Wisconsin Laws
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Are Autopsy Reports Public in Wisconsin? (2026)
In Wisconsin the manner of death is public, but the full autopsy report goes only to next of kin and those with a direct interest. Here is how to request one.
Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Wisconsin? (2026 Law)
Wisconsin adults may own brass knuckles, but carrying them concealed can be a Class A misdemeanor, a carry license does not cover them, and minors are barred.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Wisconsin? Psilocybin Laws (2026)
Psilocybin and psilocin are Schedule I in Wisconsin. A first possession conviction carries up to a year in jail; delivery is a Class G to E felony by weight.
Assault vs Battery in Wisconsin: Battery Charges and Penalties
Wisconsin charges battery, not assault, under Wis. Stat. 940.60 to 940.66 as recodified in 2025. See which batteries are felonies, protected victims and penalties.
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Bankruptcy in Wisconsin (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
Wisconsin bankruptcy guide: choose state or federal exemptions, a $75,000 homestead under Wis. Stat. 815.20, vehicle limits, plus 2026 means-test income.
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Common Law Marriage in Wisconsin: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Wisconsin abolished common law marriage in 1917. Wis. Stat. section 765.01 requires a license and solemnization; no new common law marriage can be formed in Wisconsin. Wisconsin does recognize valid common law marriages formed in other states.
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Does Wisconsin Have an Age Verification Law? (2026)
Wisconsin passed AB 105, an adult-content age-verification bill, through both chambers, but Governor Evers vetoed it and a veto-override attempt failed.
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How Long Is a Life Sentence in Wisconsin? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Wisconsin: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How to Find a Cause of Death in Wisconsin (2026)
Find a cause of death in Wisconsin through the death certificate, an autopsy report, or an obituary. The cause is restricted to family for 50 years.
How to Get a Wisconsin Death Certificate (2026)
Get a Wisconsin death certificate from the state Vital Records Office or a county register of deeds. A certified copy costs $20, plus $3 for each extra copy.
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Is Jaywalking Illegal in Wisconsin? Crossing Rules and Fines (2026)
Wisconsin pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to all vehicles (Wis. Stat. 346.25). The forfeiture is $2 to $20; the circuit court total is $150.10.
Is Kratom Legal in Wisconsin? (2026 Law)
Kratom is illegal in Wisconsin: mitragynine and 7-OH are Schedule I by statute. Possession is a misdemeanor and delivery is a Class H felony, at any age.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Wisconsin? (2026 Law)
Wisconsin has no lane splitting statute. Riders between lanes fall under the single-lane rule, Wis. Stat. 346.13(1): a $20 to $40 forfeiture and 4 points.
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Legal Separation in Wisconsin: Grounds, Residency and Divorce (2026)
Wisconsin allows legal separation under Wis. Stat. 767.35: the grounds, 30-day county residency, the 120-day wait, court orders and conversion to divorce.
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Medical Malpractice Laws in Wisconsin (2026): Deadlines & Caps
Wisconsin medical malpractice law in 2026: a 3-year deadline, a $750,000 noneconomic cap upheld in Mayo (2018), mandatory mediation, and the Compensation Fund.
Motorcycle Accident Laws in Wisconsin (2026): Deadlines
Wisconsin motorcycle accident law: the 3-year deadline to sue, the 51% comparative negligence bar, the under-18 helmet law, and the helmet defense ban.
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Truck Accident Laws in Wisconsin (2026): Deadlines & Liability
Wisconsin allows 3 years to file a truck-injury claim, 2 for a motor-vehicle wrongful death. It uses a modified-comparative 51% bar, plus federal FMCSA rules.
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Weird Laws in Wisconsin: Which Are Still on the Books?
Margarine for butter, cheese with apple pie, highly pleasing butter, lutefisk, microchips and stones at trains: 6 claims about weird Wisconsin laws checked.
Wisconsin Adoption Records: Original Birth Certificates and Sealed Files
Wisconsin releases the original birth certificate once matching consent affidavits are on file with DCF's Adoption Records Search Program, for $40.
Wisconsin Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
How Wisconsin criminal law protects minors by age: sexual assault of a child, underage sexual activity, ages 16 and 17, penalties, registration.
Wisconsin AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Wisconsin AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
Wisconsin AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Learn how Wisconsin consent laws apply to AI meeting recorders. One-party consent rules, penalties, and compliance.
Wisconsin Annulment Laws: Grounds, Deadlines and How to File (2026)
Wisconsin annulment law under Wis. Stat. 767.313: the four grounds, who may file, the one-year and 10-year deadlines, county residency, and what courts can order.
Wisconsin At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
Wisconsin is an at-will employment state. Learn which exceptions apply, right-to-work status under Wis. Stat. § 111.04(3), and your legal rights if fired.
Wisconsin Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)
Learn Wisconsin audio recording laws under Wis. Stat. 968.31. One-party consent allows recording your own calls and conversations. Class H felony penalties for violations.
Wisconsin Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to Wisconsin background check laws covering employer screening, the substantial relationship test, FCRA rules, expungement under 973.015, housing checks, and caregiver screening.
Wisconsin Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Wisconsin's breach notification law covers biometric data and DNA profiles with a 45-day notice rule. Learn about protections and proposed legislation.
Wisconsin Birth Certificate: Fees, Ordering and Who Can Get a Copy
The Wisconsin Vital Records Office charges $20 for a certified birth certificate and $3 per extra copy. Order by mail or through VitalChek, and see who is eligible.
Wisconsin Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Wisconsin is an at-fault state with a 51% comparative-negligence bar. Learn the minimum insurance requirements, statute of limitations, and how fault affects your claim.
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws (2026): Ages, Booster & Penalty
Wisconsin requires rear-facing seats under age 1 (or 20 lb) and boosters to age 7, per Wis. Stat. 347.48. See the 2026 back-seat rule, fine, and citations.
Wisconsin Child Custody Laws (2026): Legal Custody, Physical Placement, and Your Rights
Wisconsin presumes joint legal custody but not equal placement time. Learn how courts apply 14 best-interests factors, the relocation rule, and modification standards.
Wisconsin Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income Standard: 17%-34% of gross income by number of children under DCF 150. Learn guidelines, modification, and enforcement rules.
Wisconsin Court Records: How to Search WCCA, What's Public, and How to Seal Them (2026)
Wisconsin's WCCA (CCAP) is a free, statewide court records search live since 1999. Learn coverage, exclusions, the employer notice, and expungement rules.
Wisconsin Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026)
Dashcams are legal in Wisconsin. Learn the windshield mounting rules, the one-party consent law for in-car audio, and how dashcam footage works as evidence.
Wisconsin Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Wisconsin requires data breach notification within 45 days. Learn its PI definition covering biometric data and DNA, no AG reporting requirement, and $10,000 per violation penalty.
Wisconsin Data Privacy Laws: Breach Notification & Consumer Rights (2026)
Wisconsin requires 45-day breach notification under Wis. Stat. 134.98, protects student records through Wis. Stat. 118.125, and has pending comprehensive privacy legislation.
Wisconsin Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Wisconsin is a closed-record state for death certificates. Only family or those with a direct and tangible interest can get a certified copy until 50 years pass. Fee is $20.
Wisconsin Debt Collection Laws: Expired Debt Dies and Repossession Needs Permission
Wisconsin caps wage garnishment at 20% with a poverty-line shield, extinguishes debt after 6 years, and bars repossession without notice or a judgment.
Wisconsin Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Wisconsin outlaws sexual deepfakes under s. 942.09 (2025 Act 34) and requires AI disclosure in campaign ads under s. 11.1303(2m). Learn penalties and what victims can do.
Wisconsin Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
Wisconsin defamation laws: the three-year statute of limitations (Wis. Stat. 893.57), per se categories, the 895.05 correction rule, and no anti-SLAPP.
Wisconsin Disorderly Conduct and Trespass Laws (2026)
Wisconsin disorderly conduct (947.01) is a Class B misdemeanor. Land trespass is a forfeiture of up to $1,000; dwelling trespass is a Class A misdemeanor.
Wisconsin Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Wisconsin divorce laws explained: no-fault only, 6-month residency, 120-day waiting period, community property rules, and how to file in Circuit Court.
Wisconsin Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Wisconsin dog bite laws under Wis. Stat. 174.02: strict liability, double damages for repeat bites, defenses, penalties, and filing deadlines.
Wisconsin Drone Laws (2026): Privacy, Warrants & New Rules
Wisconsin bans spying with a drone, requires a police warrant before drone evidence, and as of April 2026 restricts flights over schools and utilities.
Wisconsin E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
Wisconsin defines electric scooters under Wis. Stat. 340.01(15ps) and allows sidewalk riding by default, unusual among states. No statewide age or helmet law was found.
Wisconsin Easements, Landlocked Property and Eminent Domain (2026)
Wisconsin prescriptive easements generally take 20 years of continuous adverse use. See landlocked-land options, blight limits on takings and compensation.
Wisconsin Emancipation Laws: How Minors Become Emancipated in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin has no emancipation petition statute. Learn how Wisconsin minors can become emancipated through marriage, military service, or common law, and what rights that status grants.
Wisconsin Embezzlement Laws: Theft, Forgery and Penalties (2026)
Wisconsin treats embezzlement as theft under Wis. Stat. 943.20(1)(b), generally a felony above $2,500. Forgery under 943.38 is a Class H felony.
Wisconsin Employee Monitoring Laws: Workplace Surveillance and Social Media (2026)
Wisconsin employee monitoring laws explained: the social media protection law under Wis. Stat. section 995.55, and GPS tracking rules for employer vehicles.
Wisconsin Expungement Laws: Wis. Stat. § 973.015 Explained
Wisconsin expungement under Wis. Stat. § 973.015 requires the court to order relief at sentencing for offenses committed before age 25 with a maximum sentence of 6 years or less. Learn eligibility, exclusions, and how failed reform efforts have repeatedly stalled.
Wisconsin Extortion and Blackmail Laws: Penalties (2026)
Wisconsin extortion under Wis. Stat. 943.30 is a Class H felony of up to 6 years; blackmail-type threats under 943.31 are Class I. See the 2025 sexual extortion law.
Wisconsin Felony Classes and Misdemeanor Penalties (2026)
Wisconsin felony Classes A to I and misdemeanor Classes A to C, with maximum prison terms, fines, bifurcated sentences, repeater rules and probation length.
Wisconsin Final Paycheck Laws: No Acceleration, Tiered Penalties
Wisconsin final wages are due on your normal payday regardless of why you left. See the tiered penalty structure and the written-policy PTO test.
Wisconsin Fireworks Laws (2026): Permits, Storage, Penalties
Wisconsin exempts only enumerated novelty items under Wis. Stat. 167.10(1). Everything else needs a permit; violations carry forfeitures up to $1,000 or a felony.
Wisconsin GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Wisconsin makes it a crime to place a GPS tracker on someone else's car and to read the data. Wis. Stat. 940.315 penalties, exceptions, and AirTag rules.
Wisconsin Grandparents' Rights: Michels v. Lyons Sets the Real Standard
Wisconsin's grandparent visitation statute reads like a bare best-interest law, but a 2019 court decision requires clear and convincing evidence. Here is how.
Wisconsin Guardianship Laws: Children, Adults and Alternatives (2026)
How Wisconsin guardianship works: ch. 54 for adults, s. 48.9795 for children, clear and convincing proof, a guardian ad litem, parental POAs and SDM agreements.
Wisconsin Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Understand Wisconsin's hit and run laws: legal obligations after an accident, penalties for leaving the scene, and steps to protect your rights.
Wisconsin Homestead Exemption: Credits, Deadlines and How to Apply
Wisconsin has no homestead exemption on assessed value. How the lottery and gaming credit, Form LC-100, Schedule H and other home credits work, with deadlines.
Wisconsin Identity Theft Laws: Penalties and Treble Damages
Wisconsin identity theft under Statute 943.201 is a flat Class H felony, but civil victims can recover treble damages. Learn the penalties and how to report.