# Wis. Stat. § 980.03: Rights of persons subject to petition

> Wisconsin · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.03

## Section

- **Citation:** Wis. Stat. § 980.03
- **Heading:** Rights of persons subject to petition
- **Jurisdiction:** Wisconsin
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WI Code / Chapter 980 / Section 980.03

## Text

(1) The circuit court in which a petition under s. 980.02 is filed shall conduct all hearings under this chapter. The court shall give the person who is the subject of the petition reasonable notice of the time and place of each such hearing. The court may designate additional persons to receive these notices.

(2) Except as provided in ss. 980.038 (2) and 980.09 and without limitation by enumeration, at any hearing under this chapter, the person who is the subject of the petition has the right to:

(a) Counsel. In any situation under this chapter in which the person has a right to be represented by counsel, the court shall refer the person as soon as practicable to the state public defender, who shall appoint counsel for the person under s. 977.08 without a determination of indigency.

(b) Remain silent.

(c) Present and cross-examine witnesses.

(d) Have the hearing recorded by a court reporter.

(3) The person who is the subject of the petition, the person’s attorney, or the petitioner may request that a trial under s. 980.05 be to a jury. A request for a jury trial shall be made as provided under s. 980.05 (2) . Notwithstanding s. 980.05 (2) , if the person, the person’s attorney, or the petitioner does not request a jury trial, the court may on its own motion require that the trial be to a jury. The jury shall be selected as provided under s. 980.05 (2m) . A verdict of a jury under this chapter is not valid unless it is unanimous.

History: 1993 a. 479 ; 1997 a. 252 ; 1999 a. 9 ; 2005 a. 434 ; 2017 a. 184 .

## Nearby sections

- [Wis. Stat. § 980.01 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.01.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.02 Sexually violent person petition; contents; filing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.02.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.03 Rights of persons subject to petition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.03.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.04 Detention; probable cause hearing; transfer for examination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.04.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.05 Trial.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.05.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.06 Commitment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.06.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.07 Periodic reexamination and treatment progress; report from the department.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.07.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.08 Supervised release; procedures, implementation, revocation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.08.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.09 Petition for discharge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.09.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.11 Notice concerning supervised release or discharge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.11.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.12 Department duties; costs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.12.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.13 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.13.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.14 Immunity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.14.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 980.015 Notice to the department of justice and district attorney.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.015.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C980_S980.03. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.