Chapter 944

944.21 History History: 1977 c. 173, 272; 1987 a. 416; 1993 a. 399; 1995 a. 27 s. 9154 (1); 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16, 104, 109; 2005 a. 22, 25, 254; 2009 a. 302; 2017 a. 59.

944.21 Annotation The sufficiency of an obscenity complaint and the correctness of jury instructions are discussed. State v. Simpson, 56 Wis. 2d 27, 201 N.W.2d 558.

944.21 Annotation To charge a defendant with the possession or sale of obscene materials, the complaint must allege that the defendant knew the nature of the materials; a charge that the defendant acted “feloniously” is insufficient to charge scienter. State v. Schneider, 60 Wis. 2d 563, 211 N.W.2d 630.

944.21 Note NOTE: The preceding annotations relate to this section as it existed prior to its treatment by 1987 Wis. Act. 416.

944.21 Annotation This section is not unconstitutionally overbroad or vague. States are not prevented from deviating from the Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, language in regulating obscenity. Jury instructions that use synonymous or explanatory terms not used in Miller are not improper. County of Kenosha v. C. & S. Management, Inc. 223 Wis. 2d 373, 588 N.W.2d 236 (1999), 97-0642.

944.21 Annotation A telephone survey regarding community standards is irrelevant. A relevant survey must address whether the material at issue depicts acts in a patently offensive manner and appeals to the prurient interest. County of Kenosha v. C. & S. Management, Inc. 223 Wis. 2d 373, 588 N.W.2d 236 (1999), 97-0642.

944.21 Annotation Contemporary community standards must be applied by juries in accordance with their own understanding of the average tolerance of the average person in their community. The community to be considered is the state. Material is obscene if it appeals to prurient interest, not if it intends or attempts to appeal to prurient interest. State v. Tee & Bee, Inc. 229 Wis. 2d 446, 600 N.W.2d 230 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-0602.

944.21 Annotation The federal constitution does not mandate that juries be instructed to apply standards of a hypothetical statewide community. Jenkins v. Georgia, 418 U.S. 153 (1974).

944.21 Annotation A motion picture cannot be seized without a prior adversary hearing. Detco, Inc. v. Neelen, 356 F. Supp. 289 (1973).

944.21 Annotation Behind the Curtain of Privacy: How Obscenity Law Inhibits the Expression of Ideas About Sex and Gender. Peterson. 1998 WLR 625.

944.21 Annotation From Ulysses to Portnoy: A pornography primer. Eich, 53 MLR 155.

944.23 944.23 Making lewd, obscene or indecent drawings. Whoever makes any lewd, obscene or indecent drawing or writing in public or in a public place is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

944.23 History History: 1977 c. 173.

944.25 944.25 Sending obscene or sexually explicit electronic messages.

944.25(1) (1) In this section:

944.25(1)(a) (a) “Electronic mail solicitation” means an electronic mail message, including any attached program or document, that is sent for the purpose of encouraging a person to purchase property, goods, or services.

944.25(1)(b) (b) “Obscene material” has the meaning given in s. 944.21 (2) (c).

944.25(1)(c) (c) “Sexually explicit conduct” has the meaning given in s. 948.01 (7).

944.25(2) (2) Whoever sends an unsolicited electronic mail solicitation to a person that contains obscene material or a depiction of sexually explicit conduct without including the words “ADULT ADVERTISEMENT” in the subject line of the electronic mail solicitation is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

944.25 History History: 2001 a. 16.

subch. V of ch. 944 SUBCHAPTER V

PROSTITUTION

944.30 944.30 Prostitution.

944.30(1m) (1m) Any person who intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:

944.30(1m)(a) (a) Has or offers to have or requests to have nonmarital sexual intercourse for anything of value.

944.30(1m)(b) (b) Commits or offers to commit or requests to commit an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another for anything of value.

944.30(1m)(c) (c) Is an inmate of a place of prostitution.

944.30(1m)(d) (d) Masturbates a person or offers to masturbate a person or requests to be masturbated by a person for anything of value.

944.30(1m)(e) (e) Commits or offers to commit or requests to commit an act of sexual contact for anything of value.

944.30(2m) (2m) If the person under sub. (1m) has not attained the age of 18 years and if the court determines that the best interests of the person are served and society will not be harmed, the court may enter a consent decree under s. 938.32 or a deferred prosecution agreement in accordance with s. 938.245, 971.39, or 971.40.

944.30 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 17; 1993 a. 213; 2013 a. 362.

944.30 Annotation In order for a female prostitute to avoid prosecution upon equal protection grounds, it must be shown that the failure to prosecute male patrons was selective, persistent, discriminatory, and without justifiable prosecutorial discretion. State v. Johnson, 74 Wis. 2d 169, 246 N.W.2d 503 (1976).

944.30 Annotation Prosecuting for solicitation under s. 939.30, rather than for prostitution under this section, did not deny equal protection. Sears v. State, 94 Wis. 2d 128, 287 N.W.2d 785 (1980).

944.30 Annotation A prostitution raid focusing only on female participants amounts to selective prosecution in violation of equal protection. The applicable constitutional analysis is discussed. State v. McCollum, 159 Wis. 2d 184, 464 N.W.2d 44 (Ct. App. 1990).

944.30 Annotation As long as someone compensates another for engaging in nonmarital sex, the elements of prostitution are met. The person making payment need not engage in the sexual act. State v. Kittilstad, 231 Wis. 2d 245, 603 N.W.2d 732 (1999), 98-1456.

944.30 Annotation Since sub. (1) [now sub. (1m) (a)] requires a request for nonmarital sexual intercourse be coupled with the offer of anything of value, evidence that the defendant was willing to pay to watch the witness masturbate did not satisfy sub. (1). State v. Turnpaugh, 2007 WI App 222, 305 Wis. 2d 722, 741 N.W.2d 488, 06-2301.

944.31 944.31 Patronizing prostitutes. Except as provided in s. 948.081, any person who enters or remains in any place of prostitution with intent to have nonmarital sexual intercourse or to commit an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another, masturbation or sexual contact with a prostitute is guilty of the following:

944.31(1) (1) For a first or 2nd violation, a Class A misdemeanor.

944.31(2) (2) For a 3rd or subsequent violation, a Class I felony.

944.31 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 17; 2017 a. 128, 131, 364.

944.32 944.32 Soliciting prostitutes. Except as provided under s. 948.08, whoever intentionally solicits or causes any person to practice prostitution or establishes any person in a place of prostitution is guilty of a Class H felony.

944.32 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1987 a. 332; 2001 a. 109.

944.32 Annotation Section 944.32, 1985 stats., prohibiting solicitation of prostitutes, does not violate right of free speech. Shillcutt v. State, 74 Wis. 2d 642, 247 N.W.2d 694 (1976).

944.32 Annotation This section is not unconstitutionally vague or overbroad and its penalty is not disproportionate. State v. Johnson, 108 Wis. 2d 703, 324 N.W.2d 447 (Ct. App. 1982).

944.32 Annotation Monetary gain is not an element of the crime. State v. Huff, 123 Wis. 2d 397, 367 N.W.2d 226 (Ct. App. 1985).

944.33 944.33 Pandering. Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:

944.33(1) (1) Solicits another to have nonmarital sexual intercourse or to commit an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another, masturbation or sexual contact with a person the solicitor knows is a prostitute; or

944.33(2) (2) With intent to facilitate another in having nonmarital intercourse or committing an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another, masturbation or sexual contact with a prostitute, directs or transports the person to a prostitute or directs or transports a prostitute to the person.

944.33 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1979 c. 221, 355; 1983 a. 17; 1993 a. 486; 2001 a. 109; 2013 a. 362.

944.34 944.34 Keeping place of prostitution. Whoever intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a Class H felony:

944.34(1) (1) Keeps a place of prostitution; or

944.34(2) (2) Grants the use or allows the continued use of a place as a place of prostitution.

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

944.34 Annotation A conviction under sub. (2) requires proof that the defendant has authority to exclude those engaging in prostitution from the use of the place for prohibited acts. Shillcutt v. State, 74 Wis. 2d 642, 247 N.W.2d 694 (1976).

944.34 Annotation Under sub. (2), “grants the use” requires the prosecution to prove a single affirmative approval of the use of the premises as a place of prostitution, while “allows the continued use of” requires proof of intentional but passive acquiescence or toleration of the use on more than one occasion. Johnson v. State, 76 Wis. 2d 672, 251 N.W.2d 834 (1977).

944.36 944.36 Solicitation of drinks prohibited. Any licensee, permittee or bartender of a retail alcohol beverage establishment covered by a license or permit issued under ch. 125 who permits an entertainer or employee to solicit a drink of any alcohol beverage, as defined in s. 125.02 (1), or any other drink from a customer on the premises, or any entertainer or employee who solicits such drinks from any customer, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

944.36 History History: 1975 c. 39 s. 675x; 1975 c. 199; Stats. 1975 s. 944.36; 1977 c. 173; 1981 c. 79.

944.36 Annotation Legislative Council Note, 1981: The amendment to s. 944.36 reflects the combining of s. 66.054 and ch. 176 into one chapter, ch. 125, and the definition of “alcohol beverage” in that chapter. [Bill 300-A]