MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Justice filed a petition under the state's sexual predator law against a Green County man Friday, according to a statement from state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.
The petition was filed Aug. 20, 2009, in Green County Circuit Court, and alleged that Chad E. Baird, 27, is a sexually violent person and should be committed for treatment.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for September 2, 2009, before Judge James R. Beer.
According to the petition, Baird was convicted of first degree sexual assault of a child in Green County in 2002, and was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by 13 years extended supervision. Baird was scheduled for release from the Department of Corrections on today, but will be detained at a Department of Health Services facility to await trial on the petition.
Chapter 980 of the Wisconsin Statutes relates to the control, care and treatment of sexually violent persons. Under Wisconsin law, a person may be subject to a civil commitment when the person has been convicted of a sexually violent offense, has a mental disorder, and is dangerous to others because the mental disorder makes it likely he or she will commit further acts of sexual violence, Van Hollen's statement said.
A civil commitment is defined in Wisconsin law as commitment to the custody and care of the Department of Health Services for control, care and treatment until the person is no longer considered sexually violent.
The state's petition alleges that Baird suffers from mental conditions that predispose him to engage in acts of sexual violence. The petition also alleges that Baird is dangerous as his mental disorders make it likely that he will engage in future acts of sexual violence. A petition is only an allegation and Baird is legally presumed not to be a sexually violent person unless, and until, the state proves him to be a sexually violent person at a trial, according to the statement.
Assistant Attorney General Michael Schaefer represents the state in this case.
The petition was filed Aug. 20, 2009, in Green County Circuit Court, and alleged that Chad E. Baird, 27, is a sexually violent person and should be committed for treatment.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for September 2, 2009, before Judge James R. Beer.
According to the petition, Baird was convicted of first degree sexual assault of a child in Green County in 2002, and was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by 13 years extended supervision. Baird was scheduled for release from the Department of Corrections on today, but will be detained at a Department of Health Services facility to await trial on the petition.
Chapter 980 of the Wisconsin Statutes relates to the control, care and treatment of sexually violent persons. Under Wisconsin law, a person may be subject to a civil commitment when the person has been convicted of a sexually violent offense, has a mental disorder, and is dangerous to others because the mental disorder makes it likely he or she will commit further acts of sexual violence, Van Hollen's statement said.
A civil commitment is defined in Wisconsin law as commitment to the custody and care of the Department of Health Services for control, care and treatment until the person is no longer considered sexually violent.
The state's petition alleges that Baird suffers from mental conditions that predispose him to engage in acts of sexual violence. The petition also alleges that Baird is dangerous as his mental disorders make it likely that he will engage in future acts of sexual violence. A petition is only an allegation and Baird is legally presumed not to be a sexually violent person unless, and until, the state proves him to be a sexually violent person at a trial, according to the statement.
Assistant Attorney General Michael Schaefer represents the state in this case.