(g)(4)(b) and interpret the statute.”  Id. ¶ 39, 349 Wis. 2d at 167, 833 N.W.2d at 616 TA s "Outagamie County v. Melanie L. […]

Subscribe to Litigation Pathfinder

To get the full-text of this Legal Memorandum ... and more!

(Month-to-month and annual subscriptions available)