Petition for Examination 51.20(1)(ar) and (1)(av)
Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective May 30, 2024
This form is used to ask the court to examine a person who is in a state prison because they are believed to be mentally ill and need treatment that is not available inside the prison.
The court describes it as: Initiates involuntary commitment proceedings of inmate of a state prison who is alleged to be mentally ill to receive outpatient treatment in prison or inpatient treatment at a state facility because appropriate treatment is not available in the prison.
Where this fits in a case
Start a caseStage: Start a case
This form is used when someone believes an incarcerated person needs mental health treatment, either outpatient or inpatient, at a state facility because the prison cannot provide it.
Usually filed by the person starting the case.
Official instructions
How-to guides published by the court for this form.
Common questions
- What is this form for?
- This form asks the court to examine a person in a state prison who is believed to be mentally ill and needs treatment outside of the prison. Great care must be taken to include required reports with this filing.
- Who fills out this form?
- The form is filled out by the petitioner(s) who are making the request to the court.
Revision history
No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect May 30, 2024.
Related forms
- ME-902
Statement of Emergency Detention by Treatment Director
This form is used by a treatment director to start a legal process called involuntary civil commitment. It asks the court to recognize that a person is mentally ill or dangerous and needs to be held for safety.
WordStart a case
Eff. Dec 16, 2002
- ME-903
Petition for Examination
This form starts a legal process asking the court to examine the condition of an adult. It requires three petitioners to state why they believe the person needs examination, citing reasons like mental illness, drug dependence, or danger to self or others.
WordStart a case
Eff. May 30, 2024
- ME-907
Statement of Emergency Detention by DA or Corp Counsel
This form is used by a District Attorney or Corporation Counsel to start a legal process called an emergency detention for a criminal defendant. It states that the person is mentally ill, drug dependent, or developmentally disabled and shows behavior that suggests a real chance of harming themselves or others.
WordStart a case
Eff. Mar 12, 2020
- ME-913
Petition for Examination (Fifth Standard under 51.20(1)(a)2.e.)
This form is used to ask the court to examine a person's mental condition under a specific state law. It requires petitioners to state that the person is mentally ill and that they cannot make informed choices about treatment.
WordStart a case
Eff. May 30, 2024
- ME-945
Evaluation and Recommendation Regarding Commitment and Petition for Recommitment
This form is used to provide an evaluation and recommendation about whether a person should be kept in a facility and to ask the court for a hearing to recommit them. It includes sections for the department's findings and a petition to the court.
WordStart a case
Eff. Mar 12, 2020
- ME-901
Statement of Emergency Detention by Law Enforcement Officer
This form is used by a law enforcement officer to start a legal process when they believe a person is mentally ill, disabled, or drug dependent, and poses a danger to themselves or others. It requires the officer to state the reasons for the detention and describe the dangerous behavior observed.
WordAfter judgment
Eff. May 1, 2014
- ME-904A
Motion for Dismissal
This form is a request to the court asking the County Corporation Counsel to dismiss a case that involves the condition of a person. The form requires the counsel to state the reasons for the dismissal.
WordMotions
Eff. Nov 21, 2019
- ME-904B
Order on Motion for Dismissal
This form is a court order that officially dismisses a case that was started under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 51.
WordMotions
Eff. Dec 1, 2002