Chapter 885

885.15(1) (1) No person may be excused from attending, testifying or producing books, papers, and documents before any court in a prosecution under s. 134.05 on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence required of him or her may tend to incriminate him or her, or to subject him or her to a penalty or forfeiture. No person who testifies or produces evidence in obedience to the command of the court in the prosecution may be liable to any suit or prosecution, civil or criminal, for or on account of testifying or producing evidence; provided, that no person may be exempted from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.

885.15(2) (2) The immunity provided under sub. (1) is subject to the restrictions under s. 972.085.

885.15 History History: 1989 a. 122.

885.205 885.205 Privileged communications. No dean of men, dean of women or dean of students at any institution of higher education in this state, or any school psychologist at any school in this state, shall be allowed to disclose communications made to such dean or psychologist or advice given by such dean or psychologist in the course of counseling a student, or in the course of investigating the conduct of a student enrolled at such university or school, except:

885.205(1) (1) This prohibition may be waived by the student.

885.205(2) (2) This prohibition does not include communications which such dean needs to divulge for the dean’s own protection, or the protection of those with whom the dean deals, or which were made to the dean for the express purpose of being communicated to another, or of being made public.

885.205(3) (3) This prohibition does not extend to a criminal case when such dean has been regularly subpoenaed to testify.

885.205 History History: 1993 a. 486.

885.23 885.23 Genetic tests in civil actions. Whenever it is relevant in a civil action to determine the parentage or identity of any child, person or corpse, the court, by order, shall direct any party to the action and any person involved in the controversy to submit to one or more genetic tests as provided in s. 767.84. The results of the tests shall be receivable as evidence in any case where exclusion from parentage is established or where a probability of parentage is shown to exist. Whenever the court orders the genetic tests and one of the parties refuses to submit to the tests that fact shall be disclosed upon trial.

885.23 History History: 1979 c. 352; 1995 a. 100; 2005 a. 443 s. 265.

885.23 Annotation Section 767.80 (1) does not permit a man alleging he is the father to bring a paternity action for the sole purpose of establishing paternity of a stillborn so that he may bring a wrongful death action. The proper vehicle for determining parentage is a motion by the father under this section for a determination of parentage within the pending wrongful death action. Shannon E.T. v. Alicia M.V.M., 2007 WI 29, 299 Wis. 2d 601, 728 N.W.2d 636, 05-0077.

885.235 885.235 Chemical tests for intoxication.

885.235(1) (1) In this section:

885.235(1)(a) (a) “Alcohol concentration” means the number of grams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of a person’s blood or the number of grams of alcohol in 210 liters of a person’s breath.

885.235(1)(b) (b) “Controlled substance” has the meaning specified in s. 961.01 (4).

885.235(1)(bd) (bd) “Controlled substance analog” has the meaning given in s. 961.01 (4m).

885.235(1)(c) (c) “Drug” has the meaning specified in s. 450.01 (10).

885.235(1)(d) (d) “Restricted controlled substance” means any of the following:

885.235(1)(d)1. 1. A controlled substance included in schedule I under ch. 961 other than a tetrahydrocannabinol.

885.235(1)(d)1m. 1m. The heroin metabolite 6-monoacetylmorphine.

885.235(1)(d)2. 2. A controlled substance analog, as defined in s. 961.01 (4m), of a controlled substance described in subd. 1.

885.235(1)(d)3. 3. Cocaine or any of its metabolites.

885.235(1)(d)4. 4. Methamphetamine.

885.235(1)(d)5. 5. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, excluding its precursors or metabolites, at a concentration of one or more nanograms per milliliter of a person’s blood.

885.235(1g) (1g) In any action or proceeding in which it is material to prove that a person was under the influence of an intoxicant or had a prohibited alcohol concentration or a specified alcohol concentration while operating or driving a motor vehicle or, if the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, on duty time, while operating a motorboat, except a sailboat operating under sail alone, while operating a snowmobile, while operating an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle or while handling a firearm, evidence of the amount of alcohol in the person’s blood at the time in question, as shown by chemical analysis of a sample of the person’s blood or urine or evidence of the amount of alcohol in the person’s breath, is admissible on the issue of whether he or she was under the influence of an intoxicant or had a prohibited alcohol concentration or a specified alcohol concentration if the sample was taken within 3 hours after the event to be proved. The chemical analysis shall be given effect as follows without requiring any expert testimony as to its effect:

885.235(1g)(a) (a) The fact that the analysis shows that the person had an alcohol concentration of more than 0.0 but less than 0.08 is relevant evidence on the issue of being under the combined influence of alcohol and a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog or any other drug, but, except as provided in par. (d) or sub. (1m), is not to be given any prima facie effect.

885.235(1g)(b) (b) Except with respect to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle as provided in par. (d), the fact that the analysis shows that the person had an alcohol concentration of more than 0.04 but less than 0.08 is relevant evidence on the issue of intoxication or an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more but is not to be given any prima facie effect.

885.235(1g)(c) (c) The fact that the analysis shows that the person had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more is prima facie evidence that he or she was under the influence of an intoxicant and is prima facie evidence that he or she had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

885.235(1g)(d) (d) The fact that the analysis shows that the person had an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more is prima facie evidence that he or she was under the influence of an intoxicant with respect to operation of a commercial motor vehicle and is prima facie evidence that he or she had an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more.

885.235(1k) (1k) In any action or proceeding in which it is material to prove that a person had a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood while operating or driving a motor vehicle or, if the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, on duty time, while operating a motorboat, except a sailboat operating under sail alone, while operating a snowmobile, while operating an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle, or while handling a firearm, if a chemical analysis of a sample of the person’s blood shows that the person had a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood, the court shall treat the analysis as prima facie evidence on the issue of the person having a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood without requiring any expert testimony as to its effect.

885.235(1m) (1m) In any action under s. 23.33 (4c) (a) 3., 23.335 (12) (a) 3., 30.681 (1) (bn), 346.63 (2m) or (7), or 350.101 (1) (c), evidence of the amount of alcohol in the person’s blood at the time in question, as shown by chemical analysis of a sample of the person’s blood or urine or evidence of the amount of alcohol in the person’s breath, is admissible on the issue of whether he or she had an alcohol concentration in the range specified in s. 23.33 (4c) (a) 3., 23.335 (12) (a) 3., 30.681 (1) (bn), 346.63 (2m), or 350.101 (1) (c) or an alcohol concentration above 0.0 under s. 346.63 (7) if the sample was taken within 3 hours after the event to be proved. The fact that the analysis shows that the person had an alcohol concentration of more than 0.0 but not more than 0.08 is prima facie evidence that the person had an alcohol concentration in the range specified in s. 23.33 (4c) (a) 3., 23.335 (12) (a) 3., 30.681 (1) (bn), 346.63 (2m), or 350.101 (1) (c) or an alcohol concentration above 0.0 under s. 346.63 (7).

885.235(2) (2) The concentration of alcohol in the blood shall be taken prima facie to be three-fourths of the concentration of alcohol in the urine.

885.235(3) (3) If the sample of breath, blood or urine was not taken within 3 hours after the event to be proved, evidence of the amount of alcohol in the person’s blood or breath as shown by the chemical analysis is admissible only if expert testimony establishes its probative value and may be given prima facie effect only if the effect is established by expert testimony.

885.235(4) (4) The provisions of this section relating to the admissibility of chemical tests for alcohol concentration or intoxication or for determining whether a person had a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood shall not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing on the question of whether or not a person was under the influence of an intoxicant, had a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood, had a specified alcohol concentration, or had an alcohol concentration in the range specified in s. 23.33 (4c) (a) 3., 23.335 (12) (a) 3., 30.681 (1) (bn), 346.63 (2m), or 350.101 (1) (c).

885.235(5) (5) Notwithstanding sub. (4), in any action or proceeding for a violation of s. 23.33 (4c) (a) 2m. or (b) 2m., 23.335 (12) (a) 2m. or (b) 2m., 30.681 (1) (b) 1m. or (2) (b) 1m., 346.63 (1) (am) or (2) (a) 3., 350.101 (1) (bm) or (2) (bm), 940.09 (1) (am) or (cm) or (1g) (am) or (cm), 940.25 (1) (am) or (cm), or 941.20 (1) (bm), the only form of chemical analysis of a sample of human biological material that is admissible as evidence bearing on the question of whether or not the person had delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol at a concentration of one or more nanograms per milliliter of the person’s blood is a chemical analysis of a sample of the person’s blood.

885.235 History History: 1971 c. 40; 1973 c. 102; 1981 c. 20, 184; 1983 a. 74, 459; 1985 a. 146 s. 8; 1985 a. 331, 337; 1987 a. 3, 399; 1989 a. 105; 1991 a. 277; 1995 a. 436, 448; 1997 a. 35, 198; 2003 a. 30, 97; 2005 a. 8; 2011 a. 208; 2015 a. 170, 332; 2019 a. 68.

885.235 Annotation A blood sample taken under s. 346.71 (2) and forwarded to the Department of Transportation is admissible in evidence. Luedtke v. Shedivy, 51 Wis. 2d 110, 186 N.W.2d 220 (1971).

885.235 Annotation Administration of a blood or breath test does not violate a defendant’s privilege against self-incrimination. State v. Driver, 59 Wis. 2d 35, 207 N.W.2d 850 (1973).

885.235 Annotation When blood alcohol content is tested under statutory procedures, results of the test are mandatorily admissible. The physical sample tested is not evidence intended, required, or even susceptible of being produced by the state under s. 971.23 (4) and (5). State v. Ehlen, 119 Wis. 2d 451, 351 N.W.2d 503 (1984).

885.235 Annotation Failure to timely notify a person of the right to an alternative blood test for intoxication does not affect the presumption of validity for a properly given blood test and is not grounds for suppressing the test results. County of Dane v. Granum, 203 Wis. 2d 252, 551 N.W.2d 859 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-3470.

885.237 885.237 Presumptions as to operation and registration of motor vehicle.

885.237(1) (1) The fact that a motor vehicle is located on a highway, as defined in s. 340.01 (22), is prima facie evidence, for purposes of ch. 341, that the motor vehicle has been operated on a highway by the owner.

885.237(2) (2) Notwithstanding s. 341.04, the fact that an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less is located on a highway, as defined in s. 340.01 (22), and is not displaying valid registration plates, a temporary operation plate or other evidence of registration as provided under s. 341.18 (1) is prima facie evidence, for purposes of ch. 341, that the vehicle is an unregistered or improperly registered vehicle. This subsection does not apply to violations of ordinances enacted under s. 341.65, but this subsection does apply to violations of ordinances enacted under s. 341.65, 2003 stats.

885.237 History History: 1991 a. 233; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 80; 2005 a. 185.

885.24 885.24 Actions for public moneys, immunity.

885.24(1) (1) No witness or party in an action brought upon the bond of a public officer, or in an action by the state or any municipality to recover public money received by or deposited with the defendant, or in any action, proceeding or examination, instituted by or in behalf of the state or any municipality, involving the official conduct of any officer thereof, may be excused from testifying on the ground that his or her testimony may expose him or her to prosecution for any crime or forfeiture. No person may be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of testifying or producing evidence, documentary or otherwise, in the action, proceeding or examination, except a prosecution for perjury committed in giving the testimony.

885.24(2) (2) The immunity provided under sub. (1) is subject to the restrictions under s. 972.085.

885.24 History History: 1989 a. 122.

885.25 885.25 State actions vs. corporations or limited liability companies.

885.25(1) (1) No corporation or limited liability company shall be excused from producing books, papers, tariffs, contracts, agreements, records, files or documents, in its possession, or under its control, in obedience to the subpoena of any court or officer authorized to issue subpoenas, in any civil action which is now or hereafter may be pending, brought by the state against it to recover license fees, taxes, penalties or forfeitures, or to enforce forfeitures, on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of it, may subject it to a penalty or forfeiture, or be excused from making a true answer under oath, by and through its properly authorized officer or agent, when required by law to make such answer to any pleading in any such civil action upon any such ground or for such reason.

885.25(2) (2) No officer, clerk, agent, employee or servant of any corporation or limited liability company in any such action may be excused from attending or testifying or from producing books, papers, tariffs, contracts, agreements, records, files or documents, in his or her possession or under his or her control, in obedience to the subpoena of any court in which any such civil action is pending or before any officer or court empowered or authorized to take deposition or testimony in any such action, in obedience to the subpoena of the officer or court, or of any officer or court empowered to issue a subpoena in that behalf, on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of him or her, may tend to incriminate him or her or subject him or her to a penalty or a forfeiture, but no such officer, clerk, agent, employee or servant shall be prosecuted, or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture, for or on account of testifying or producing evidence, documentary or otherwise, before the court or officer, or any court or officer empowered to issue subpoena in that behalf, or in any such case or proceeding except a prosecution for perjury or false swearing in giving the testimony.

885.25(2m) (2m) The immunity provided under sub. (2) is subject to the restrictions under s. 972.085.

885.25(3) (3) In case of the failure or neglect of any corporation or limited liability company, or of any such officer, clerk, agent, employee or servant, to produce any such book, paper, tariff, contract, agreement, record, file or document, secondary evidence of the contents of any or either of the same may be given, and such secondary evidence shall be of the same force and effect as the original.

885.25 History History: 1989 a. 122; 1993 a. 112.

885.25 Annotation Since the immunity that attaches under sub. (2) or s. 77.61 (12) is merely coextensive with a defendant’s rights against self-incrimination, which does not attach to the records of a corporation, a defendant’s claim of immunity for delivering corporate records has no merit. State v. Alioto, 64 Wis. 2d 354, 219 N.W.2d 585 (1974).

885.285 885.285 Settlement and advance payment of claim for damages.

885.285(1) (1) No admission of liability shall be inferred from the following:

885.285(1)(a) (a) A settlement with or any payment made to an injured person, or to another on behalf of any injured person, or any person entitled to recover damages on account of injury or death of such person; or

885.285(1)(b) (b) A settlement with or any payment made to a person or on the person’s behalf to another for injury to or destruction of property.

885.285(2) (2) Any settlement or payment under sub. (1) is not admissible in any legal action unless pleaded as a defense.

885.285(3) (3) Any settlement or advance payment under sub. (1) shall be credited against any final settlement or judgment between the parties. Upon motion to the court in the absence of the jury and on submission of proper proof prior to entry of judgment on a verdict, the court shall apply the provisions of s. 895.045 and then shall reduce the amount of the damages so determined by the amount of the payments made. Any rights of contribution between joint tort-feasors shall be determined on the amount of the verdict prior to reduction because of a settlement or advance payment.

885.285(4) (4) The period fixed for the limitation for the commencement of actions shall be as provided by s. 893.12.

885.285 History History: 1975 c. 327, 421; 1979 c. 323.

885.285 Annotation A property payment under sub. (1) extends the limitation under s. 893.12, but only if made within the three-year limit of s. 893.54 (1). Abraham v. Milwaukee Mutual Insurance Co., 115 Wis. 2d 678, 341 N.W.2d 414 (Ct. App. 1983).

885.285 Annotation To be a payment under this section that will toll or extend the statute of limitations, the payment must be related to fault or liability. Gurney v. Heritage Mutual Insurance Co., 188 Wis. 2d 68, 523 N.W.2d 193 (Ct. App. 1994).

885.285 Annotation The waiver by the defendant medical provider in a medical malpractice action of the copayment portion of the amount due for the plaintiff’s medical treatment did not constitute a payment under this section or s. 893.12. Young v. Aurora Medical Center of Washington County, Inc., 2004 WI App 71, 272 Wis. 2d 300, 679 N.W.2d 549, 03-0224.

885.335 885.335 Actions concerning real estate abutting Great Lakes water.

885.335(1) (1) No claim or counterclaim may be made in an action relating to the possession or title of any real estate if the claim or counterclaim is based on an assertion that the property includes portions of land that may have at one time been submerged beneath a Great Lakes water if any of the following apply:

885.335(1)(a) (a) The property is upland, as defined in s. 30.2039 (1) (f), and the use of the property has not materially changed, as defined in s. 30.2039 (4).

885.335(1)(b) (b) The property was designated as land held in fee title ownership by a determination made under s. 30.2039 (2) (d) that establishes the boundary between land held in trust by the state and land held in fee title ownership.

885.335(1)(c) (c) The property is held in fee title ownership as determined under s. 30.2039 (3).

885.335(1)(d) (d) The use of the property is approved under s. 30.2034.

885.335(2) (2) This section does not apply to administrative and judicial review of decisions of the department of natural resources under s. 30.2034 or 30.2039 or ch. 227.

885.335 History History: 2023 a. 247.

885.365 885.365 Recorded telephone conversation.

885.365(1) (1) Evidence obtained as the result of the use of voice recording equipment for recording of telephone conversations, by way of interception of a communication or in any other manner, shall be totally inadmissible in the courts of this state in civil actions, except as provided in ss. 968.28 to 968.37.

885.365(2) (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply where:

885.365(2)(a) (a) Such recording is made in a manner other than by interception and the person whose conversation is being recorded is informed at that time that the conversation is being recorded and that any evidence thereby obtained may be used in a court of law; or such recording is made through a recorder connector provided by the telecommunications utility as defined in s. 196.01 (10) or a telecommunications carrier as defined in s. 196.01 (8m) in accordance with its tariffs and which automatically produces a distinctive recorder tone that is repeated at intervals of approximately 15 seconds;

885.365(2)(b) (b) The recording is made by a telecommunications utility as defined in s. 196.01 (10), a telecommunications carrier as defined in s. 196.01 (8m) or its officers or employees for the purpose of or incident to the construction, maintenance, conduct or operation of the services and facilities of such public utilities, or to the normal use by such public utilities of the services and facilities furnished to the public by such public utility; or

885.365(2)(c) (c) The recording is made by a fire department or law enforcement agency to determine violations of, and in the enforcement of, s. 941.13.

885.365 History History: 1971 c. 40 s. 93; 1977 c. 173 s. 168; 1985 a. 297; 1987 a. 399; 1993 a. 496.

885.37 885.37 Interpreters in municipal courts and administrative agency contested cases.

885.37(1) (1) If a municipal court has notice that a person who is a juvenile or parent subject to ch. 938, or who is a witness in a proceeding under ch. 938, has a language difficulty because of the inability to speak or understand English, has a hearing impairment, is unable to speak or has a speech defect, the court shall make a factual determination of whether the language difficulty or the hearing or speaking impairment is sufficient to prevent the individual from communicating with his or her attorney, reasonably understanding the English testimony or reasonably being understood in English. If the court determines that an interpreter is necessary, the court shall advise the person that he or she has a right to a qualified interpreter and that, if the person cannot afford one, an interpreter will be provided for him or her at the public’s expense. Any waiver of the right to an interpreter is effective only if made voluntarily in person, in open court and on the record.

885.37(2) (2) A municipal court may authorize the use of an interpreter in actions or proceedings in addition to those specified in sub. (1).

885.37(3) (3) 

885.37(3)(a) (a) In this subsection:

885.37(3)(a)1. 1. “Agency” includes any official, employee or person acting on behalf of an agency.

885.37(3)(a)2. 2. “Contested case” means a proceeding before an agency in which, after a hearing required by law, substantial interests of any party to the proceeding are determined or adversely affected by a decision or order in the proceeding and in which the assertion by one party of any such substantial interest is denied or controverted by another party to the proceeding.

885.37(3)(b) (b) In any administrative contested case proceeding before a state, county or municipal agency, if the agency conducting the proceeding has notice that a party to the proceeding has a language difficulty because of the inability to speak or understand English, has a hearing impairment, is unable to speak or has a speech defect, the agency shall make a factual determination of whether the language difficulty or hearing or speaking impairment is sufficient to prevent the party from communicating with others, reasonably understanding the English testimony or reasonably being understood in English. If the agency determines that an interpreter is necessary, the agency shall advise the party that he or she has a right to a qualified interpreter. After considering the party’s ability to pay and the other needs of the party, the agency may provide for an interpreter for the party at the public’s expense. Any waiver of the right to an interpreter is effective only if made at the administrative contested case proceeding.