Chapter 943

943.10 Annotation In a burglary prosecution, ordinarily once proof of entry is made, it is the defendant’s burden to show consent. When a private residence is broken into at night, little evidence is required to support an inference of intent to steal. LaTender v. State, 77 Wis. 2d 383, 253 N.W.2d 221 (1977).

943.10 Annotation Entry into a hotel lobby open to the public, with intent to steal, is not burglary. Champlin v. State, 84 Wis. 2d 621, 267 N.W.2d 295 (1978).

943.10 Annotation Section 939.72 (3) does not bar convictions for possession of burglarious tools and burglary arising out of a single transaction. Dumas v. State, 90 Wis. 2d 518, 280 N.W.2d 310 (Ct. App. 1979).

943.10 Annotation Intent to steal is capable of being gleaned from the defendant’s conduct and the circumstances surrounding it. State v. Bowden, 93 Wis. 2d 574, 288 N.W.2d 139 (1980).

943.10 Annotation Under the facts of this case, the defendant’s employer did not give the defendant consent to enter the employer’s premises after hours by providing the defendant with a key to the premises. State v. Schantek, 120 Wis. 2d 79, 353 N.W.2d 832 (Ct. App. 1984).

943.10 Annotation Felonies that form the basis of burglary charges include only offenses against persons and property. State v. O’Neill, 121 Wis. 2d 300, 359 N.W.2d 906 (1984).

943.10 Annotation To negate the intent to steal through the defense of “self-help” repossession of property stolen from the defendant, the money repossessed must consist of the exact coins and currency owed to the defendant. State v. Pettit, 171 Wis. 2d 627, 492 N.W.2d 633 (Ct. App. 1992).

943.10 Annotation As used in sub. (2) (d), “battery” applies only to simple battery. Convictions for both intermediate battery under s. 940.19 (3) and burglary/battery under sub. (2) (d) did not violate double jeopardy. State v. Reynolds, 206 Wis. 2d 356, 557 N.W.2d 821 (Ct. App. 1996), 96-0265.

943.10 Annotation A firearm with a trigger lock is within the applicable definition of a dangerous weapon under s. 939.22 (10). State v. Norris, 214 Wis. 2d 25, 571 N.W.2d 857 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-2158.

943.10 Annotation Sub. (1) [now sub. (1m)] requires only an intent to commit a felony. There is not a unanimity requirement that the jury agree on the specific felony that was intended. State v. Hammer, 216 Wis. 2d 214, 576 N.W.2d 285 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-3084.

943.10 Annotation A nexus between the burglary and the weapon is not required for an armed burglary conviction. Being armed is a necessary separate element. That a nexus is not required does not violate due process and fundamental fairness. State v. Gardner, 230 Wis. 2d 32, 601 N.W.2d 670 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-2655.

943.10 Annotation The defendant’s violation of the bail jumping statute by making an unauthorized entry into the initial crime victim’s premises in violation of the defendant’s bond with the purpose of intimidating the victim constituted a felony against persons or property that would support a burglary charge. State v. Semrau, 2000 WI App 54, 233 Wis. 2d 508, 608 N.W.2d 376, 98-3443.

943.10 Annotation A person commits a burglary by entering premises with the intent of committing a felony against persons or property while on the premises, regardless of whether the person’s actions while within the premises constitute a new crime or the continuation of an ongoing offense. Felon in possession of a firearm in violation of s. 941.29 is a crime against persons or property that may be an underlying felony for a burglary charge. State v. Steele, 2001 WI App 34, 241 Wis. 2d 269, 625 N.W.2d 595, 00-0190.

943.10 Annotation Each paragraph of sub. (2) defines a complete stand-alone crime. Separate convictions under separate paragraphs arising from the same event do not constitute double jeopardy. State v. Beasley, 2004 WI App 42, 271 Wis. 2d 469, 678 N.W.2d 600, 02-2229.

943.10 Annotation Sub. (1m) (a) to (f) does not provide alternative elements of the crime of burglary but instead identifies alternative means of committing one element of the crime of burglary. United States v. Franklin, 2019 WI 64, 387 Wis. 2d 259, 928 N.W.2d 545, 18-1346.

943.10 Annotation Felony murder is committed when the death of another person is caused by a defendant during the commission of certain crimes, including burglary. The elements of burglary include the intent to either steal or to commit a felony. The evidence demonstrated that the defendant in this case forced his way into a building and started shooting with two guns, which was indicative of an intent to recklessly endanger the safety of those inside—a felony. Therefore, the defendant was convicted of a valid crime. State v. Mays, 2022 WI App 24, 402 Wis. 2d 162, 975 N.W.2d 649, 21-0765.

943.11 943.11 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.

943.11 History History: 1977 c. 173.

943.12 943.12 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.

943.12 History History: 1977 c. 173; 2001 a. 109.

943.12 Annotation A homemade key used to open parking meters is a burglarious tool. Perkins v. State, 61 Wis. 2d 341, 212 N.W.2d 141 (1973).

943.12 Annotation It was implausible that the defendant was looking for the home of an acquaintance in order to pick up some artwork while carrying a crowbar, a pair of gloves, and a pair of socks. Hansen v. State, 64 Wis. 2d 541, 219 N.W.2d 246 (1974).

943.12 Annotation Section 939.72 (3) does not bar convictions for possession of burglarious tools and burglary arising out of a single transaction. Dumas v. State, 90 Wis. 2d 518, 280 N.W.2d 310 (Ct. App. 1979).

943.12 Annotation The defendant’s two prior convictions for burglary were admissible to prove intent to use gloves, a long pocket knife, a crowbar, and a pillow case as burglarious tools. Vanlue v. State, 96 Wis. 2d 81, 291 N.W.2d 467 (1980).

943.125 943.125 Entry into locked coin box.

943.125(1) (1) Whoever intentionally enters a locked coin box of another without consent and with intent to steal therefrom is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

943.125(2) (2) Whoever has in personal possession any device or instrumentality intended, designed or adapted for use in breaking into any coin box, with intent to use the device or instrumentality to break into a coin box and to steal therefrom, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

943.125(3) (3) In this section, “coin box” means any device or receptacle designed to receive money or any other thing of value. The term includes a depository box, parking meter, vending machine, pay telephone, money changing machine, coin-operated phonograph and amusement machine if they are designed to receive money or other thing of value.

943.125 History History: 1977 c. 173.

943.13 943.13 Trespass to land.

943.13(1e) (1e) In this section:

943.13(1e)(aL) (aL) “Carry” has the meaning given in s. 175.60 (1) (ag).

943.13(1e)(ar) (ar) “Dwelling unit” means a structure or that part of a structure which is used or intended to be used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons maintaining a common household, to the exclusion of all others.

943.13(1e)(az) (az) “Implied consent” means conduct or words or both that imply that an owner or occupant of land has given consent to another person to enter the land.

943.13(1e)(b) (b) “Inholding” means a parcel of land that is private property and that is surrounded completely by land owned by the United States, by this state or by a local governmental unit or any combination of the United States, this state and a local governmental unit.

943.13(1e)(bm) (bm) “Licensee” means a licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (d), or an out-of-state licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (g).

943.13(1e)(c) (c) “Local governmental unit” means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of the political subdivision or special purpose district or a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing.

943.13(1e)(cm) (cm) “Nonresidential building” includes a nursing home as defined in s. 50.01 (3), a community-based residential facility as defined in s. 50.01 (1g), a residential care apartment complex as defined in s. 50.01 (6d), an adult family home as defined in s. 50.01 (1), and a hospice as defined in s. 50.90 (1).

943.13(1e)(cr) (cr) “Open land” means land that meets all of the following criteria:

943.13(1e)(cr)1. 1. The land is not occupied by a structure or improvement being used or occupied as a dwelling unit.

943.13(1e)(cr)2. 2. The land is not part of the curtilage, or is not lying in the immediate vicinity, of a structure or improvement being used or occupied as a dwelling unit.

943.13(1e)(cr)3. 3. The land is not occupied by a public building.

943.13(1e)(cr)4. 4. The land is not occupied by a place of employment.

943.13(1e)(cv) (cv) “Out-of-state licensee” has the meaning given in s. 175.60 (1) (g).

943.13(1e)(d) (d) “Place of employment” has the meaning given in s. 101.01 (11).

943.13(1e)(e) (e) “Private property” means real property that is not owned by the United States, this state or a local governmental unit.

943.13(1e)(h) (h) “Special event” means an event that is open to the public, is for a duration of not more than 3 weeks, and either has designated entrances to and from the event that are locked when the event is closed or requires an admission.

943.13(1m) (1m) Whoever does any of the following is subject to a Class B forfeiture:

943.13(1m)(a) (a) Enters any enclosed, cultivated or undeveloped land of another, other than open land specified in par. (e) or (f), without the express or implied consent of the owner or occupant.

943.13(1m)(am) (am) 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.

943.13(1m)(b) (b) 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. This paragraph does not apply to a licensee or out-of-state licensee if the owner’s or occupant’s intent is to prevent the licensee or out-of-state licensee from carrying a firearm on the owner’s or occupant’s land.

943.13(1m)(c) (c)

943.13(1m)(c)1. 1. While carrying a firearm, enters or remains at a residence that the actor does not own or occupy after the owner of the residence, if he or she has not leased it to another person, or the occupant of the residence has notified the actor not to enter or remain at the residence while carrying a firearm or with that type of firearm. In this subdivision, “residence,” with respect to a single-family residence, includes the residence building and the parcel of land upon which the residence building is located, and “residence,” with respect to a residence that is not a single-family residence, does not include any common area of the building in which the residence is located or any common areas of the rest of the parcel of land upon which the residence building is located.

943.13(1m)(c)1m. 1m. While carrying a firearm, enters or remains in a common area in a building, or on the grounds of a building, that is a residence that is not a single-family residence if the actor does not own the residence or does not occupy any part of the residence, if the owner of the residence has notified the actor not to enter or remain in the common area or on the grounds while carrying a firearm or with that type of firearm. This subdivision does not apply to a part of the grounds of the building if that part is used for parking and the firearm is in a vehicle driven or parked in that part.

943.13(1m)(c)2. 2. While carrying a firearm, enters or remains in any part of a nonresidential building, grounds of a nonresidential building, or land that the actor does not own or occupy after the owner of the building, grounds, or land, if that part of the building, grounds, or land has not been leased to another person, or the occupant of that part of the building, grounds, or land has notified the actor not to enter or remain in that part of the building, grounds, or land while carrying a firearm or with that type of firearm. This subdivision does not apply to a part of a building, grounds, or land occupied by the state or by a local governmental unit, to a privately or publicly owned building on the grounds of a university or college, or to the grounds of or land owned or occupied by a university or college, or, if the firearm is in a vehicle driven or parked in the parking facility, to any part of a building, grounds, or land used as a parking facility.

943.13(1m)(c)3. 3. While carrying a firearm, enters or remains at a special event if the organizers of the special event have notified the actor not to enter or remain at the special event while carrying a firearm or with that type of firearm. This subdivision does not apply, if the firearm is in a vehicle driven or parked in the parking facility, to any part of the special event grounds or building used as a parking facility.

943.13(1m)(c)4. 4. While carrying a firearm, enters or remains in any part of a building that is owned, occupied, or controlled by the state or any local governmental unit, excluding any building or portion of a building under s. 175.60 (16) (a), if the state or local governmental unit has notified the actor not to enter or remain in the building while carrying a firearm or with that type of firearm. This subdivision does not apply to a person who leases residential or business premises in the building or, if the firearm is in a vehicle driven or parked in the parking facility, to any part of the building used as a parking facility.

943.13(1m)(c)5. 5. While carrying a firearm, enters or remains in any privately or publicly owned building on the grounds of a university or college, if the university or college has notified the actor not to enter or remain in the building while carrying a firearm or with that type of firearm. This subdivision does not apply to a person who leases residential or business premises in the building or, if the firearm is in a vehicle driven or parked in the parking facility, to any part of the building used as a parking facility.

943.13(1m)(e) (e) 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.

943.13(1m)(f) (f) 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.

943.13(1s) (1s) In determining whether a person has implied consent to enter the land of another a trier of fact shall consider all of the circumstances existing at the time the person entered the land, including all of the following:

943.13(1s)(a) (a) Whether the owner or occupant acquiesced to previous entries by the person or by other persons under similar circumstances.

943.13(1s)(b) (b) The customary use, if any, of the land by other persons.

943.13(1s)(c) (c) Whether the owner or occupant represented to the public that the land may be entered for particular purposes.

943.13(1s)(d) (d) The general arrangement or design of any improvements or structures on the land.

943.13(2) (2) 

943.13(2)(am) (am) A person has received notice from the owner or occupant within the meaning of sub. (1m) (b), (e) or (f) if he or she has been notified personally, either orally or in writing, or if the land is posted. Land is considered to be posted under this paragraph under either of the following procedures:

943.13(2)(am)1. 1. If a sign at least 11 inches square is placed in at least 2 conspicuous places for every 40 acres to be protected. The sign must provide an appropriate notice and the name of the person giving the notice followed by the word “owner” if the person giving the notice is the holder of legal title to the land and by the word “occupant” if the person giving the notice is not the holder of legal title but is a lawful occupant of the land. Proof that appropriate signs as provided in this subdivision were erected or in existence upon the premises to be protected prior to the event complained of shall be prima facie proof that the premises to be protected were posted as provided in this subdivision.

943.13(2)(am)2. 2. If markings at least one foot long, including in a contrasting color the phrase “private land” and the name of the owner, are made in at least 2 conspicuous places for every 40 acres to be protected.

943.13(2)(bm) (bm)

943.13(2)(bm)1. 1. In this paragraph, “sign” means a sign that states a restriction imposed under subd. 2. that is at least 5 inches by 7 inches.

943.13(2)(bm)2. 2.

943.13(2)(bm)2.a. a. For the purposes of sub. (1m) (c) 1m., an owner of a residence that is not a single-family residence has notified an individual not to enter or remain in a part of that building, or on the grounds of that building, while carrying a firearm or with a particular type of firearm if the owner has posted a sign that is located in a prominent place near all of the entrances to the part of the building to which the restriction applies or near all probable access points to the grounds to which the restriction applies and any individual entering the building or the grounds can be reasonably expected to see the sign.

943.13(2)(bm)2.am. am. For the purposes of sub. (1m) (c) 2., 4., and 5., an owner or occupant of a part of a nonresidential building, the state or a local governmental unit, or a university or a college has notified an individual not to enter or remain in a part of the building while carrying a firearm or with a particular type of firearm if the owner, occupant, state, local governmental unit, university, or college has posted a sign that is located in a prominent place near all of the entrances to the part of the building to which the restriction applies and any individual entering the building can be reasonably expected to see the sign.

943.13(2)(bm)2.b. b. For the purposes of sub. (1m) (c) 2., an owner or occupant of the grounds of a nonresidential building or of land has notified an individual not to enter or remain on the grounds or land while carrying a firearm or with a particular type of firearm if the owner or occupant has posted a sign that is located in a prominent place near all probable access points to the grounds or land to which the restriction applies and any individual entering the grounds or land can be reasonably expected to see the sign.

943.13(2)(bm)2.c. c. For the purposes of sub. (1m) (c) 3., the organizers of the special event have notified an individual not to enter or remain at the special event while carrying a firearm or with a particular type of firearm if the organizers have posted a sign that is located in a prominent place near all of the entrances to the special event and any individual attending the special event can be reasonably expected to see the sign.

943.13(3) (3) Whoever erects on the land of another signs which are the same as or similar to those described in sub. (2) (am) without obtaining the express consent of the lawful occupant of or holder of legal title to such land is subject to a Class C forfeiture.

943.13(3m) (3m) An owner or occupant may give express consent to enter or remain on the land for a specified purpose or subject to specified conditions and it is a violation of sub. (1m) (a) or (am) for a person who received that consent to enter or remain on the land for another purpose or contrary to the specified conditions.

943.13(4) (4) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a representative of a labor union from conferring with any employee provided such conference is conducted in the living quarters of the employee and with the consent of the employee occupants.

943.13(4m) (4m) 

943.13(4m)(am) (am) This section does not apply to any of the following:

943.13(4m)(am)1. 1. A person entering the land, other than the residence or other buildings or the curtilage of the residence or other buildings, of another for the purpose of removing a wild animal as authorized under s. 29.885 (2), (3) or (4).

943.13(4m)(am)2. 2. A hunter entering land that is required to be open for hunting under s. 29.885 (4m) or 29.889 (7m).

943.13(4m)(am)3. 3. A person entering or remaining on any exposed shore area of a stream as authorized under s. 30.134.

943.13(4m)(am)4. 4. An assessor and an assessor’s staff entering the land, other than a building, agricultural land or pasture, or a livestock confinement area, of another if all of the following apply:

943.13(4m)(am)4.a. a. The assessor or the assessor’s staff enters the land in order to make an assessment on behalf of the state or a political subdivision.

943.13(4m)(am)4.b. b. The assessor or assessor’s staff enters the land on a weekday during daylight hours, or at another time as agreed upon with the land owner.

943.13(4m)(am)4.c. c. The assessor or assessor’s staff spends no more than one hour on the land.

943.13(4m)(am)4.d. d. The assessor or assessor’s staff does not open doors, enter through open doors, or look into windows of structures on the land.