Section 23.65. Issuance of complaint and summons.  


Latest version.
  • (1)  When it appears to the district attorney that a violation of s. 90.21 , 134.60 , 281.36 , 281.48 (2) to (5) , 283.33 , 285.57 (2) , 285.59 (2) , (3) (c) and (4) , 287.07 , 287.08 , 287.81 or 299.64 (2) , this chapter or ch. 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 169 , or 350 , or any administrative rule promulgated pursuant thereto, a violation specified under s. 285.86 , or a violation of ch. 951 , if the animal involved is a captive wild animal, has been committed the district attorney may proceed by complaint and summons.
    (2)  The complaint shall be prepared in the form specified in s. 23.55 . After a complaint is prepared, it shall be filed with the judge and a summons shall be issued or the complaint shall be dismissed pursuant to s. 968.03 . Such filing commences the action.
    (3)  If a district attorney refuses or is unavailable to issue a complaint, a circuit judge, after conducting a hearing, may permit the filing of a complaint if he or she finds there is probable cause to believe that the person charged has committed a violation of s. 281.36 , 287.07 , 287.08 or 287.81 , this chapter or ch. 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 or 350 or a violation specified under s. 285.86 . The district attorney shall be informed of the hearing and may attend.