Chapter 944

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]