Ch. 973 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See definitions in s.
967.02.
973.01
973.01
Bifurcated sentence of imprisonment and extended supervision. 973.01(1)
(1)
Bifurcated sentence required. Except as provided in
sub. (3), whenever a court sentences a person to imprisonment in the Wisconsin state prisons for a felony committed on or after December 31, 1999, or a misdemeanor committed on or after February 1, 2003, the court shall impose a bifurcated sentence under this section.
973.01(2)
(2) Structure of bifurcated sentences. A bifurcated sentence is a sentence that consists of a term of confinement in prison followed by a term of extended supervision under
s. 302.113. The total length of a bifurcated sentence equals the length of the term of confinement in prison plus the length of the term of extended supervision. An order imposing a bifurcated sentence under this section shall comply with all of the following:
973.01(2)(a)
(a)
Total length of bifurcated sentence. Except as provided in
par. (c), the total length of the bifurcated sentence may not exceed the maximum period of imprisonment specified in
s. 939.50 (3), if the crime is a classified felony, or the maximum term of imprisonment provided by statute for the crime, if the crime is not a classified felony, plus additional imprisonment authorized by any applicable penalty enhancement statutes.
973.01(2)(b)
(b)
Confinement portion of bifurcated sentence. The portion of the bifurcated sentence that imposes a term of confinement in prison may not be less than one year and, except as provided in
par. (c), is subject to whichever of the following limits is applicable:
973.01(2)(b)1.
1. For a Class B felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 40 years.
973.01(2)(b)3.
3. For a Class C felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 25 years.
973.01(2)(b)4.
4. For a Class D felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 15 years.
973.01(2)(b)5.
5. For a Class E felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 10 years.
973.01(2)(b)6m.
6m. For a Class F felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 7 years and 6 months.
973.01(2)(b)7.
7. For a Class G felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 5 years.
973.01(2)(b)8.
8. For a Class H felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 3 years.
973.01(2)(b)9.
9. For a Class I felony, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed one year and 6 months.
973.01(2)(b)10.
10. For any crime other than one of the following, the term of confinement in prison may not exceed 75% of the total length of the bifurcated sentence:
973.01(2)(c)1.1. Subject to the minimum period of extended supervision required under
par. (d), the maximum term of confinement in prison specified in
par. (b) may be increased by any applicable penalty enhancement statute. If the maximum term of confinement in prison specified in
par. (b) is increased under this paragraph, the total length of the bifurcated sentence that may be imposed is increased by the same amount.
973.01(2)(c)2.
2. If more than one of the following penalty enhancement statutes apply to a crime, the court shall apply them in the order listed in calculating the maximum term of imprisonment for that crime:
973.01(2)(d)
(d)
Minimum and maximum term of extended supervision. The term of extended supervision may not be less than 25% of the length of the term of confinement in prison imposed under
par. (b) and, for a classified felony, is subject to whichever of the following limits is applicable:
973.01(2)(d)1.
1. For a Class B felony, the term of extended supervision may not exceed 20 years.
973.01(2)(d)2.
2. For a Class C felony, the term of extended supervision may not exceed 15 years.
973.01(2)(d)3.
3. For a Class D felony, the term of extended supervision may not exceed 10 years.
973.01(2)(d)4.
4. For a Class E, F, or G felony, the term of extended supervision may not exceed 5 years.
973.01(2)(d)5.
5. For a Class H felony, the term of extended supervision may not exceed 3 years.
973.01(2)(d)6.
6. For a Class I felony, the term of extended supervision may not exceed 2 years.
973.01(3)
(3) Not applicable to life sentences. If a person is being sentenced for a felony that is punishable by life imprisonment, he or she is not subject to this section but shall be sentenced under
s. 973.014 (1g).
973.01(3d)
(3d) Positive adjustment time eligibility. 973.01(3d)(a)(a) The department shall apply to every person serving a sentence imposed under
sub. (1) an objective risk assessment instrument supported by research to determine how likely it is that the person will commit another offense.
973.01(3d)(b)
(b) If the department of corrections determines under
par. (a) that the person poses a high risk of reoffending, the person shall be ineligible to earn positive adjustment time under
s. 302.113 (2) (b).
973.01(3g)
(3g) Earned release program eligibility. When imposing a bifurcated sentence under this section on a person convicted of a crime other than a crime specified in
ch. 940 or
s. 948.02,
948.025,
948.03,
948.05,
948.051,
948.055,
948.06,
948.07,
948.075,
948.08,
948.085, or
948.095, the court shall, as part of the exercise of its sentencing discretion, decide whether the person being sentenced is eligible or ineligible to participate in the earned release program under
s. 302.05 (3) during the term of confinement in prison portion of the bifurcated sentence.
973.01(3m)
(3m) Challenge incarceration program eligibility. When imposing a bifurcated sentence under this section on a person convicted of a crime other than a crime specified in
ch. 940 or
s. 948.02,
948.025,
948.03,
948.05,
948.051,
948.055,
948.06,
948.07,
948.075,
948.08,
948.085, or
948.095, the court shall, as part of the exercise of its sentencing discretion, decide whether the person being sentenced is eligible or ineligible for the challenge incarceration program under
s. 302.045 during the term of confinement in prison portion of the bifurcated sentence.
973.01(4m)
(4m) Discharge from extended supervision. 973.01(4m)(a)(a) The department may discharge a person from extended supervision after he or she has served 2 years of extended supervision if the person has met the conditions of extended supervision and the reduction is in the interests of justice. This subsection does not apply if the court sentences a person for a violation of
s. 940.03,
940.06,
940.11 (1),
940.235,
940.302,
940.31 (1),
940.32 (3),
941.21,
946.465,
948.03 (2) (a), or
948.40 (4) (a) or for an offense against an elderly or vulnerable person, as defined in
s. 939.22 (20d), an offense related to ethical government, as defined in
s. 939.22 (20m), or an offense related to school safety, as defined in
s. 939.22 (20s).
973.01(4m)(b)
(b) The department shall notify the victim of the person, as defined under
s. 950.02 (4) (a), of its intent to discharge the person from extended supervision.
973.01(4m)(c)
(c) The department may promulgate rules under
ch. 227 establishing guidelines and criteria for the exercise of discretion under this section.
973.01(5)
(5) Extended supervision conditions. Whenever the court imposes a bifurcated sentence under
sub. (1), the court may impose conditions upon the term of extended supervision.
973.01(6)
(6) No parole. A person serving a bifurcated sentence imposed under
sub. (1) is not eligible for release on parole under that sentence.
973.01(7)
(7) Discharge. The department of corrections shall discharge a person who is serving a bifurcated sentence from custody, control and supervision when the person has served the entire bifurcated sentence, as modified under
sub. (4m) or
s. 302.113 (2) (b) or
(9h),
302.1135, or
304.06 (1), if applicable.
973.01(8)(a)(a) When a court imposes a bifurcated sentence under this section it shall explain in writing all of the following to the person being sentenced:
973.01(8)(a)2.
2. The amount of time the person will serve in prison under the term of confinement in prison portion of the sentence.
973.01(8)(a)3.
3. The amount of time the person will spend on extended supervision, assuming that the person does not commit any act that results in the extension of the term of confinement in prison under
s. 302.113 (3).
973.01(8)(a)4.
4. That the amount of time the person must actually serve in prison may be extended as provided under
s. 302.113 (3) and that because of extensions under
s. 302.113 (3) the person could serve the entire bifurcated sentence in prison.
973.01(8)(a)5.
5. That the person will be subject to certain conditions while on release to extended supervision, and that violation of any of those conditions may result in the person being returned to prison, as provided under
s. 302.113 (9).
973.01(8)(ag)
(ag) If the court provides under
sub. (3g) that the person is eligible to participate in the earned release program under
s. 302.05 (3), the court shall also inform the person of the provisions of
s. 302.05 (3) (c).
973.01(8)(am)
(am) If the court provides under
sub. (3m) that the person is eligible for the challenge incarceration program, the court shall also inform the person of the provisions of
s. 302.045 (3m).
973.01(8)(b)
(b) The court's explanation under
par. (a) 3. of a person's potential period of extended supervision does not create a right to a minimum period of extended supervision.
973.01 Annotation
While an offender must meet the eligibility requirements of s. 302.045 (2) to participate in the challenge incarceration program, the trial court must, pursuant to sub. (3m), also determine if the offender is eligible for the program, in the exercise of its sentencing discretion. State v. Steele, 2001 WI App 160,
246 Wis. 2d 744,
632 N.W.2d 112,
00-2864.
973.01 Annotation
The exercise of sentencing discretion requires the court to exercise its discretion to create a sentence within the range provided by the legislature that reflects the circumstances of the situation and the particular characteristics of the offender. The court must consider the gravity of the offense, the offender's character and the public's need for protection. The weight given to any factor is left to the trial court's discretion. State v. Steele, 2001 WI App 160,
246 Wis. 2d 744,
632 N.W.2d 112,
00-2864.
973.01 Annotation
If a defendant makes a fraudulent representation to the court, which the court accepts and relies upon in granting a sentence, the court may later declare the sentence void, and double jeopardy does not bar a subsequently increased sentence. State v. Jones, 2002 WI App 208, 257 Wis. 2d. 163,
650 N.W.2d 844,
01-2969.
973.01 Annotation
A court may, in specific circumstances, consider credit for time spent in presentence custody as a factor in determining an appropriate sentence. Because the length of the defendant's presentence custody affected the time the defendant would actually spend in prison and the expected incarceration term impacted the circuit court's goal that the defendant receive sex offender treatment in an institutional setting while not remaining incarcerated longer than was necessary to receive treatment, presentence credit was appropriately considered. State v. Fenz, 2002 WI App 244,
258 Wis. 2d 281,
653 N.W.2d 280,
01-1434.
973.01 Annotation
Previously existing rules governing sentencing discretion are not unconstitutional when applied to sentences imposed under this section. State v. Gallion, 2002 WI App 265,
258 Wis. 2d 473,
653 N.W.2d 284,
01-0051.
973.01 Annotation
Sub. (2) (c) does not authorize a sentencing court to impose any portion of a penalty enhancer as extended supervision. State v. Volk, 2002 WI App 274,
258 Wis. 2d 584,
654 N.W.2d 479,
01-3342.
973.01 Annotation
Events subsequent to sentencing and relating to rehabilitation do not constitute a new sentencing factor justifying sentence modification. State v. Champion, 2002 WI App 267,
258 Wis. 2d 781,
654 N.W.2d 242,
01-1894.
973.01 Annotation
Despite the failure to object, a defendant may be entitled to resentencing if the sentence was affected by a trial court's reliance on an improper factor. State v. Groth, 2002 WI App 299,
258 Wis. 2d 889,
655 N.W.2d 163,
01-3000.
973.01 Annotation
When a statutory definition is available that provides a defendant with sufficient notice as to the expected course of conduct and an ascertainable standard for enforcement, the condition of extended supervision is not unconstitutionally vague. The definition of "dating relationship" in s. 813.12 (1) (ag) 1. provided the appellant an objective standard and adequate notice of when a condition applied that required her to introduce any person she was "dating" to her supervising agent. State v. Koenig, 2003 WI App 12,
259 Wis. 2d 833,
656 N.W.2d 499,
02-1076.
973.01 Annotation
Calculation of confinement and extended supervision for the presumptive minimum for unclassified felonies under this section prior to February 1, 2003 amendments are discussed. State v. Cole, 2003 WI 59,
262 Wis. 2d 167,
663 N.W.2d 700,
02-0681.
973.01 Annotation
Resentencing on convictions that remain intact after one or more counts in a multi-count case is vacated is not always required. When the vacated count does not affect the overall dispositional structure of the original sentence, resentencing on the remaining counts is unnecessary. State v. Church, 2003 WI 74,
262 Wis. 2d 678,
665 N.W.2d 141,
01-3100.
973.01 Annotation
Subs. (2) and (5) prohibit confinement in any facility as a condition of extended supervision. Absent express authority, a trial court cannot order confinement as a condition of extended supervision. State v. Larson, 2003 WI App 235,
268 Wis. 2d 162,
672 N.W.2d 322,
03-0019.
973.01 Annotation
A penalty enhancer under s. 939.62 is not subject to bifurcation, nor is it to be added to the underlying term of imprisonment. State v. Jackson 2004 WI 29,
270 Wis. 2d 113,
676 N.W.2d 872,
02-0947.
973.01 Annotation
Sub. (3m) allows a sentencing court to determine not only whether a defendant is eligible for the challenge incarceration program, but also to set a date of eligibility within the term of confinement in prison. State v. Lehman, 2004 WI App 59,
270 Wis. 2d 695,
677 N.W.2d 644,
03-1269.
973.01 Annotation
Requisite to a prima facie valid sentence is a statement by the trial judge detailing the reasons for selecting the particular sentence imposed. Circuit courts shall: 1) specify the objectives of the sentence on the record and identify the general objectives of greatest importance; 2) describe the facts relevant to those objectives and explain why the particular component parts of the sentence imposed advance the specified objectives; 3) identify the factors that were considered in arriving at the sentence and indicate how those factors fit the objectives and influence the decision. State v. Gallion, 2004 WI 42,
270 Wis. 2d 535,
678 N.W.2d 197,
01-0051.
973.01 Annotation
The sentence imposed shall call for the minimum amount of custody or confinement consistent with the protection of the public, the gravity of the offense, and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant. Probation should be the disposition unless confinement is necessary to protect the public, the offender needs correctional treatment available only in confinement, or it would unduly depreciate the seriousness of the offense. State v. Gallion, 2004 WI 42,
270 Wis. 2d 535,
678 N.W.2d 197,
01-0051.
973.01 Annotation
The good character of a victim killed as the result of a crime is relevant to sentencing, but the court should not attempt to measure the relative value of the victim's life. Although there may be circumstances in which the court could weigh the positive contributions and worth of the victim in assessing the harm caused by the crime, it does not follow that there is a right to have a court consider that a victim was a terrible burden on society. State v. Gallion, 2004 WI 42,
270 Wis. 2d 535,
678 N.W.2d 197,
01-0051.
973.01 Annotation
A court, after giving consideration to the relevant sentencing factors, may give disproportionate or controlling weight to a single factor. Balancing the factors is for the trial court. Ordering a lengthy term of supervision in order to enable the defendant to pay a sizeable restitution amount did not violate the right to equal protection. State v. Longmire, 2004 WI App 90,
272 Wis. 2d 759,
681 N.W.2d 354,
03-0300.
973.01 Annotation
The defendant's life expectancy, coupled with a lengthy sentence, while perhaps guaranteeing that the defendant will spend the balance of his or her life in prison, does not have to be taken into consideration by the circuit court. If the circuit court chooses to consider a defendant's life expectancy, it must explain, on the record, how the defendant's life expectancy fits into the sentencing objectives. State v. Stenzel, 2004 WI App 181,
276 Wis. 2d 224,
688 N.W.2d 224,
03-2974.
973.01 Annotation
Consistent with Lehman, sub. (3g) allows a sentencing court to determine whether a defendant is eligible for the earned release program and to set a date of eligibility within the term of confinement in prison. State v. White, 2004 WI App 237,
277 Wis. 2d 580,
690 N.W.2d 880,
04-1211.
973.01 Annotation
A defendant's age is a secondary factor that the trial court may, but is not required to, consider in fashioning an appropriate sentence. The trial court, if it considers age, determines whether it should carry any weight. State v. Davis, 2005 WI App 98,
281 Wis. 2d 118,
698 N.W.2d 823,
04-1163.
973.01 Annotation
A condition of extended supervision need not directly relate to the defendant's criminal conduct in the underlying conviction. Trial courts are granted broad discretion in determining conditions necessary for extended supervision subject only to a standard of reasonableness and appropriateness determined by how well the condition serves the dual goals of supervision: 1) rehabilitation of the defendant, and 2) protection of a state or community interest. A condition of extended supervision that the defendant maintain his child support payments was reasonable and appropriate. State v. Miller, 2005 WI App 114,
283 Wis. 2d 465,
701 N.W.2d 47,
04-1406.
973.01 Annotation
A condition of extended supervision and probation that the defendant have no contact with the drug community was not unconstitutionally overbroad or vague. When the trial court specifically told the defendant not be around any person when, or be in any place where, drugs are being possessed, used, or sold, the condition was clear and gave fair notice of what a drug community is. State v. Trigueros, 2005 WI App 112,
282 Wis. 2d 445,
701 N.W.2d 54,
04-1701.
973.01 Annotation
When a person is being sentenced after revocation of extended supervision, discretion can exist without an explicit delineation of the McCleary sentencing factors: 1) the gravity of the offense; (2) the character of the offender; and (3) the need to protect the public. There must be an indication that the court considered those factors. State v. Jones, 2005 WI App 259,
288 Wis. 2d 475,
707 N.W.2d 876,
05-0018.
973.01 Annotation
A defendant who requests resentencing due to the circuit court's use of inaccurate information at the sentencing hearing must show both that the information was inaccurate and that there was actual reliance, not prejudicial reliance, on the inaccurate information by the court in the sentencing. Once actual reliance on inaccurate information is shown, the burden then shifts to the state to prove the error was harmless. State v. Tiepelman, 2006 WI 66,
291 Wis. 2d 179,
717 N.W.2d 1,
04-0914.
973.01 Annotation
Gallion does not require that the trial court explain why it imposed three years as opposed to one or two. State v. Klubertanz, 2006 WI App 71,
291 Wis. 2d 751,
713 N.W.2d 116,
05-1256.
973.01 Annotation
That test of whether the statutory language is capable of being understood by reasonably well-informed persons in two or more different ways is adopted for sentence construction disputes. As it looks for legislative intent when faced with an ambiguous statute, the appellate court should look for the trial court's sentencing intent when faced with an ambiguous oral sentencing pronouncement. The appellate court is required to determine the trial court's sentencing intent from other parts of the record, including the judgment of conviction. Without more, the bald recital of a consecutive sentence in the judgment of conviction is insufficient to overcome the presumption of a concurrent sentence. State v. Oglesby, 2006 WI App 95,
292 Wis. 2d 716,
715 N.W.2d 727,
05-1565.
973.01 Annotation
Sub. (5) does not require a sentencing court to make an ability-to-pay determination when the court orders a contribution payment as a condition of extended supervision. Neither the requirement that an ability-to-pay determination be made when a contribution surcharge is taxed against a defendant under s. 973.06 (1) or when a contribution surcharge is imposed as a condition of probation under s. 973.09 (1x) applies to sub. (5). State v. Galvan, 2007 WI App 173,
304 Wis. 2d 466,
736 N.W.2d 890,
06-2052.
973.01 Annotation
A fine that an offender has the ability to pay may satisfy sentencing objectives the trial court has found to be material and relevant to the particular defendant. A trial court is not required to explain the reason for a specific amount of a fine, but some explanation of why the court imposes a fine is required. If the sentencing court intends to impose a fine, the court must determine at the time of sentencing whether a defendant has the ability to pay a fine during the total sentence. The standard for imposing a fine, which is part of the punishment, should require no less consideration of the defendant's ability to pay than is required as part of an order of restitution. State v. Ramel, 2007 WI App 271,
306 Wis. 2d 654,
743 N.W.2d 502,
07-0355.
973.01 Annotation
A defendant has a due process right to be sentenced based on accurate information. State v. Payette, 2008 WI App 106,
313 Wis. 2d 39,
756 N.W.2d 423,
07-1192.
973.01 Annotation
The circuit court had the authority to order the defendant to reimburse his mother for forfeited bail his mother paid, either as restitution or as a condition of extended supervision. State v. Agosto, 2008 WI App 149,
314 Wis. 2d 385,
760 N.W.2d 415,
06-2646.
