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LinkedInThe Wisconsin Children's Jury Instructions are created as models, checklists, or minimum standards. Instructions focus on children in need of protection or services (CHIPS) cases and involuntary termination of parental rights (TPR) cases. It may be necessary to modify instructions to accommodate the facts of the case. There is not a model instruction for every situation. Comments or directions in brackets, italics, or parenthesis may describe special conditions for use, or other cautionary or explanatory material.
Cite these instructions as: Wis JI-Children
Browse the jury instructions using the table of contents below, or print the entire instruction set (rev. 7/2024).
Introduction Introduction (current edition) PDF
JI-10 Suggested Order of Instructions: Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) or Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Case (2016) Word PDF
JI-15 Comment: Gender-Neutral Language (7/2024) Word PDF
JI-50 Preliminary Instruction: Before Trial (7/2024) Word PDF
JI-57 Juror Questioning of Witness (2018) Word PDF
JI-60 Notetaking Not Allowed (2018) Word PDF
JI-61 Notetaking Permitted (2018) Word PDF
JI-70 Transcripts not available for deliberations; reading back testimony (1/2023) Word PDF
JI-75 Recording played to the jury (1/2023) Word PDF
JI-100 Confidentiality: Preliminary Instruction (2018) Word PDF
JI-110 Remarks and Arguments of Counsel (2018) Word PDF
JI-115 Objections of Counsel (2018) Word PDF
JI-120 Ignoring Judge's Demeanor (2018) Word PDF
JI-125 Impeachment of Witness: Prior Conviction or Juvenile Adjudication (2018) Word PDF
JI-130 Stricken Testimony (2018) Word PDF
JI-140 Credibility of Witnesses; Weight of Evidence (2018) Word PDF
JI-145 Special Verdict Questions: Interrelationship (2018) Word PDF
JI-149 Witness Exercising Privilege Against Self-Incrimination: Termination of Parental Rights Proceeding (1/2024) Word PDF
JI-151 Closing: Short Form (2018) Word PDF
JI-152 Closing: Long Form (2018) Word PDF
JI-160 Expert Testimony: General (2018) Word PDF
JI-165 Expert Testimony: Hypothetical Questions (2018) Word PDF
JI-170 Burden of Proof: Ordinary (2018) Word PDF
JI-175 Burden of Proof: Middle (2018) Word PDF
JI-180 Appropriate Date for Jury's Finding (2016) Word PDF
JI-185 Five-Sixths Verdict (2018) Word PDF
JI-195 Supplemental Instruction Where Jury is Unable to Agree (2018) Word PDF
JI-197 Instruction after Verdict is Received (2018) Word PDF
JI-200 Preliminary Instruction (2009) Word PDF
JI-202 Unborn Child in Need of Protection or Services: Preliminary Instruction (2009) Word PDF
JI-205 Child Without a Parent or Guardian (2005) Word PDF
JI-212 CHIPS: Relinquishment of custody of newborn child (Wis. Stat. § 48.13(2m)) (7/2024) Word PDF
JI-215 CHIPS: Abuse by physical injury (Wis. Stat. § 48.13(3) and § 48.02(1)(a)) (7/2024) Word PDF
JI-216 Abuse by Methamphetamine Manufacturing (2010) Word PDF
JI-217 Abuse by Sexual Intercourse or Contact (2010) Word PDF
JI-218 Abuse by Sexual Exploitation: Violation of Wis. Stat. § 948.05(1)(a) (2010) Word PDF
JI-218A Abuse by Sexual Exploitation: Violation of Wis. Stat. § 948.05(1)(b) (2010) Word PDF
JI-218B Abuse by Sexual Exploitation: Violation of Wis. Stat. § 948.05(2) (2010) Word PDF
JI-218C Abuse by Causing a Child to View or Listen to Sexual Activity: Violation of Wis. Stat. § 948.055 (2010) Word PDF
JI-218D Abuse: Exposing or Causing a Child to Expose Genitals or Pubic Area: Violation of Wis. Stat. § 948.10 (2010) Word PDF
JI-219 Abuse: Prostitution: Violation of Wis. Stat. § 944.30 (2010) Word PDF
JI-220 Abuse: Advisory Verdict as to Perpetrator (2010) Word PDF
JI-222 Substantial Risk of Physical Abuse (2010) Word PDF
JI-223 Substantial Risk of Abuse (Methamphetamine Manufacturing) (2010) Word PDF
JI-224 Substantial Risk of Sexual Abuse (2010) Word PDF
JI-230 Parent (Guardian) Unable or Needs Assistance to Care for (2015) Word PDF
JI-231 Parental Inability to Control (Withdrawn in 1997)
JI-232 Parent (Guardian) Unable or Needs Assistance to Provide Necessary Special Treatment or Care (2015) Word PDF
JI-233 Parent Fails to Provide Care (2010) Word PDF
JI-234 Guardian Unable or Needs Assistance to Care for; Unwilling or Unable to Sign Petition (2009) Word PDF
JI-234A Guardian Unable or Needs Assistance to Provide Special Treatment or Care; Unwilling or Unable to Sign Petition (2009) Word PDF
JI-235 CHIPS: Placed for care in violation of law (Wis. Stat. § 48.13(5)) (7/2024) Word PDF
JI-236 Placed for Adoption in Violation of Law (2005) Word PDF
JI-240 Inadequate Care During Period of Parental Absence (Missing) (2005) Word PDF
JI-241 Inadequate Care During Period of Parental Absence (Incarcerated) (2005) Word PDF
JI-242 Inadequate Care During Period of Parental Absence (Hospitalized) (2005) Word PDF
JI-243 Inadequate Care During Period of Parental Absence (Institutionalized) (2005) Word PDF
JI-250 Parental Neglect, Refusal, or Inability to Provide (2012) Word PDF
JI-255 Substantial Risk of Neglect, Refusal, or Inability to Provide (2012) Word PDF
JI-260 Emotional Damage (2008) Word PDF
JI-265 Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Impairment (2005) Word PDF
JI-280 Unborn Child in Need of Protection or Services (2009) Word PDF
JI-290 Habitual Truancy (Withdrawn in 1997)
JI-295 Delinquent Act (Under Age of 12) (Withdrawn in 1997)
JI-300 Preliminary Instruction (General) (2009) Word PDF
JI-301 Consideration of Child's Best Interests in Termination Proceedings (2015) Word PDF
JI-302 Separate Parents and Separate Verdicts in Termination Proceedings (2016) Word PDF
JI-305 Abandonment (60 days) (2006) Word PDF
JI-307 Abandonment: Left Without Provision for Care (2009) Word PDF
JI-308 Abandonment: When Child Under One Year (2005) Word PDF
JI-313 Involuntary termination of parental rights: Abandonment: Placement and failure to visit or communicate for three months (Wis. Stat. § 48.415(1)(a)2) (7/2024) Word PDF
JI-314 Abandonment: Left With Another Person and Failure to Visit or Communicate for Six Months (2018) Word PDF
JI-323 Continuing Need of Protection or Services (Withdrawn in 2011)
JI-324 Continuing Need of Protection or Services [Wis. Stat. § 48.415(2)(a)] (1/2024) Word PDF
JI-324A Continuing Need of Protection or Services (April 21, 2006, and where 2017 Wis. Act 256 does not apply) [Wis. Stat. § 48.415(2)(a)] (Withdrawn in 1/2023)
JI-324B Continuing Need of Protection or Services (Before April 21, 2006, and where 2017 Wis. Act 256 does not apply) [Wis. Stat. § 48.415(2)(a)1] (Withdrawn in 1/2023)
JI-325 Continuing Need of Protection or Services: Three or More CHIPS Orders (2011) Word PDF
JI-330 Continuing Parental Disability (2011) Word PDF
JI-335 Continuing Denial of Periods of Physical Placement or Visitation (2016) Word PDF
JI-340 Abuse: Pattern of Abusive Behavior and Felony Conviction (2016) Word PDF
JI-342 Abuse: Pattern of Abusive Behavior and Prior Removal by Court Order (Removal of Abused Child from Parent's Home) (2011) Word PDF
JI-345 Failure to Assume Parental Responsibility (Where Paternity Determined Since Petition Was Filed) (Withdrawn in 2011)
JI-346 Failure to Assume Parental Responsibility (2018) Word PDF
JI-346A Failure to Assume Parental Responsibility: Knowledge of Paternity [Wis. Stat. § 48.415(6)(a)] (2018) Word PDF
JI-346B Failure to Assume Parental Responsibility: Incarcerated Parent [Wis. Stat. § 48.415(6)(a)] (1/2024) Word PDF
JI-350 Incestuous Parenthood (2011) Word PDF
JI-370 Homicide or Solicitation to Commit Homicide of Parent (2011) Word PDF
JI-371 Parenthood as a Result of a Sexual Assault (Where a Judgment of Conviction or Adjudication of Delinquency Exists) (2011) Word PDF
JI-371A Parenthood as a Result of a Sexual Assault (Where No Judgment of Conviction or Adjudication of Delinquency Exists) (2011) Word PDF
JI-372 Commission of a Felony Against a Child (1/2024) Word PDF
JI-375 Prior Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights (2011) Word PDF
JI-410 CHIPS (Out-of-Home Care Placement): Verdict [Wis. Stat. § 48.028(4)(d)] (2015) Word PDF
JI-412 CHIPS (Out-of-Home Care Placement): Serious Emotional Damage or Serious Physical Damage [Wis. Stat. § 48.028 (4)(d)1.] (2010) Word PDF
JI-414 CHIPS (Out-of-Home Care Placement): Active Efforts [Wis. Stat. § 48.028 (4)(d)2.] (2013) Word PDF
JI-420 Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights: Verdict [Wis. Stat. § 48.028(4)(e)] (2018) Word PDF
JI-422 Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights: Serious Emotional Damage or Serious Physical Damage [Wis. Stat. § 48.028 (4)(e)1.] (2018) Word PDF
JI-424 Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights: "Active Efforts" [Wis. Stat. § 48.028 (4)(e)2.] (1/2023) Word PDF
JI-SM-1 Analysis of effective dates of juvenile legislation and jury instructions on the new elements (1997) Word PDF
JI-SM-2 Use of summary judgments, jury waivers, stipulations, and directed verdicts in termination and CHIPS proceedings (2015) Word PDF
The Wisconsin Children's Jury Instructions are created and edited by the Wisconsin Juvenile Jury Instructions Committee of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference. Instructions include contributions from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, and are used with its permission.
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