Wisconsin Statutes 895.037 – Abortions on or for a minor without parental consent or judicial waiver
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Terms Used In Wisconsin Statutes 895.037
- Chambers: A judge's office.
- Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Minor: means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, "minor" does not include a person who has attained the age of 17 years. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Person: includes all partnerships, associations and bodies politic or corporate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Abortion” has the meaning given in s. 48.375 (2) (a).
(c) “Emancipated minor” has the meaning given in s. 48.375 (2) (e).
(2) Penalties.
(a) Any person who, in violation of s. 48.375 (4), intentionally performs or induces an abortion on or for a minor whom the person knows or has reason to know is not an emancipated minor may be required to forfeit not more than $10,000.
(b) Any person who intentionally violates s. 48.375 (7) (e) or 809.105 (12) may be required to forfeit not more than $10,000.
(3) Civil remedies.
(a) A person who intentionally violates s. 48.375 (4) is liable to the minor on or for whom the abortion was performed or induced and to the minor’s parent, guardian and legal custodian for damages arising out of the performance or inducement of the abortion including, but not limited to, damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress.
(b) If a person who has been awarded damages under par. (a) proves by clear and convincing evidence that the violation of s. 48.375 (4) was willful, wanton or reckless, that person shall also be entitled to punitive damages.
(c) A conviction under sub. (2) (a) is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment or collecting that judgment under this subsection.
(d) A person who recovers damages under par. (a) or (b) may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1).
(e) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.
(f) Nothing in this subsection limits the common law rights of parents, guardians, legal custodians and minors.
(4) Confidentiality. The identity of a minor who is the subject of an action under this section and the identity of the minor’s parents, guardian and legal custodian shall be kept confidential and may not be disclosed, except to the court, the parties, their counsel, witnesses and other persons approved by the court. All papers filed in and all records of a court relating to an action under this section shall identify the minor as “Jane Doe” and shall identify her parents, guardian and legal custodian by initials only. All hearings relating to an action under this section shall be held in chambers unless the minor demands a hearing in open court and her parents, guardian or legal custodian do not object. If a public hearing is not held, only the parties, their counsel, witnesses and other persons requested by the court, or requested by a party and approved by the court, may be present.