What is a Three-Party Petition?

A Three-Party Petition is a legal document that shows why a person in need meets the standards for a civil commitment. It includes information about the petitioners, including their names, phone numbers, and addresses. An affidavit is required by each petitioner. An affidavit is a sworn statement of facts that is made under oath.

The adults that seek a civil commitment are called petitioners. Corporation Counsel does not represent the petitioners. Corporation Counsel represents the interests of the public. In general, the Waukesha County Office of Corporation Counsel will assist petitioners if the person in need is a Waukesha County resident.

A Three-Party Petition is not a quick process. If there is an emergency, please call 911. 

Please understand this is not a process to help people that are not dangerous. Irrational, non-sensical, non-reality based, angry, or loud behavior, even if it scares people, is not dangerous under the law. 

This is not an anonymous process. The person in need will receive a copy of the Three-Party Petition and the person in need has the right to attend all court proceedings. 

This is not something you can file on your own or a guarantee that the person in need will be committed, even if a Three-Party Petition is filed by this office.

This is not a way to help a person with a permanent disability (i.e. dementia, Alzheimer's, or traumatic brain injuries).