2017 Wisconsin Act 211

1. Sell the property and use a portion, not to exceed 50 percent, of the amount received for payment of forfeiture expenses if the agency produces an itemized report of actual forfeiture expenses and submits the report to the department of administration to make it available on the department's website. The remainder shall be deposited in the school fund as proceeds of the forfeiture. In this subdivision, “forfeiture expenses” include all proper expenses of the proceedings for forfeiture and sale, including expenses of seizure, maintenance of custody, advertising, and court costs and the costs of investigation and prosecution reasonably incurred.

2. Continue to retain the property, if the agency deposits 30 percent of the value of the vehicle, as determined by the department of revenue, in the school fund as proceeds of the forfeiture. If the agency sells the vehicle at a later time and receives as proceeds from the sale an amount in excess of the amount previously deposited in the school fund, the agency shall deposit the excess in the school fund.

211,48 Section 48. 973.075 (5) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

973.075 (5) (intro.) All forfeitures under ss. 973.075 to 973.077 shall be made with due provision for the rights of innocent persons under sub. (1) (b) 2m., (bg), (bm), (d) and (e) subs. (1g), (1k), and (1m). Except as provided in sub. (5m) (5r), any property seized but not forfeited shall be returned to its rightful owner. Any person claiming the right to possession of property seized may apply for its return to the circuit court for the county in which the property was seized. The court shall order such notice as it deems adequate to be given the district attorney and all persons who have or may have an interest in the property and shall hold a hearing to hear all claims to its true ownership. If the right to possession is proved to the court's satisfaction, it shall order the property returned as soon as practically possible if:

211,49 Section 49. 973.075 (5m) of the statutes is repealed.

211,50 Section 50. 973.075 (5r) of the statutes is created to read:

973.075 (5r) If a recording involved in a violation of ss. 943.207 to 943.209 is forfeited, the sheriff of the county in which the recording was seized shall destroy it after the completion of all proceedings in which the recording might be required as evidence.

211,51 Section 51. 973.076 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

973.076 (1) (a) Type of action; where brought. In an action brought to cause the forfeiture of any property specified in s. 342.30 (4) (a) or s. 973.075 (1), the court may render a judgment in rem or against a party personally, or both. The circuit court for the county in which the property was seized shall have jurisdiction over any proceedings regarding the property when the action is commenced in state court. Any Subject to s. 973.075 (1r), any property seized may be the subject of a federal forfeiture action.

211,52 Section 52. 973.076 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

973.076 (1) (b) 1. The district attorney of the county within which the property was seized or in which the defendant is convicted shall commence the forfeiture action within 30 days after the seizure of the property or the date of conviction, whichever is earlier, except that the defendant may request that and the forfeiture proceedings shall be adjourned until after adjudication the defendant is convicted of any charge concerning a crime which was the basis for the seizure of the property. The request shall be granted If property is seized, a charge shall be issued within 6 months after the seizure, except that an unlimited number of 6-month extensions may be granted if, for each extension, a judge determines probable cause is shown and the additional time is warranted. If no charge is issued within 6 months after the seizure, or a 6-month extension is not granted, the seized property shall be returned to the owner. The forfeiture action shall be commenced by filing a summons, complaint and affidavit of the person who seized the property with the clerk of circuit court, provided service of authenticated copies of those papers is made in accordance with ch. 801 within 90 days after filing upon the person from whom the property was seized and upon any person known to have a bona fide perfected security interest in the property.

211,53 Section 53. 973.076 (1) (b) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

973.076 (1) (b) 1m. Upon motion by the prosecuting attorney, the court may waive the conviction requirement under subd. 1. if the prosecuting attorney shows by clear and convincing evidence that any of the following applies:

a. The defendant has died.

b. The defendant was deported by the U.S. government.

c. The defendant has been granted immunity in exchange for testifying or otherwise assisting a law enforcement investigation or prosecution.

d. The defendant fled the jurisdiction.

e. The property has been unclaimed for a period of at least 9 months.

f. The property is contraband that is subject to forfeiture under s. 961.55 (6), (6m), or (7).

211,54 Section 54. 973.076 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

973.076 (2m) (a) In addition to any penalties under this chapter, the court shall, with due provision for the rights of innocent persons in accordance with sub. (5), order forfeiture of any property specified in s. 973.075 (1) in accordance with pars. (b), (c), and (d).

211,55 Section 55. 973.076 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

973.076 (3) Burden of proof. The state shall have the burden of satisfying or proving by clear and convincing to a reasonable certainty by the greater weight of the credible evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture under s. ss. 973.075 to 973.077.

211,56 Section 56. 973.076 (3g) of the statutes is created to read:

973.076 (3g) Privileges. The defendant or convicted offender may invoke the right against self-incrimination or the marital privilege during the forfeiture-related stage of the prosecution. The trier of fact at the hearing may draw an adverse inference from the invocation of the right or privilege.

211,57 Section 57. 973.076 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

973.076 (3m) Proportionality. (a) The court may not order the forfeiture of property if the court finds that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional to the crime for which the person whose property was seized was convicted or that the forfeiture is unconstitutionally excessive under the state or federal constitution.

(b) A person who is alleging that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or is unconstitutionally excessive under this subsection shall have the burden of satisfying or convincing to a reasonable certainty by the greater weight of the credible evidence that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or unconstitutionally excessive.

(c) In determining whether the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or unconstitutionally excessive, the court shall consider the following:

1. The seriousness of the offense.

2. The purpose of the statute authorizing the forfeiture.

3. The maximum fine for the offense.

4. The harm that actually resulted from the defendant's conduct.

(d) In determining whether the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or unconstitutionally excessive, the court may not consider the value of the property to the state.

211,58 Section 58. 973.076 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

973.076 (5) Innocent owners. (a) Notwithstanding sub. (1) (b) 1., a person who claims to have an ownership interest in property subject to forfeiture as an innocent owner may petition the court for the return of his or her seized property at any time.

(b) A person who has an ownership interest in property subject to forfeiture that exists at the occurrence of the illegal conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and who claims to be an innocent owner has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that he or she has a legal right, title, or interest in the property seized under this chapter.

(c) If the requisite showing under par. (b) has been made, in order to proceed with a forfeiture action against the property, the state has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the person had actual or constructive knowledge of the underlying crime giving rise to the forfeiture.

(d) A person who has an ownership interest in property subject to forfeiture that he or she acquired after the occurrence of the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and who claims to be an innocent owner has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that he or she has a legal right, title, or interest in the property seized under this chapter.

(e) If the requisite showing under par. (d) has been made, in order to proceed with a forfeiture action against the property, the state has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the person had actual or constructive knowledge that the property was subject to forfeiture or that the person was not a bona fide purchaser without notice of any defect in title and for valuable consideration.

(f) If the state does not meet the burden under par. (c) or (e) as to any property, the court shall find that the property is the property of an innocent owner and not subject to forfeiture under this chapter and shall order the state to relinquish all claims of title to the property.

211,59 Section 59. 973.076 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

973.076 (6) Return of property. The court shall order the return of any property subject to forfeiture under ss. 973.075 to 973.077 within 30 days of acquittal or dismissal of charges for the offense which was the basis of the forfeiture action, or 6 months after a seizure which was the basis of the forfeiture action if no charges have been issued and no extension has been granted. If the property is co-owned by 2 or more defendants in a criminal action, and one or more defendant co-owners are acquitted or the charges against him or her are dismissed, the court shall have discretion to dispose of the co-owned property in accordance with the proportionality guidelines in sub. (3m) as he or she deems appropriate.

211,60 Section 60. 973.076 (7) of the statutes is created to read:

973.076 (7) Attorney fees. A person who prevails in an action to return property subject to forfeiture under ss. 973.075 to 973.077 may be awarded reasonable attorney fees by the state if the court finds that the forfeiting agency or prosecuting attorney has arbitrarily and capriciously pursued the forfeiture action.

211,61 Section 61. Initial applicability.

(1) This act first applies to property that is seized on the effective date of this subsection.