Badger Lawyer's Property Chapter Listing
Click on a crime to see the statute and any comments the Badger might have.
943.11. Entry into locked vehicle
943.14. Criminal trespass to dwellings
943.01. Damage to property
943.011. Damage or threat to property of witness
943.012. Criminal damage to or graffiti on religious and other property
943.013. Criminal damage; threat; property of judge
943.014. Demolition of historic building without authorization
943.015. Criminal damage; threat; property of department of revenue employee
943.017. Graffiti
943.02. Arson of buildings; damage of property by explosives
943.03. Arson of property other than building
943.04. Arson with intent to defraud
943.05. Placing of combustible materials an attempt
943.06. Molotov cocktails
943.07. Criminal damage to railroads
943.10. Burglary
943.11. Entry into locked vehicle
943.12. Possession of burglarious tools
943.125. Entry into locked coin box
943.13. Trespass to land
943.14. Criminal trespass to dwellings
943.145. Criminal trespass to a medical facility
943.15. Entry onto a construction site or into a locked building, dwelling or room
943.20. Theft
943.201. Unauthorized use of an individual's personal identifying information or documents
943.203. Unauthorized use of an entity's identifying information or documents
943.205. Theft of trade secrets
943.207. Transfer of recorded sounds for unlawful use
943.208. Recording performance without consent of performance owner
943.209. Failure to disclose manufacturer of recording
943.21. Fraud on hotel or restaurant keeper, recreational attraction, taxicab operator, or gas station
943.215. Absconding without paying rent
943.22. Use of cheating tokens
943.225. Refusal to pay for a motor bus ride
943.23. Operating vehicle without owner's consent
943.24. Issue of worthless check
943.26. Removing or damaging encumbered real property
943.27. Possession of records of certain usurious loans
943.28. Loan sharking prohibited
943.30. Threats to injure or accuse of crime
943.31. Threats to communicate derogatory information
943.32. Robbery
943.34. Receiving stolen property
943.37. Alteration of property identification marks
943.38. Forgery
943.39. Fraudulent writings
943.395. Fraudulent insurance and employee benefit program claims
943.40. Fraudulent destruction of certain writings
943.41. Financial transaction card crimes
943.45. Theft of telecommunications service
943.455. Theft of commercial mobile service
943.46. Theft of video service
943.47. Theft of satellite cable programming
943.49. Unlawful use of recording device in motion picture theater
943.50. Retail theft
943.51. Retail theft; civil liability
943.55. Removal of shopping cart
943.60. Criminal slander of title
943.61. Theft of library material
943.62. Unlawful receipt of payments to obtain loan for another
943.70. Computer crimes
943.74. Theft of farm-raised fish
943.75. Unauthorized release of animals
943.76. Infecting animals with a contagious disease
943.81. Theft from a financial institution
943.82. Fraud against a financial institution
943.83. Loan fraud
943.84. Transfer of encumbered property
943.85. Bribery involving a financial institution
943.86. Extortion against a financial institution
943.87. Robbery of a financial institution
943.88. Organizer of financial crimes
943.89. Mail fraud
943.90. Wire fraud against a financial institution
(1) Whoever intentionally causes damage to any physical property of another without the person's consent is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Under certain circumstances, including high dollar damage, damage to jurors, damage Criminal Damage can be a felony.
943.011. Damage or threat to property of witness
Whoever intentionally causes damage or threatens to cause damage to any physical property owned by a person who is or was a witness, a family member of a witness, or a person sharing a common domicile with a witness, by reason of the owner or witness having attended or testified as a witness and without the owner's consent is guilty of a Class I felony.
943.012. Criminal damage to or graffiti on religious and other property
Whoever intentionally causes damage to, intentionally marks, draws or writes with ink or another substance on or intentionally etches into any physical property of another, without the person's consent and with knowledge of the character of the property, is guilty of a Class I felony if the property consists of one or more of the following:
(1) Any church, synagogue or other building, structure or place primarily used for religious worship or another religious purpose.
(2) Any cemetery, mortuary or other facility used for burial or memorializing the dead.
(3) Any school, educational facility or community center publicly identified as associated with a group of persons of a particular race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry or by an institution of any such group.
(4) Any personal property contained in any property under subs. (1) to (3) if the personal property has particular significance or value to any group of persons of a particular race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry and the actor knows the personal property has particular significance or value to that group.
943.013. Criminal damage; threat; property of judge
Whoever intentionally causes or threatens to cause damage to any physical property that belongs to a judge or his or her family under all of the following circumstances is guilty of a Class I felony.
943.014. Demolition of historic building without authorization
Whoever intentionally demolishes a historic building without a permit issued by a city, village, town or county or without an order is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
943.015. Criminal damage; threat; property of department of revenue employee
Whoever intentionally causes or threatens to cause damage to any physical property which belongs to a department of revenue official, employee or agent or his or her family member is guilty of a Class I felony.
Whoever intentionally marks, draws or writes with paint, ink or another substance on or intentionally etches into the physical property of another without the other person's consent is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Under certain circumstances this crime can be increased to a felony, depending on things like the amount of damage, the nature of the property damaged, and so on.
943.02. Arson of buildings; damage of property by explosives
Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class C felony:
(a) By means of fire, intentionally damages any building of another without the other's consent; or
(b) By means of fire, intentionally damages any building with intent to defraud an insurer of that building; or
(c) By means of explosives, intentionally damages any property of another without the other's consent.
943.03. Arson of property other than building
Whoever, by means of fire, intentionally damages any property of another without the person's consent, if the property is not a building and has a value of $100 or more, is guilty of a Class I felony.
943.04. Arson with intent to defraud
Whoever, by means of fire, damages any property, other than a building, with intent to defraud an insurer of that property is guilty of a Class H felony. Proof that the actor recovered or attempted to recover on a policy of insurance by reason of the fire is relevant but not essential to establish the actor's intent to defraud the insurer.
943.05. Placing of combustible materials an attempt
Whoever places any combustible or explosive material or device in or near any property with intent to set fire to or blow up such property is guilty of an attempt to violate either s. 943.01, 943.012, 943.013, 943.02, 943.03 or 943.04, depending on the facts of the particular case.
Whoever possesses, manufactures, sells, offers for sale, gives or transfers a fire bomb is guilty of a Class H felony.
943.07. Criminal damage to railroads
Whoever intentionally causes damage or who causes another person to damage, tamper, change or destroy any railroad track, switch, bridge, trestle, tunnel or signal or any railroad property used in providing rail services, which could cause an injury, accident or derailment is guilty of a Class I felony.
Whoever intentionally shoots a firearm at any portion of a railroad train, car, caboose or engine is guilty of a Class I felony.
Whoever intentionally throws, shoots or propels any stone, brick or other missile at any railroad train, car, caboose or engine is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
Whoever intentionally throws or deposits any type of debris or waste material on or along any railroad track or right-of-way which could cause an injury or accident is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
Whoever intentionally enters any of the following places without the consent of the person in lawful possession and with intent to steal or commit a felony in such place is guilty of a Class F felony:
- Any building or dwelling; or
- An enclosed railroad car; or
- An enclosed portion of any ship or vessel; or
- A locked enclosed cargo portion of a truck or trailer; or
- A motor home or other motorized type of home or a trailer home, whether or not any person is living in any such home; or
- A room within any of the above.
- The person is armed (or becomes armed) with a dangerous weapon.
- While the person is in the burglarized enclosure, he uses explosives.
- While the person is in the burglarized enclosure, he commits a battery.
- The burglarized enclosure is a dwelling, boat, or motor home and another person is lawfully present at the time of the violation.
943.11. Entry into locked vehicle
Whoever intentionally enters the locked and enclosed portion or compartment of the vehicle of another without consent and with intent to steal therefrom is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
943.12. Possession of burglarious tools
Whoever has in personal possession any device or instrumentality intended, designed or adapted for use in breaking into any depository designed for the safekeeping of any valuables or into any building or room, with intent to use such device or instrumentality to break into a depository, building or room, and to steal therefrom, is guilty of a Class I felony.
943.125. Entry into locked coin box
Whoever intentionally enters a locked coin box or possesses any device or instrumentality intended, designed or adapted for use in breaking into any coin box, with intent to steal is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Whoever does any of the following is subject to a Class B forfeiture:
- Enters any enclosed, cultivated or undeveloped land of another without the express or implied consent of the owner or occupant.
- Enters any land of another that is occupied by a structure used for agricultural purposes without the express or implied consent of the owner or occupant.
- Enters or remains on any land of another after having been notified by the owner or occupant not to enter or remain on the premises.
- Enters or remains on open land that is an inholding of another after having been notified by the owner or occupant not to enter or remain on the land.
- Enters undeveloped private land from an abutting parcel of land that is owned by the United States, this state or a local governmental unit, or remains on such land, after having been notified by the owner or occupant not to enter or remain on the land.
- Whether the owner or occupant acquiesced to previous entries by the person or by other persons under similar circumstances.
- The customary use, if any, of the land by other persons.
- Whether the owner or occupant represented to the public that the land may be entered for particular purposes.
- The general arrangement or design of any improvements or structures on the land.
943.14. Criminal trespass to dwellings
Whoever intentionally enters the dwelling of another without the consent of some person lawfully upon the premises, under circumstances tending to create or provoke a breach of the peace, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
943.145. Criminal trespass to a medical facility
Whoever intentionally enters a medical facility without the consent of some person lawfully upon the premises, under circumstances tending to create or provoke a breach of the peace, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
943.15. Entry onto a construction site or into a locked building, dwelling or room
Whoever enters the locked or posted construction site or the locked and enclosed building, dwelling or room of another without the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of the premises is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Whoever does any of the following may be penalized for theft:
(a) Intentionally takes and carries away, uses, transfers, conceals, or retains possession of movable property of another without the other's consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of such property.
(b) By virtue of his or her office, business or employment, or as trustee or bailee, having possession or custody of money or of a negotiable security, instrument, paper or other negotiable writing of another, intentionally uses, transfers, conceals, or retains possession of such money, security, instrument, paper or writing without the owner's consent, contrary to his or her authority, and with intent to convert to his or her own use or to the use of any other person except the owner. A refusal to deliver any money or a negotiable security, instrument, paper or other negotiable writing, which is in his or her possession or custody by virtue of his or her office, business or employment, or as trustee or bailee, upon demand of the person entitled to receive it, or as required by law, is prima facie evidence of an intent to convert to his or her own use within the meaning of this paragraph.
(c) Having a legal interest in movable property, intentionally and without consent, takes such property out of the possession of a pledgee or other person having a superior right of possession, with intent thereby to deprive the pledgee or other person permanently of the possession of such property.
(d) Obtains title to property of another person by intentionally deceiving the person with a false representation which is known to be false, made with intent to defraud, and which does defraud the person to whom it is made. "False representation" includes a promise made with intent not to perform it if it is a part of a false and fraudulent scheme.
(e) Intentionally fails to return any personal property which is in his or her possession or under his or her control by virtue of a written lease or written rental agreement after the lease or rental agreement has expired. This paragraph does not apply to a person who returns personal property, except a motor vehicle, which is in his or her possession or under his or her control by virtue of a written lease or written rental agreement, within 10 days after the lease or rental agreement expires.
"Value" means the market value at the time of the theft or the cost to the victim of replacing the property within a reasonable time after the theft, whichever is less.
Penalties:
| Value | Crime |
| does not exceed $2, 500 | Class A misdemeanor |
| $2,500 - $5,000 | Class I felony |
| $5,000 - $10,000 | Class H felony |
| exceeds $10,000 | Class G felony |
If any of the following circumstances exists, is guilty of a Class H felony:
- The property is a domestic animal.
- The property is taken from a building which has been destroyed or left unoccupied because of physical disaster, riot, bombing or the proximity of battle.
- The property is taken after physical disaster, riot, bombing or the proximity of battle has necessitated its removal from a building.
- The property is a firearm.
- The property is taken from an individual at risk.
943.201. Unauthorized use of an individual's personal identifying information or documents
Whoever intentionally uses, attempts to use, or possesses with intent to use any personal identifying information or personal identification document of an individual without the authorization or consent of the individual and by representing that he or she is the individual, that he or she is acting with the authorization or consent of the individual, or that the information or document belongs to him or her is guilty of a Class H felony.
943.203. Unauthorized use of an entity's identifying information or documents
Whoever intentionally uses, attempts to use, or possesses with intent to use any identifying information or identification document of an entity without the authorization or consent of the entity and by representing that the person is the entity or is acting with the authorization or consent of the entity is guilty of a Class H felony.
943.205. Theft of trade secrets
Whoever with intent to deprive or withhold from the owner thereof the control of a trade secret, or with intent to appropriate a trade secret to his or her own use or the use of another not the owner, and without authority of the owner is guilty of a class I felony.
943.207. Transfer of recorded sounds for unlawful use
Whoever intentionally transfers, advertises, offers for sale or rent, sells, transports, rents or possesses, without the consent of the owner, any sounds first embodied in or on a recording before February 15, 1972, with intent to sell or rent the recording onto which such sounds are transferred for commercial advantage or private financial gain is guilty of a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the number of copies and their total value.
This section applies to transferring or selling recordings on the Internet.
943.208. Recording performance without consent of performance owner
Whoever creates, advertises, offers for sale or rent, sells, rents or transports, or possesses with intent to do any of these, a recording of a performance without consent of the performance owner and with intent to sell or rent the recording, is guilty of a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the number of copies, their total value, and whether the person has prior convictions.
943.209. Failure to disclose manufacturer of recording
Whoever knowingly advertises, offers for sale or rent, sells, rents, transports or possesses with intent to do any of these, a recording that does not contain the name and address of the manufacturer in a prominent place on the cover, jacket or label of the recording for commercial advantage or private financial gain is guilty of a misdemeanor or felony depending on the number of copies, their total value, and whether the person has prior convictions.
943.21. Fraud on hotel or restaurant keeper, recreational attraction, taxicab operator, or gas station
Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the severity of the offense and the amount stolen:
(a) Having obtained any beverage, food, lodging, ticket or other means of admission, or other service or accommodation at any campground, hotel, motel, boarding or lodging house, restaurant, or recreational attraction, intentionally absconds without paying for it.
(b) While a guest at any campground, hotel, motel, boarding or lodging house, or restaurant, intentionally defrauds the keeper thereof in any transaction arising out of the relationship as guest.
(c) Having obtained any transportation service from a taxicab operator, intentionally absconds without paying for the service.
(d) Having obtained gasoline or diesel fuel from a service station, garage, or other place where gasoline or diesel fuel is sold at retail or offered for sale at retail, intentionally absconds without paying for the gasoline or diesel fuel.
Repeat offenders may also have their driver’s licenses revoked.
The business also is authorized to sue you for their damages.
943.215. Absconding without paying rent
It is a class A misdemeanor to move out of your apartment without paying the rent, unless you lef enough security deposit to cover it.
943.22. Use of cheating tokens
Whoever obtains the property or services of another by depositing anything which he or she knows is not lawful money or an authorized token in any receptacle used for the deposit of coins or tokens is subject to a Class C forfeiture.
943.225. Refusal to pay for a motor bus ride
Whoever intentionally enters a motor bus that transports persons for hire and refuses to pay, without delay, upon demand of the operator or other person in charge of the motor bus, the prescribed transportation fare is subject to a Class E forfeiture.
943.23. Operating vehicle without owner's consent
"Drive" means the exercise of physical control over the speed and direction of a vehicle while it is in motion.
"Operate" includes the physical manipulation or activation of any of the controls of a vehicle necessary to put it in motion.
[Carjacking]
Whoever, while possessing a dangerous weapon and by the use of, or the threat of the use of, force or the weapon against another, intentionally takes any vehicle without the consent of the owner is guilty of a Class C felony.
[Car Theft]
Whoever intentionally takes and drives any vehicle without the consent of the owner is guilty of a Class H felony.
[Joyriding]
Whoever intentionally drives or operates any vehicle without the consent of the owner is guilty of a Class I felony. If the defendant abandoned the vehicle without damage within 24 hours after the vehicle was taken from the possession of the owner., it’s a Class A misdemeanor.
Whoever knows that the owner does not consent to the driving or operation of a vehicle and intentionally accompanies, as a passenger in the vehicle, a person committing one of the above crimes is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Whoever intentionally removes a major part of a vehicle without the consent of the owner is guilty of a Class I felony. Whoever intentionally removes any other part or component of a vehicle without the consent of the owner is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
943.24. Issue of worthless check
Whoever issues any check or other order for the payment of not more than $2,500 which, at the time of issuance, he or she intends shall not be paid is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Whoever issues any single check or other order for the payment of more than $2,500 or whoever within a 90-day period issues more than one check or other order amounting in the aggregate to more than $2,500 which, at the time of issuance, the person intends shall not be paid is guilty of a Class I felony.
You can also be sued by the business.
943.26. Removing or damaging encumbered real property
(1) Any mortgagor of real property or vendee under a land contract who, without the consent of the mortgagee or vendor, intentionally removes or damages the real property so as to substantially impair the mortgagee's or vendor's security is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) If the security is impaired by more than $1,000, the mortgagor or vendee is guilty of a Class I felony.
943.27. Possession of records of certain usurious loans
Any person who knowingly possesses any writing representing or constituting a record of a charge of, contract for, receipt of or demand for a rate of interest or consideration exceeding $20 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan, use or forbearance of money, goods or things in action or upon the loan, use or sale of credit is, if the rate is prohibited by a law other than this section, guilty of a Class I felony.
943.28. Loan sharking prohibited
Whoever makes any extortionate extension of credit, or conspires to do so, if one or more of the parties to the conspiracy does an act to effect its object, is guilty of a Class F felony.
Whoever advances money or property, whether as a gift, as a loan, as an investment, pursuant to a partnership or profit-sharing agreement, or otherwise, for the purpose of making extortionate extensions of credit, is guilty of a Class F felony.
Whoever knowingly participates in any way in the use of any extortionate means to collect or attempt to collect any extension of credit, or to punish any person for the nonrepayment thereof, is guilty of a Class F felony.
An extortionate extension of credit is any extension of credit with respect to which it is the understanding of the creditor and the debtor at the time it is made that delay in making repayment or failure to make repayment could result in the use of violence or other criminal means to cause harm to the person, reputation or property of any person.
943.30. Threats to injure or accuse of crime
Whoever, either verbally or by any written or printed communication, maliciously threatens to accuse or accuses another of any crime or offense, or threatens or commits any injury to the person, property, business, profession, calling or trade, or the profits and income of any business, profession, calling or trade of another, with intent thereby to extort money or any pecuniary advantage whatever, or with intent to compel the person so threatened to do any act against the person's will or omit to do any lawful act, is guilty of a Class H felony.This includes obstructing, delaying or affecting commerce or business or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce or business, attempting to influence any petit or grand juror, in the performance of his or her functions, attempting to influence the official action of any public officer
Whoever, orally or by any written or printed communication, maliciously uses, or threatens to use, the patient health care records of another person, with intent thereby to extort money or any pecuniary advantage, or with intent to compel the person so threatened to do any act against the person's will or omit to do any lawful act, is guilty of a Class H felony.
943.31. Threats to communicate derogatory information
Whoever threatens to communicate to anyone information, whether true or false, which would injure the reputation of the threatened person or another unless the threatened person transfers property to a person known not to be entitled to it is guilty of a Class I felony.
Whoever, with intent to steal, takes property from the person or presence of the owner by either of the following means is guilty of a Class E felony:
- By using force against the person of the owner with intent thereby to overcome his or her physical resistance or physical power of resistance to the taking or carrying away of the property; or
- By threatening the imminent use of force against the person of the owner or of another who is present with intent thereby to compel the owner to acquiesce in the taking or carrying away of the property.
943.34. Receiving stolen property
Except as provided under s. 948.62, whoever intentionally receives or conceals stolen property is guilty of:
- A Class A misdemeanor, if the value of the property does not exceed $2,500.
- A Class I felony, if the value of the property exceeds $2,500 but does not exceed $5,000.
- A Class H felony, if the value of the property exceeds $5,000 but does not exceed $10,000.
- A Class G felony, if the value of the property exceeds $10,000.
943.37. Alteration of property identification marks
Whoever does any of the following with intent to prevent the identification of the property involved is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:
(1) Alters or removes any identification mark on any log or other lumber without the consent of the owner; or
(2) Alters or removes any identification mark from any receptacle used by the manufacturer of any beverage; or
(3) Alters or removes any manufacturer's identification number on personal property or possesses any personal property with knowledge that the manufacturer's identification number has been removed or altered. Possession of 2 or more similar items of personal property with the manufacturer's identification number altered or removed is prima facie evidence of knowledge of the alteration or removal and of an intent to prevent identification of the property.
(4) Alters or removes livestock brands from any animal without the owner's consent, or possesses any livestock with knowledge that the brand has been altered or removed without the owner's knowledge or consent.
Whoever with intent to defraud falsely makes or alters a writing or object of any of the following kinds so that it purports to have been made by another, or at another time, or with different provisions, or by authority of one who did not give such authority, is guilty of a Class H felony:
(a) A writing or object whereby legal rights or obligations are created, terminated or transferred, or any writing commonly relied upon in business or commercial transactions as evidence of debt or property rights; or
(b) A public record or a certified or authenticated copy thereof; or
(c) An official authentication or certification of a copy of a public record; or
(d) An official return or certificate entitled to be received as evidence of its contents.
Use of such objects is also a class H felony.
Whoever, with intent to defraud, does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:
(a) Falsely makes or alters any object so that it appears to have value because of antiquity, rarity, source or authorship which it does not possess; or possesses any such object knowing it to have been thus falsely made or altered and with intent to transfer it as original and genuine, by sale or for security purposes; or
(b) Falsely makes or alters any writing of a kind commonly relied upon for the purpose of identification or recommendation; or
(c) Without consent, places upon any merchandise an identifying label or stamp which is or purports to be that of another craftsman, tradesman, packer or manufacturer; or
(d) Falsely makes or alters a membership card purporting to be that of a fraternal, business or professional association or of a labor union; or possesses any such card knowing it to have been thus falsely made or altered and with intent to use it or cause or permit its use to deceive another; or
(e) Falsely makes or alters any writing purporting to evidence a right to transportation on any common carrier; or
(f) Falsely makes or alters a certified abstract of title to real estate, a title insurance commitment, a title insurance policy, or any other written evidence regarding the state of title to real estate.
Whoever, with intent to injure or defraud, does any of the following is guilty of a Class H felony:
(1) Being a director, officer, manager, agent or employee of any corporation or limited liability company falsifies any record, account or other document belonging to that corporation or limited liability company by alteration, false entry or omission, or makes, circulates or publishes any written statement regarding the corporation or limited liability company which he or she knows is false; or
(2) By means of deceit obtains a signature to a writing which is the subject of forgery; or
(3) Makes a false written statement with knowledge that it is false and with intent that it shall ultimately appear to have been signed under oath.
943.395. Fraudulent insurance and employee benefit program claims
Whoever, knowing it to be false or fraudulent, does any of the following is guilty of a felony or misdemeanor depending on the value of the fraud.
(a) Presents or causes to be presented a false or fraudulent claim, or any proof in support of such claim, to be paid under any contract or certificate of insurance; or
(b) Prepares, makes or subscribes to a false or fraudulent account, certificate, affidavit, proof of loss or other document or writing, with knowledge that the same may be presented or used in support of a claim for payment under a policy of insurance.
(c) Presents or causes to be presented a false or fraudulent claim or benefit application, or any false or fraudulent proof in support of such a claim or benefit application, or false or fraudulent information which would affect a future claim or benefit application, to be paid under any employee benefit program created by ch. 40.
(d) Makes any misrepresentation in or with reference to any application for membership or documentary or other proof for the purpose of obtaining membership in or noninsurance benefit from any fraternal subject to chs. 600 to 646, for himself or herself or any other person.
943.40. Fraudulent destruction of certain writings
Whoever with intent to defraud does either of the following is guilty of a Class H felony:
(1) Destroys or mutilates any corporate books of account or records; or
(2) Completely erases, obliterates or destroys any writing which is the subject of forgery.
943.41. Financial transaction card crimes
False statements. No person shall make any false statements in writing, knowing it to be false and with intent that it be relied upon, respecting the person's identity or that of any other person or the person's financial for the purpose of procuring the issuance of a financial transaction card. (Credit or Debit card).
Theft by taking card. No person shall acquire a financial transaction card from another without the cardholder's consent or, with knowledge that it has been so acquired, receive the financial transaction card with intent to use it or sell it or to transfer it to a person other than the issuer.
No person shall receive a financial transaction card that the person knows to have been lost, mislaid, or delivered under a mistake as to the identity or address of the cardholder, and retain possession thereof with intent to sell it, or to transfer it to a person other than the issuer or the cardholder, or to use it. The possession of such a financial transaction card for more than 7 days by a person other than the issuer or the cardholder is evidence that such person intended to sell, transfer or use it.
No person other than the issuer shall sell a financial transaction card. No person shall buy a financial transaction card from a person other than the issuer.
No person shall, with intent to defraud the issuer, a person or organization providing money, goods, services or anything else of value, or any other person, obtain control over a financial transaction card as security for debt.
No person other than the issuer may receive a financial transaction card issued in the name of another person
Forgery of financial transaction card. No person shall alter or counterfeit a financial transaction or possess a financial transaction card with knowledge that it has been altered or counterfeited.
No person other than the cardholder or a person authorized by the cardholder shall sign a financial transaction card.
Fraudulent use. No person shall use a financial transaction card which the person knows is forged, expired or revoked; or obtain money, goods, services or anything else of value by representing that the person is the holder of a specified card or by representing that the person is the holder of a card and such card has not in fact been issued.
No cardholder shall use a financial transaction card issued to the cardholder or allow another person to use a financial transaction card issued to the cardholder with intent to defraud the issuer, a person or organization providing money, goods, services or anything else of value or any other person.
Penalties. Violation of these laws ranges from Class A misdemeanor to Class G felony.
943.45. Theft of telecommunications service
No person may intentionally obtain or attempt to obtain telecommunications service by any of the following means:
(a) Charging such service to an existing telephone number or credit card number without the consent of the subscriber thereto or the legitimate holder thereof.
(b) Charging such service to a false, fictitious, suspended, terminated, expired, canceled or revoked telephone number or credit card number.
(c) Rearranging, tampering with or making connection with any facilities or equipment.
(d) Using a code, prearranged scheme, or other stratagem or device whereby said person in effect sends or receives information.
(e) Using any other contrivance, device or means to avoid payment of the lawful charges, in whole or in part, for such service.
Violations range from a Class B forfeiture (fine) Class I felony.
943.455. Theft of commercial mobile service
(2) Prohibitions. No person may intentionally do any of the following:
(a) Obtain commercial mobile service from a company by trick or other fraudulent means.
(b) Give technical assistance or instruction to any person in obtaining or attempting to obtain any commercial mobile service without payment.
(c) Maintain an ability to connect with any facilities used for the transmission of commercial mobile services.
(d) Make or maintain any modification or alteration to any device installed with the authorization of a company for the purpose of obtaining any service offered by that company which that person is not authorized by that company to obtain.
(e) Possess without authority any device designed to receive from a company any services offered for sale by that company.
(f) Manufacture, import into this state, distribute, publish, advertise, sell, lease or offer for sale or lease any device designed to receive commercial mobile services offered for sale by a company, with the intent that that device be used for obtaining a company's services without payment.
(4) Penalties. Range from a Class C forfeiture to a Class I felony.
943.46. Theft of video service
Prohibitions. No person may intentionally do any of the following:
Obtain or attempt to obtain video service from a provider by trick or other fraudulent means.
Give technical assistance or instruction to any person in obtaining or attempting to obtain any video service without payment.
Make or maintain a connection with any cables, wires, components or other devices used for the distribution of video services for the purpose of distributing video service to any other dwelling unit without authority from a video service provider.
Make or maintain a connection with any cables, wires, components or other devices used for the distribution of video services for the purpose of obtaining video service without payment of all lawful compensation to the provider providing that service.
Make or maintain any modification or alteration to any device installed with the authorization of a video service provider for the purpose of intercepting or receiving any program or other service carried by that provider which that person is not authorized by that provider to receive.
Possess without authority any device or printed circuit board designed to receive from a video service network any video programming or services offered for sale over that video service network with the intent that that device be used to receive that video service provider's services without payment.
Manufacture, import into this state, distribute, publish, advertise, sell, lease or offer for sale or lease any device designed to receive the video programming or services offered for sale over a video service network from a video service network with the intent that that device be used for the reception of that provider's services without payment.
(4) Penalties. Class C forfeiture to a Class I felony.
943.47. Theft of satellite cable programming
Prohibitions. No person may decode encrypted satellite cable programming without authority.
Criminal penalties. Class C forfeiture to Class I felony.
943.49. Unlawful use of recording device in motion picture theater
Use of recording device in movie theater. No person may operate a recording device in a motion picture theater without written consent from the theater owner or a person authorized by the theater owner to provide written consent. This is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class I felony if the person has prior convictions.
Detention of person committing violation. A theater owner who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has violated this section may detain the person to deliver the person to a peace officer.
A person may be penalized as provided if he does any of the following:
(a) Intentionally alters indicia of price or value of merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of a merchant.
(b) Intentionally takes and carries away merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of a merchant.
(c) Intentionally transfers merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of a merchant.
(d) Intentionally conceals merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of a merchant.
(e) Intentionally retains possession of merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of a merchant.
(f) While anywhere in the merchant's store, intentionally removes a theft detection device from merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of a merchant.
(g) Uses, or possesses with intent to use, a theft detection shielding device to shield merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of merchant from being detected by an electronic or magnetic theft alarm sensor.
(h) Uses, or possesses with intent to use, a theft detection device remover to remove a theft detection device from merchandise held for resale by a merchant or property of a merchant.
A merchant who has reasonable cause for believing that a person has violated this section in his presence may detain the person to deliver the person to a peace officer.
Whoever violates this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor to a Class G felony, depending on the value of the items stolen.
943.51. Retail theft; civil liability
(1) Any person who incurs injury to his or her business or property as a result of a violation of s. 943.50 may bring a civil action against any individual who caused the loss for all of the following:
(a) The retail value of the merchandise unless it is returned undamaged and unused. A person may recover under this paragraph only if he or she exercises due diligence in demanding the return of the merchandise immediately after he or she discovers the loss and the identity of the person who has the merchandise.
(b) Any actual damages not covered under par. (a).
(2) In addition to sub. (1), if the person who incurs the loss prevails, the judgment in the action may grant any of the following:
(a)1. Except as provided in subd. 1m, exemplary damages of not more than 3 times the amount under sub. (1).
1m. If the action is brought against a minor or against the parent who has custody of their minor child for the loss caused by the minor, the exemplary damages may not exceed 2 times the amount under sub. (1).
2. No additional proof is required for an award of exemplary damages under this paragraph.
(b) Notwithstanding the limitations of s. 799.25 or 814.04, all actual costs of the action, including reasonable attorney fees.
(3) Notwithstanding sub. (2) and except as provided in sub. (3m), the total amount awarded for exemplary damages and reasonable attorney fees may not exceed $500 for each violation.
(3m) Notwithstanding sub. (2), the total amount awarded for exemplary damages and reasonable attorney fees may not exceed $300 for each violation if the action is brought against a minor or against the parent who has custody of their minor child for the loss caused by the minor.
(3r) Any recovery under this section shall be reduced by the amount recovered as restitution for the same act under ss. 800.093 and 973.20 or as recompense under s. 969.13(5)(a) for the same act.
(4) The plaintiff has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation occurred under s. 943.50. A conviction under s. 943.50 is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment or collecting that judgment under this section.
(5) A person is not criminally liable under s. 943.30 for any civil action brought in good faith under this section.
(6) Nothing in this section precludes a plaintiff from bringing the action under ch. 799 if the amount claimed is within the jurisdictional limits of s. 799.01(1)(d).
943.55. Removal of shopping cart
Whoever intentionally removes a shopping cart or stroller from either the shopping area or a parking area adjacent to the shopping area to another place without authorization of the owner shall forfeit an amount not to exceed $500 for each shopping cart or stroller so removed.
943.60. Criminal slander of title
Any person who submits for filing, entering or recording any lien, claim of lien, lis pendens, writ of attachment, financing statement or any other instrument relating to a security interest in or title to real or personal property, and who knows or should have known that the contents or any part of the contents of the instrument are false, a sham or frivolous, is guilty of a Class H felony.
943.61. Theft of library material
Whoever intentionally takes and carries away, transfers, conceals or retains possession of any library material without the consent of a library official, agent or employee and with intent to deprive the library of possession of the material may be penalized.
Whoever violates this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, if the value of the library materials does not exceed $2,500 and a Class H felony, if the value of the library materials exceeds $2,500.
943.62. Unlawful receipt of payments to obtain loan for another
No person may receive a payment from a customer as an advance fee, salary, deposit or money for the purpose of obtaining a loan or a lease of personal property for the customer unless the payment is immediately placed in escrow subject to the condition that the escrow agent shall deliver the payment to the person only upon satisfactory proof of the closing of the loan or execution of the lease within a period of time agreed upon in writing between the person and the customer; otherwise the payment shall be returned to the customer immediately upon expiration of the time period.
Whoever violates this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, if the value of the advance payment or required refund, as applicable, does not exceed $2,500, and a Class F felony, if the value of the advance payment or required refund, as applicable, exceeds $2,500.
Offenses against computer data and programs. Whoever willfully, knowingly and without authorization does any of the following may be penalized:
1. Modifies data, computer programs or supporting documentation.
2. Destroys data, computer programs or supporting documentation.
3. Accesses computer programs or supporting documentation.
4. Takes possession of data, computer programs or supporting documentation.
5. Copies data, computer programs or supporting documentation.
6. Discloses restricted access codes or other restricted access information to unauthorized persons.
Whoever intentionally causes an interruption in service by submitting a message, or multiple messages, to a computer, computer program, computer system, or computer network that exceeds the processing capacity of the computer, computer program, computer system, or computer network may be penalized.
Whoever violates this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor a Class F depending on the circumstances.
(3) Offenses against computers, computer equipment or supplies. Whoever willfully, knowingly and without authorization does any of the following may be penalized:
1. Modifies computer equipment or supplies that are used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system or computer network.
2. Destroys, uses, takes or damages a computer, computer system, computer network or equipment or supplies used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system or computer network.
Whoever violates this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor a Class F depending on the circumstances.
943.74. Theft of farm-raised fish
Fishermen Beware:
No person may intentionally take and carry away, transfer, conceal, or retain possession of farm-raised fish of another without the other's consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of the farm-raised fish.
First offense is a Class A misdemeanor. After that, it’s a very serious Class D felony.
943.75. Unauthorized release of animals
Whoever intentionally releases an animal that is lawfully confined is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor to a Class H felony depending on the circumstances.
943.76. Infecting animals with a contagious disease
Whoever intentionally introduces a contagious or infectious disease into livestock without the consent of the owner of the livestock is guilty of a Class F felony.
Whoever intentionally introduces a contagious or infectious disease into wild deer without the consent of the department of natural resources is guilty of a Class F felony.
Whoever, through reckless conduct, introduces a contagious or infectious disease other than paratuberculosis into livestock without the consent of the owner of the livestock is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Whoever, through reckless conduct, introduces a contagious or infectious disease other than paratuberculosis into wild deer without the consent of the department of natural resources is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
943.81. Theft from a financial institution
Whoever knowingly uses, transfers, conceals, or takes possession of money, funds, credits, securities, assets, or property owned by or under the custody or control of a financial institution without authorization from the financial institution and with intent to convert it to his or her own use or to the use of any person other than the owner or financial institution may be penalized.
943.82. Fraud against a financial institution
Whoever obtains money, funds, credits, assets, securities, or other property owned by or under the custody or control of a financial institution by means of false pretenses, representations, or promises, or by use of any fraudulent device, scheme, artifice, or monetary instrument may be penalized.
Whoever falsely represents that he or she is a financial institution or a representative of a financial institution for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, or services from any person or for the purpose of obtaining or recording a person's personal identifying information is guilty of Class H felony.
Whoever with intent to defraud a financial institution knowingly overvalues or makes a false statement concerning any land, security, or other property for the purpose of influencing the financial institution to take or defer any action in connection with a loan or loan application may be penalized.
943.84. Transfer of encumbered property
Whoever, with intent to defraud, conveys real property which he or she knows is encumbered, without informing the grantee of the existence of the encumbrance may be penalized.
Whoever, with intent to defraud, does any of the following may be penalized:
(a) Conceals, removes or transfers any personal property in which he or she knows another has a security interest; or
(b) In violation of the security agreement, fails or refuses to pay over to the secured party the proceeds from the sale of property subject to a security interest.
943.85. Bribery involving a financial institution
Whoever, with intent to defraud a financial institution, confers, offers, or agrees to confer a benefit on an employee, agent, or fiduciary of the financial institution without the consent of the financial institution and with intent to influence the employee's, agent's, or fiduciary's conduct in relation to the affairs of the institution is guilty of a Class H felony.
Any employee, agent, or fiduciary of a financial institution who without the consent of the financial institution and with intent to defraud the financial institution solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept any benefit from another person pursuant to an agreement that the employee, agent, or fiduciary will act in a certain manner in relation to the affairs of the financial institution is guilty of a Class H felony.
943.86. Extortion against a financial institution
Whoever for the purpose of obtaining money, funds, credits, securities, assets, or property owned by or under the custody or control of a financial institution threatens to cause bodily harm to an owner, employee, or agent of a financial institution or to cause damage to property owned by or under the custody or control of the financial institution is guilty of a Class H felony.
943.87. Robbery of a financial institution
Whoever by use of force or threat to use imminent force takes from an individual or in the presence of an individual money or property that is owned by or under the custody or control of a financial institution is guilty of Class C felony.
943.88. Organizer of financial crimes
Whoever commits 3 or more financial crimes within an 18-month period is guilty of a Class E felony if all of the following conditions apply:
(1) Each of the crimes is committed in concert with a person whom the actor supervises, organizes, finances, or manages. The person need not be the same for each of the crimes.
(2) At least one of the crimes is committed on or after April 11, 2006.
Whoever does any of the following to further commission of a financial crime or to sell, dispose of, loan, exchange, alter, give away, distribute, supply, furnish, or procure for an unlawful purpose any counterfeit currency, obligation, or security is guilty of a Class H felony:
(1) Deposits or causes any matter to be deposited in a United States post office or authorized depository for United States mail.
(2) Deposits or causes to be deposited any matter or thing to be sent or delivered by a commercial carrier.
(3) Takes or receives any matter or a thing sent or delivered by United States mail or by a commercial carrier.
943.90. Wire fraud against a financial institution
Whoever transmits or causes to be transmitted electrically, electromagnetically, or by light any signal, writing, image, sound, or data for the purpose of committing a financial crime is guilty of a Class H felony.
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