Chapter 947

947.011 History History: 2005 a. 114; 2011 a. 35.

947.012 947.012 Unlawful use of telephone.

947.012(1) (1) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor:

947.012(1)(a) (a) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse or harass, makes a telephone call and threatens to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or the property of any person.

947.012(1)(b) (b) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten or abuse, telephones another and uses any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggests any lewd or lascivious act.

947.012(1)(c) (c) Makes a telephone call, whether or not conversation ensues, without disclosing his or her identity and with intent to abuse or threaten any person at the called number.

947.012(2) (2) Whoever does any of the following is subject to a Class B forfeiture:

947.012(2)(a) (a) With intent to harass or offend, telephones another and uses any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggests any lewd or lascivious act.

947.012(2)(b) (b) Makes or causes the telephone of another repeatedly to ring, with intent to harass any person at the called number.

947.012(2)(c) (c) Makes repeated telephone calls, whether or not conversation ensues, with intent solely to harass any person at the called number.

947.012(2)(d) (d) Makes a telephone call, whether or not conversation ensues, without disclosing his or her identity and with intent to harass any person at the called number.

947.012(2)(e) (e) Knowingly permits any telephone under his or her control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section.

947.012 History History: 1979 c. 131; 1991 a. 39.

947.0125 947.0125 Unlawful use of computerized communication systems.

947.0125(1) (1) In this section, “message” means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature, or any transfer of a computer program, as defined in s. 943.70 (1) (c).

947.0125(2) (2) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor:

947.0125(2)(a) (a) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse or harass another person, sends a message to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system and in that message threatens to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or the property of any person.

947.0125(2)(b) (b) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse or harass another person, sends a message on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system with the reasonable expectation that the person will receive the message and in that message threatens to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or the property of any person.

947.0125(2)(c) (c) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten or abuse another person, sends a message to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system and in that message uses any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggests any lewd or lascivious act.

947.0125(2)(d) (d) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten or abuse another person, sends a message on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system with the reasonable expectation that the person will receive the message and in that message uses any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggests any lewd or lascivious act.

947.0125(2)(e) (e) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten or abuse another person, sends a message to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system while intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent the disclosure of his or her own identity.

947.0125(2)(f) (f) While intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent the disclosure of his or her identity and with intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten or abuse another person, sends a message on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system with the reasonable expectation that the person will receive the message.

947.0125(3) (3) Whoever does any of the following is subject to a Class B forfeiture:

947.0125(3)(a) (a) With intent to harass, annoy or offend another person, sends a message to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system and in that message uses any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggests any lewd or lascivious act.

947.0125(3)(b) (b) With intent to harass, annoy or offend another person, sends a message on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system with the reasonable expectation that the person will receive the message and in that message uses any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggests any lewd or lascivious act.

947.0125(3)(c) (c) With intent solely to harass another person, sends repeated messages to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system.

947.0125(3)(d) (d) With intent solely to harass another person, sends repeated messages on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system with the reasonable expectation that the person will receive the messages.

947.0125(3)(e) (e) With intent to harass or annoy another person, sends a message to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system while intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent the disclosure of his or her own identity.

947.0125(3)(f) (f) While intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent the disclosure of his or her identity and with intent to harass or annoy another person, sends a message on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system with the reasonable expectation that the person will receive the message.

947.0125(3)(g) (g) Knowingly permits or directs another person to send a message prohibited by this section from any computer terminal or other device that is used to send messages on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system and that is under his or her control.

947.0125 History History: 1995 a. 353.

947.013 947.013 Harassment.

947.013(1) (1) In this section:

947.013(1)(a) (a) “Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose.

947.013(1)(b) (b) “Credible threat” means a threat made with the intent and apparent ability to carry out the threat.

947.013(1)(c) (c) “Personally identifiable information” has the meaning given in s. 19.62 (5).

947.013(1)(d) (d) “Record” has the meaning given in s. 19.32 (2).

947.013(1m) (1m) Whoever, with intent to harass or intimidate another person, does any of the following is subject to a Class B forfeiture:

947.013(1m)(a) (a) Strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects the person to physical contact or attempts or threatens to do the same.

947.013(1m)(b) (b) Engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which harass or intimidate the person and which serve no legitimate purpose.

947.013(1r) (1r) Whoever violates sub. (1m) under all of the following circumstances is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:

947.013(1r)(a) (a) The act is accompanied by a credible threat that places the victim in reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm.

947.013(1r)(b) (b) The act occurs while the actor is subject to an order or injunction under s. 813.12, 813.122 or 813.125 that prohibits or limits his or her contact with the victim.

947.013(1t) (1t) Whoever violates sub. (1r) is guilty of a Class I felony if the person has a prior conviction under this subsection or sub. (1r), (1v), or (1x) or s. 940.32 (2), (2e), (2m), or (3) involving the same victim and the present violation occurs within 7 years of the prior conviction.

947.013(1v) (1v) Whoever violates sub. (1r) is guilty of a Class H felony if he or she intentionally gains access to a record in electronic format that contains personally identifiable information regarding the victim in order to facilitate the violation under sub. (1r).

947.013(1x) (1x) Whoever violates sub. (1r) under all of the following circumstances is guilty of a Class H felony:

947.013(1x)(a) (a) The person has a prior conviction under sub. (1r), (1t) or (1v) or this subsection or s. 940.32 (2), (2e), (2m), or (3).

947.013(1x)(b) (b) The person intentionally gains access to a record in order to facilitate the current violation under sub. (1r).

947.013(2) (2) This section does not prohibit any person from participating in lawful conduct in labor disputes under s. 103.53.

947.013 History History: 1983 a. 336; 1991 a. 194; 1993 a. 496; 2001 a. 109.

947.013 Annotation This section is not a safety statute and does not grant a private right of action for its violation. Estate of Drab v. Anderson, 143 Wis. 2d 568, 422 N.W.2d 144 (Ct. App. 1988).

947.014 947.014 Swatting.

947.014(1) (1) In this section:

947.014(1)(a) (a) “Authorized emergency vehicle” has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (3).

947.014(1)(b) (b) “Emergency” means any of the following:

947.014(1)(b)1. 1. A condition that results in or could result in the response of a law enforcement officer, tribal law enforcement officer, state-certified commission warden, fire fighter, emergency medical responder, or emergency medical services practitioner in an authorized emergency vehicle, aircraft, or vessel.

947.014(1)(b)2. 2. A condition that jeopardizes or could jeopardize public safety and results in or could result in the evacuation of any area, building, structure, or vehicle.

947.014(1)(c) (c) “Emergency medical responder” has the meaning given in s. 256.01 (4p).

947.014(1)(d) (d) “Emergency medical services practitioner” has the meaning given in s. 256.01 (5).

947.014(1)(e) (e) “Fire fighter” has the meaning given in s. 102.475 (8) (b).

947.014(1)(f) (f) “Law enforcement agency” has the meaning given in s. 165.77 (1) (b).

947.014(1)(g) (g) “Law enforcement officer” has the meaning given in s. 165.85 (2) (c).

947.014(1)(h) (h) “Specialized tactical team” means a special weapons and tactics team or a tactical response team that is designated by a law enforcement agency and whose members are recruited, selected, trained, equipped, and assigned to resolve critical incidents that involve a threat to public safety.

947.014(1)(i) (i) “Tribal law enforcement officer” has the meaning given in s. 165.92 (1) (b).

947.014(2) (2) Whoever, knowing the information is false, intentionally conveys, or causes to be conveyed, any false information that an emergency exists is guilty of a Class I felony if the information elicits, or could elicit, a response from a specialized tactical team.

947.014(3) (3) Whoever violates sub. (2) is guilty of a Class H felony if the violation resulted in bodily harm to any person or a Class E felony if the violation resulted in great bodily harm to any person.

947.014 History History: 2019 a. 132.

947.015 947.015 Bomb scares. Whoever intentionally conveys or causes to be conveyed any threat or false information, knowing such to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any property by the means of explosives is guilty of a Class I felony.

947.015 History History: 1977 c. 173; 2001 a. 109.

947.015 Annotation This section is not an included crime in s. 941.30, recklessly endangering safety. State v. Van Ark, 62 Wis. 2d 155, 215 N.W.2d 41 (1974).

947.015 Annotation Read with the requirement that only “true threats” can be prosecuted, this section does not violate the guarantee of free speech. State v. Robert T., 2008 WI App 22, 307 Wis. 2d 488, 746 N.W.2d 564, 06-2206.

947.017 947.017 Threats to release chemical, biological, or radioactive substances.

947.017(1) (1) In this section:

947.017(1)(a) (a) “Biological agent” means a microorganism or an infectious substance, or any naturally occurring, bioengineered, or synthesized toxin or component of a microorganism or an infectious substance that is capable of causing death, disease, or other biological malfunction in humans.

947.017(1)(b) (b) “Harmful substance” means radioactive material that is harmful to human life, a toxic chemical or its precursor, or a biological agent.

947.017(1)(c) (c) “Microorganism” includes a bacterium, virus, fungus, rickettsia, or protozoan.

947.017(1)(d) (d) “Precursor” means any chemical reactant that takes part at any stage in the production by whatever method of a toxic chemical.

947.017(1)(e) (e) “Toxic chemical” means any chemical that through its chemical action on life processes can cause death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent harm to humans.

947.017(2) (2) Whoever, knowing the threat to be false, intentionally threatens to release or disseminate a harmful substance, if the threat induces a reasonable expectation or fear that the person will release or disseminate a harmful substance, is guilty of a Class I felony.

947.017 History History: 2003 a. 104.

947.019 947.019 Terrorist threats.

947.019(1) (1) Whoever, under any of the following circumstances, threatens to cause the death of or bodily harm to any person or to damage any person’s property is guilty of a Class I felony:

947.019(1)(a) (a) The actor intends to prevent the occupation of or cause the evacuation of a building, dwelling, school premises, vehicle, facility of public transportation, or place of public assembly or any room within a building, dwelling, or school premises.

947.019(1)(b) (b) The actor intends to cause public inconvenience.

947.019(1)(c) (c) The actor intends to cause public panic or fear.

947.019(1)(d) (d) The actor intends to cause an interruption or impairment of governmental operations or public communication, of transportation, or of a supply of water, gas, or other public service.

947.019(1)(e) (e) The actor creates an unreasonable and substantial risk of causing a result described in par. (a), (b), (c), or (d) and is aware of that risk.

947.019(2) (2) Any person who violates sub. (1) and thereby contributes to any individual’s death is guilty of a Class G felony.

947.019 History History: 2015 a. 311.