2025 Session Last amended: 2013 session

§ 609.1351 — Petition for Civil Commitment

Plain-Language Summary

Requires courts to decide at sentencing whether a person convicted of criminal sexual conduct may be appropriate for civil commitment as a sexually dangerous person. If the court believes civil commitment may be warranted, it must forward its findings to the county attorney.

609.1351 PETITION FOR CIVIL COMMITMENT.

When a court sentences a person under section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3453, or 609.3455, subdivision 3a, the court shall make a preliminary determination whether in the court’s opinion a petition under chapter 253D may be appropriate and include the determination as part of the sentencing order. If the court determines that a petition may be appropriate, the court shall forward its preliminary determination along with supporting documentation to the county attorney.

History:

1989 c 290 art 4 s 9; 1992 c 571 art 3 s 7; 1Sp1994 c 1 art 2 s 32; 1998 c 367 art 6 s 15; 2005 c 136 art 4 s 5; 2006 c 260 art 1 s 47; 2013 c 49 s 22

History: History: 1989 c 290 art 4 s 9; 1992 c 571 art 3 s 7; 1Sp1994 c 1 art 2 s 32; 1998 c 367 art 6 s 15; 2005 c 136 art 4 s 5; 2006 c 260 art 1 s 47; 2013 c 49 s 22

Practical Notes

This is a preliminary screening that occurs during criminal sentencing. It does not order civil commitment but starts the process by alerting the county attorney. Civil commitment proceedings under chapter 253D are separate from the criminal case and can result in indefinite confinement in a treatment facility.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes