Chapter 947

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.

947.016 947.016 Threatening to cause bodily harm. A person who threatens to cause bodily harm to another without the consent of the person threatened is guilty of a Class H felony if any of the following is true:

947.016(1) (1) Certain individuals involved with a court or legal system. The person threatens the person or family member of any current or former judge, prosecutor, law enforcement officer, guardian ad litem, corporation counsel, advocate, attorney, witness, or grand or petit juror, or a person sharing a common domicile with a witness, knowing the person’s status as an individual involved with a court or legal system, because of or in response to any action taken by the person in an official capacity or in a legal proceeding.

947.016(2) (2) Probation, extended supervision, and parole agents, community supervision agents, and aftercare agents and their family members. The person threatens the person or family member of a probation, extended supervision, or parole agent, a community supervision agent, or an aftercare agent under all of the following circumstances:

947.016(2)(a) (a) At the time of the threat, the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a probation, extended supervision, or parole agent, a community supervision agent, or an aftercare agent, or a member of the agent’s family.

947.016(2)(b) (b) The threat is in response to any action taken by the agent acting in an official capacity.

947.016(3) (3) Health care providers and staff and their family members. The person threatens a health care provider or a person who works in a health care facility or a family member of a health care provider or a person who works in a health care facility under all of the following circumstances:

947.016(3)(a) (a) At the time of the threat, the person knows or should have known that the victim works or formerly worked in a health care facility or is a family member of the person who works or formerly worked in a health care facility.

947.016(3)(b) (b) The threat is in response to an action occurring at the health care facility or an action by an official, employee, or agent of the health care facility acting in his or her official capacity.

947.016(4) (4) Department of revenue, department of safety and professional services, and department of workforce development employees and their family members. The person threatens the person or family member of any department of revenue, department of safety and professional services, or department of workforce development official, employee, or agent under all of the following circumstances:

947.016(4)(a) (a) At the time of the threat, the person knows or should have known that the victim is a department official, employee, or agent or a member of his or her family.

947.016(4)(b) (b) The official, employee, or agent is acting in an official capacity at the time of the threat, or the threat is in response to any action taken in an official capacity.

947.016 History History: 2025 a. 24, 26.

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.

947.02 947.02 Vagrancy. Any of the following are vagrants and are guilty of a Class C misdemeanor:

947.02(1) (1) A person, with the physical ability to work, who is without lawful means of support and does not seek employment; or

947.02(3) (3) A prostitute who loiters on the streets or in a place where intoxicating liquors are sold, or a person who, in public, solicits another to commit a crime against sexual morality; or

947.02(4) (4) A person known to be a professional gambler or known as a frequenter of gambling places or who derives part of his or her support from begging or as a fortune teller or similar impostor.

947.02 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1993 a. 486; 1999 a. 83.