{"id":377343,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-23T14:53:30","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T19:53:30","slug":"wisconsin-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Prostitution and Solicitation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wisconsin Prostitution and Solicitation Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Wisconsin law makes prostitution<\/a> in its many forms unlawful. This includes selling and buying sex<\/a> (solicitation) as well as pimping<\/a> and human trafficking. As compared with more serious sex crimes, prostitution-related crimes are often misdemeanors. But, some criminal offenses, such as profiting from prostitution (pimping), or keeping a place of prostitution, are felony offenses.<\/p>\r\n

Some prostitution cases can carry felony charges as well. For example, there are cases when a customer ("john") goes beyond the agreed sexual activity and rapes a prostitute. Wisconsin’s sexual assault<\/a> laws criminalize this type of sexual contact.<\/p>\r\n

Human trafficking offenses are also more serious felonies due to the serious nature of forcing others into prostitution and the way traffickers treat their victims.<\/p>\r\n

For more on these laws, see Wisconsin’s Rape and Sexual Assault<\/a> laws.<\/p>\r\n

Wisconsin Prostitution and Solicitation Laws: Statutes<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If you’re facing charges for prostitution, pimping, or solicitation of prostitution, you should know the potential penalties. The following table details the main provisions of Wisconsin’s prostitution laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code sections<\/th>\r\n

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 940: Crimes Against Sexual Morality, Subchapter 5<\/a><\/b><\/p>\r\n

Prostitution \u2014 Wisc. Stat. Section 944.30<\/p>\r\n

Patronizing Prostitutes \u2014 Wisc. Stat. Section 944.31<\/p>\r\n

Soliciting Prostitutes \u2014 Wisc. Stat. Section 944.32<\/p>\r\n

Pandering \u2014 Wisc. Stat. Section 944.33<\/p>\r\n

Keeping a Place of Prostitution \u2014 Wisc. Stat. Section 944.34<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

What is prohibited?<\/th>\r\n

Wisconsin prohibits any of the following activities:<\/p>\r\n

Penalties<\/th>\r\n

The penalties for the above crimes vary by the class of offense. The possible sentences are as follows:<\/p>\r\n

Civil penalties<\/th>\r\n

If a human trafficking victim suffers an injury or dies as a result of the defendant\u2019s acts, they (or their family) can sue for damages<\/a>, punitive damage<\/a>, and attorney’s fees<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Defenses<\/th>\r\nWisconsin law allows specific defenses to the above sex crimes. Your criminal defense lawyer must submit evidence supporting your alleged defense. Innocence is always a defense in criminal cases. So is entrapment. Not knowing the prostitute or human trafficking victim was a minor is not a defense.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Disclaimer:<\/b> State laws are subject to change. Verifying your state’s laws or seeking legal advice for your criminal case is essential.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Wisconsin<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If Wisconsin is alleging that you engaged in the act of prostitution or a related offense, you should seek legal advice immediately. While the penalties for prostitution may not seem severe, a conviction will impact your personal and professional lives. A skilled criminal defense attorney<\/a> will get the best possible outcome in your case.<\/p>\r\n

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