Opinion No. Oag 24-90, (1990)

RALPH E. SHARP, JR., Corporation Counsel County of Dodge

You ask five questions related to the conduct of involuntary civil commitment proceedings by the corporation counsel under chapter 51, Stats.

Your first question is as follows: "Who does the Corporation Counsel represent in the conduct of all proceedings under Chapter 51 of the Wisconsin Statutes, when he represents `. . . the interests of the public. . .'?"

In my opinion, the overriding obligation of the corporation counsel is to represent the interest of the public at large, as opposed to the interest of any governmental entity.

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