By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//December 16, 2014//
Wisconsin Supreme Court
Civil
Civil Commitment – Sufficiency of the evidence
An articulated plan is not a necessary component of a suicide threat.
“If we were to hold otherwise, it would require a person in a confused mental state to articulate a plan before obtaining treatment through involuntary commitment. That would write
into the statute a potential barrier to treatment that is inconsistent with its purpose. We also conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support Michael’s involuntary
commitment because credible evidence existed in the record supporting inferences that there was a substantial probability that he was dangerous to himself within the meaning of Wis.
Stat. §§ 51.20(1)(a)2.a., based on threats of suicide or serious bodily harm, and (1)(a)2.c., based on impaired judgment, manifested by a pattern of recent acts.”
Affirmed.
2013AP1638-FT Outagamie County v. Michael H.
Crooks, J.