Wisconsin Prostitution and Solicitation Laws
By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed October 23, 2024
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Wisconsin law makes prostitution in its many forms unlawful. This includes selling and buying sex (solicitation) as well as pimping 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.
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 laws criminalize this type of sexual contact.
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.
For more on these laws, see Wisconsin's Rape and Sexual Assault laws.
Wisconsin Prostitution and Solicitation Laws: Statutes
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.
Code sections | Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 940: Crimes Against Sexual Morality, Subchapter 5 Prostitution — Wisc. Stat. Section 944.30 Patronizing Prostitutes — Wisc. Stat. Section 944.31 Soliciting Prostitutes — Wisc. Stat. Section 944.32 Pandering — Wisc. Stat. Section 944.33 Keeping a Place of Prostitution — Wisc. Stat. Section 944.34 |
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What is prohibited? | Wisconsin prohibits any of the following activities:
Besides these laws, pimps and others may face human trafficking charges. Wisconsin law prohibits a person from knowingly engaging in the trafficking (recruiting, harboring, transporting, obtaining, etc.) of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex acts by any of the following means:
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Penalties | The penalties for the above crimes vary by the class of offense. The possible sentences are as follows:
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Civil penalties | If a human trafficking victim suffers an injury or dies as a result of the defendant’s acts, they (or their family) can sue for damages, punitive damage, and attorney's fees. |
Defenses | Wisconsin 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. |
Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change. Verifying your state's laws or seeking legal advice for your criminal case is essential.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Wisconsin
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 will get the best possible outcome in your case.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex cases usually require a lawyer
- Experienced lawyers can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties
- Sexual assaults & sex crime convictions often have long sentences and lifelong consequences
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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