Chapter 940

940.19 940.19 Battery; substantial battery; aggravated battery.

940.19(1) (1) Whoever causes bodily harm to another by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that person or another without the consent of the person so harmed is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

940.19(2) (2) Whoever causes substantial bodily harm to another by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that person or another is guilty of a Class I felony.

940.19(4) (4) Whoever causes great bodily harm to another by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that person or another is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.19(5) (5) Whoever causes great bodily harm to another by an act done with intent to cause great bodily harm to that person or another is guilty of a Class E felony.

940.19(6) (6) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to another by conduct that creates a substantial risk of great bodily harm is guilty of a Class H felony. A rebuttable presumption of conduct creating a substantial risk of great bodily harm arises if the person harmed has a physical disability, whether congenital or acquired by accident, injury or disease, that is discernible by an ordinary person viewing the physically disabled person, or that is actually known by the actor.

940.19 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1979 c. 111, 113; 1987 a. 399; 1993 a. 441, 483; 2001 a. 109; 2021 a. 76.

940.19 Annotation Under the “elements only” test, offenses under subsections that require proof of nonconsent are not lesser included offenses of offenses under subsections for which proof of nonconsent is not required. State v. Richards, 123 Wis. 2d 1, 365 N.W.2d 7 (1985).

940.19 Annotation Discussing “physical disability.” State v. Crowley, 143 Wis. 2d 324, 422 N.W.2d 847 (1988).

940.19 Annotation First-degree reckless injury, s. 940.23 (1), is not a lesser included offense of aggravated battery. State v. Eastman, 185 Wis. 2d 405, 518 N.W.2d 257 (Ct. App. 1994).

940.19 Annotation The act of throwing urine that strikes another and causes pain constitutes a battery. State v. Higgs, 230 Wis. 2d 1, 601 N.W.2d 653 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-1811.

940.19 Annotation Section 941.20 (1), first-degree recklessly endangering safety, is not a lesser included offense of sub. (5), aggravated battery. State v. Dibble, 2002 WI App 219, 257 Wis. 2d. 274, 650 N.W.2d 908, 02-0538.

940.195 940.195 Battery to an unborn child; substantial battery to an unborn child; aggravated battery to an unborn child.

940.195(1) (1) Whoever causes bodily harm to an unborn child by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that unborn child, to the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or another is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

940.195(2) (2) Whoever causes substantial bodily harm to an unborn child by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that unborn child, to the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or another is guilty of a Class I felony.

940.195(4) (4) Whoever causes great bodily harm to an unborn child by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that unborn child, to the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or another is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.195(5) (5) Whoever causes great bodily harm to an unborn child by an act done with intent to cause great bodily harm to that unborn child, to the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or another is guilty of a Class E felony.

940.195(6) (6) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to an unborn child by conduct that creates a substantial risk of great bodily harm is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.195 History History: 1997 a. 295; 2001 a. 109.

940.198 940.198 Physical abuse of an elder person.

940.198(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

940.198(1)(a) (a) “Elder person” means any individual who is 60 years of age or older.

940.198(1)(b) (b) “Recklessly” means conduct that creates a situation of unreasonable risk of harm to and demonstrates a conscious disregard for the safety of the elder person.

940.198(2) (2) Intentional causation of bodily harm.

940.198(2)(a) (a) Whoever intentionally causes great bodily harm to an elder person is guilty of a Class C felony.

940.198(2)(b) (b) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to an elder person is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.198(2)(c) (c) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to an elder person under circumstances or conditions that are likely to produce great bodily harm is guilty of a Class F felony.

940.198(3) (3) Reckless causation of bodily harm.

940.198(3)(a) (a) Whoever recklessly causes great bodily harm to an elder person is guilty of a Class E felony.

940.198(3)(b) (b) Whoever recklessly causes bodily harm to an elder person is guilty of a Class I felony.

940.198(3)(c) (c) Whoever recklessly causes bodily harm to an elder person under circumstances or conditions that are likely to produce great bodily harm is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.198(4) (4) Knowledge of age not required. This section applies irrespective of whether the defendant had actual knowledge of the victim’s age. A mistake regarding the victim’s age is not a defense to a prosecution under this section.

940.198 History History: 2021 a. 76.

940.20 940.20 Battery: special circumstances.

940.20(1) (1) Battery by prisoners. Any prisoner confined to a state prison or other state, county, or municipal detention facility who intentionally causes bodily harm or a soft tissue injury, as defined in s. 946.41 (2) (c), to an officer, employee, visitor, or another inmate of such prison or institution, without his or her consent, is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.20(1g) (1g) Battery by certain detained or committed persons. Any person who is placed in a facility under s. 980.04 or 980.065 and who intentionally causes bodily harm to an officer, employee, agent, visitor, or other resident of the facility, without his or her consent, is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.20(1m) (1m) Battery by persons subject to certain injunctions.

940.20(1m)(a) (a) Any person who is subject to an injunction under s. 813.12 or a tribal injunction filed under s. 813.128 (3g) and who intentionally causes bodily harm to the petitioner who sought the injunction by an act done without the consent of the petitioner is guilty of a Class I felony.

940.20(1m)(b) (b) Any person who is subject to an injunction under s. 813.125 and who intentionally causes bodily harm to the petitioner who sought the injunction by an act done without the consent of the petitioner is guilty of a Class I felony.

940.20(2) (2) Battery to fire fighters and commission wardens. Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to a fire fighter, as defined in s. 102.475 (8) (b), or to a commission warden, acting in an official capacity and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a fire fighter or commission warden, by an act done without the consent of the person so injured, is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.20(2m) (2m) Battery to probation, extended supervision and parole agents, community supervision agents, and aftercare agents.

940.20(2m)(a) (a) In this subsection:

940.20(2m)(a)1. 1. “Aftercare agent” means any person authorized by the department of corrections to exercise control over a juvenile on aftercare or authorized by a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band to exercise control over a juvenile on aftercare or a comparable program that is authorized by the tribe or band.

940.20(2m)(a)1m. 1m. “Community supervision agent” means any person authorized by the department of corrections to exercise control over a juvenile on community supervision or authorized by a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band to exercise control over a juvenile on community supervision or a comparable program that is authorized by the tribe or band.

940.20(2m)(a)1o. 1o. “Exercise control” includes exercising control either directly or through a subordinate and includes transporting the individual.

940.20(2m)(a)1p. 1p. “Family member” means a spouse, child, stepchild, foster child, parent, sibling, or grandchild.

940.20(2m)(a)2. 2. “Probation, extended supervision, and parole agent” means any person authorized by the department of corrections to exercise control over a probationer, parolee, or person on extended supervision or authorized by a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band to exercise control over a probationer, parolee, or person on extended supervision or a comparable program that is authorized by the tribe or band.

940.20(2m)(b) (b) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm or threatens to cause bodily harm to the person or family member of a probation, extended supervision, and parole agent, a community supervision agent, or an aftercare agent under all of the following circumstances is guilty of a Class H felony:

940.20(2m)(b)1. 1. At the time of the act or threat, the actor knows or has reason to know that the victim is a probation, extended supervision, and parole agent, a community supervision agent, or an aftercare agent, or a member of the agent’s family.

940.20(2m)(b)2. 2. The act or threat is in response to any action taken by the agent acting in an official capacity.

940.20(2m)(b)3. 3. The act or threat is done without the consent of the person harmed or threatened.

940.20(3) (3) Battery to jurors. Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to a person who he or she knows or has reason to know is or was a grand or petit juror, and by reason of any verdict or indictment assented to by the person, without the consent of the person injured, is guilty of a Class H felony.

940.20(4) (4) Battery to public officers. Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to a public officer in order to influence the action of such officer or as a result of any action taken within an official capacity, without the consent of the person injured, is guilty of a Class I felony.

940.20(4m) (4m) Battery to election officials, election registration officials, or clerks.

940.20(4m)(a) (a) In this subsection:

940.20(4m)(a)1. 1. “County clerk” has the meaning given in s. 5.02 (2).

940.20(4m)(a)2. 2. “Election official” has the meaning given in s. 5.02 (4e).

940.20(4m)(a)3. 3. “Election registration official” has the meaning given in s. 5.02 (4g).

940.20(4m)(a)4. 4. “Municipal clerk” has the meaning given in s. 5.02 (10).

940.20(4m)(b) (b) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to an election official, election registration official, county clerk, or municipal clerk who is acting in his or her official capacity is guilty of a Class I felony if the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is an election official, election registration official, county clerk, or municipal clerk and the victim does not consent to the harm.

Effective date note NOTE: Sub. (4m) is created eff. 7-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 126.

940.20(5) (5) Battery to technical college district or school district officers and employees.

940.20(5)(a) (a) In this subsection:

940.20(5)(a)1. 1. “School district” has the meaning given in s. 115.01 (3).

940.20(5)(a)2. 2. “Technical college district” means a district established under ch. 38.

940.20(5)(b) (b) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to a technical college district or school district officer or employee acting in that capacity, and the person knows or has reason to know that the victim is a technical college district or school district officer or employee, without the consent of the person so injured, is guilty of a Class I felony.

940.20(6) (6) Battery to public transit vehicle operator, driver or passenger.

940.20(6)(a) (a) In this subsection, “public transit vehicle” means any vehicle used for providing transportation service to the general public.

940.20(6)(b) (b) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to another under any of the following circumstances is guilty of a Class I felony:

940.20(6)(b)1. 1. The harm occurs while the victim is an operator, a driver or a passenger of, in or on a public transit vehicle.

940.20(6)(b)2. 2. The harm occurs after the offender forces or directs the victim to leave a public transit vehicle.

940.20(6)(b)3. 3. The harm occurs as the offender prevents, or attempts to prevent, the victim from gaining lawful access to a public transit vehicle.

940.20 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1979 c. 30, 113, 221; 1981 c. 118 s. 9; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (4); 1989 a. 336; 1993 a. 54, 164, 491; 1995 a. 27 s. 9126 (19); 1995 a. 77, 145, 225, 343; 1997 a. 35, 143, 283; 1999 a. 85; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 434; 2007 a. 20 s. 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 27, 130; 2011 a. 32, 74; 2015 a. 55, 78, 352; 2017 a. 12; 2019 a. 97; 2021 a. 13, 187, 209; 2023 a. 126; s. 35.17 correction in (2m) (a) 2., (b) 1.

940.20 Annotation Resisting or obstructing an officer, s. 946.41, is not a lesser-included offense of battery to a peace officer. State v. Zdiarstek, 53 Wis. 2d 776, 193 N.W.2d 833 (1972).

940.20 Annotation A county deputy sheriff was not acting in an official capacity under s. 940.205 [now sub. (2)] when making an arrest outside of his county of employment. State v. Barrett, 96 Wis. 2d 174, 291 N.W.2d 498 (1980).

940.20 Annotation A prisoner is “confined to a state prison” under sub. (1) when kept under guard at a hospital for treatment. State v. Cummings, 153 Wis. 2d 603, 451 N.W.2d 463 (Ct. App. 1989).

940.20 Annotation A defendant’s commitment to a mental institution upon a finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect rendered the defendant a “prisoner” under sub. (1). State v. Skamfer, 176 Wis. 2d 304, 500 N.W.2d 369 (Ct. App. 1993).

940.20 Annotation There is no requirement under sub. (2) that the officer/victim be acting lawfully when he or she is hit by a defendant. When an officer was assaulted when doing something within the scope of what the officer was employed to do, the lawfulness of the officer’s presence in the house where the defendant hit him was not material to a violation of sub. (2). State v. Haywood, 2009 WI App 178, 322 Wis. 2d 691, 777 N.W.2d 921, 09-0030.

940.201 940.201 Battery or threat to witnesses.

940.201(1) (1) In this section:

940.201(1)(a) (a) “Family member” means a spouse, child, stepchild, foster child, parent, sibling, or grandchild.

940.201(1)(b) (b) “Witness” has the meaning given in s. 940.41 (3).

940.201(2) (2) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class H felony:

940.201(2)(a) (a) Intentionally causes bodily harm or threatens to cause bodily harm to a person who he or she knows or has reason to know is or was a witness by reason of the person having attended or testified as a witness and without the consent of the person harmed or threatened.

940.201(2)(b) (b) Intentionally causes bodily harm or threatens to cause bodily harm to a person who he or she knows or has reason to know is a family member of a witness or a person sharing a common domicile with a witness by reason of the witness having attended or testified as a witness and without the consent of the person harmed or threatened.

940.201 History History: 1997 a. 143; 2001 a. 109; 2009 a. 28.

940.201 Annotation Battery to a prospective witness is prohibited by s. 940.206 [now this section]. McLeod v. State, 85 Wis. 2d 787, 271 N.W.2d 157 (Ct. App. 1978).

940.203 940.203 Battery or threat to an officer of the court or law enforcement officer.

940.203(1) (1) In this section: