State v. Paulick

Rayfe J. Paulick appeals from an order finding him to still be a sexually violent person and denying the default petition for a hearing on discharge from commitment. The issue involves the required procedures for the probable cause hearing under § 980.09(2)(a), Stats. We conclude that ch. 980, Stats., provides for annual review and allows the committed person to petition for release, with the trial court acting as the gatekeeper weeding out frivolous petitions by committed persons who allege that they are no longer dangerous and are fit for release. We do not interpret § 980.09(2)(a) as…