Wisconsin
Wisconsin Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Privacy Crimes and Penalties (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited November 1, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of November 1, 2026. · 8 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Wisconsin law prohibits capturing or distributing intimate images without consent under Wis. Stat. 942.09, and bans installing or using surveillance devices in private places to observe nude or partially nude people under Wis. Stat. 942.08. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor for unlawful observation to a Class H felony when the victim is a minor.
Wisconsin takes voyeurism and hidden camera offenses seriously, with two primary statutes addressing different aspects of visual privacy violations. Wis. Stat. 942.08 covers invasion of privacy through surveillance in private places, while Wis. Stat. 942.09 specifically targets the capture and distribution of intimate images without consent.
This guide explains both statutes in detail, breaks down the penalties for each type of violation, and covers related issues like hidden cameras in rental properties, non-consensual pornography, and the civil remedies available to victims.
Invasion of Privacy: Wis. Stat. 942.08
What the Statute Prohibits
Wis. Stat. 942.08 defines several types of privacy violations related to observation and surveillance. Under this statute, it is illegal to:
- Knowingly install a surveillance device in any private place, or use a surveillance device to observe in a private place, with the intent to observe any nude or partially nude person without the consent of the person observed (942.08(2)(a))
- Look into a private place that is, or is part of, a public accommodation and in which a person may reasonably be expected to be nude or partially nude, for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification, without the consent of each person present or when no one is present (942.08(2)(b) and (c))
- Enter another person's private property without consent, or a common area of a multiunit dwelling or condominium, and look into an occupied part of someone's dwelling unit, where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and does not consent, for sexual arousal or gratification with intent to intrude on that person's privacy (942.08(2)(d))
The statute defines a "surveillance device" as any device, instrument, apparatus, implement, mechanism, or contrivance used, designed to be used to observe, or capable of observing, the activities of a person, and expressly includes a peephole. This includes cameras, video recorders, smartphones, drones, and any other device capable of capturing or transmitting images.
Definition of "Private Place"
Under Wis. Stat. 942.08(1)(b), a "private place" means a place where a person may reasonably expect to be safe from being observed without his or her knowledge and consent. This definition is broad and is evaluated based on the circumstances. Places that usually fit it include:
- Bathrooms and restrooms (including public restrooms in stalls)
- Bedrooms
- Hotel and motel rooms
- Locker rooms and changing rooms
- Fitting rooms in retail stores
- Medical examination rooms
- Any enclosed space where a person undresses
- Possibly other places, such as a fenced backyard that cannot be seen from public areas, depending on whether a person there could reasonably expect not to be observed
Penalties Under Wis. Stat. 942.08
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Installing or using a surveillance device in a private place with intent to observe a nude or partially nude person (942.08(2)(a)) | Class A Misdemeanor | 9 months jail, $10,000 fine |
| Looking into a public-accommodation private place for sexual arousal/gratification (942.08(2)(b), (c)) | Class A Misdemeanor | 9 months jail, $10,000 fine |
| Entering property or a common area and looking into a dwelling unit for sexual arousal/gratification (942.08(2)(d)) | Class A Misdemeanor | 9 months jail, $10,000 fine |
| Recording or viewing under a person's outer clothing, or a body part not otherwise visible, without consent (Wis. Stat. 942.08(3)) | Class I Felony | 3 years 6 months prison, $10,000 fine |
Observation for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification under Wis. Stat. 942.08(2)(b) or (c) is a Class A misdemeanor, the same as the other violations under sub. (2). The offense is elevated to a Class I felony only if the victim had not attained the age of 18 at the time of the violation, under Wis. Stat. 942.08(4).
Capturing Intimate Representations: Wis. Stat. 942.09
What the Statute Prohibits
Wis. Stat. 942.09 addresses a broader range of visual privacy violations focused on intimate body parts. This statute makes it illegal to:
- Capture a representation that depicts nudity without the knowledge and consent of the person depicted, if the person is in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy
- Capture an "intimate representation" -- a term that includes clothed or covered genitalia or buttocks not otherwise visible to the public -- without the person's consent, when they had a reasonable expectation of privacy (recording or viewing under a person's clothing with no place-based requirement is a separate offense under Wis. Stat. 942.08(3), covered below)
- Possess, distribute, or exhibit an intimate representation that was captured unlawfully, if the person knows or has reason to know how it was captured and the person depicted did not consent (942.09(2)(am)3)
- Post or publish a private representation, meaning an intimate image the depicted person made or shared in confidence, without that person's consent, or make a reproduction of one without consent (942.09(3m)(a))
- Offenses involving minors carry higher penalties and can overlap with child pornography statutes
Defining "Intimate Representation" and "Nudity"
Wis. Stat. 942.09 protects "intimate representations," which include images of a nude or partially nude person, of covered genitals or buttocks that are not otherwise visible to the public, of a person urinating, defecating, or using a feminine hygiene product, and of sexual intercourse or sexual contact. A "nude or partially nude person" includes anyone whose genitals, pubic area, or buttocks are less than fully and opaquely covered, or a female whose breast has less than a fully opaque covering over any portion below the top of the nipple. "Nudity" is borrowed from Wis. Stat. 948.11, which uses the same "below the top of the nipple" line.
Penalties Under Wis. Stat. 942.09
Penalties depend on the specific violation and the age of the victim:
| Offense | Victim Age | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capturing intimate representation without consent | Adult (18+) | Class I Felony | 3.5 years prison, $10,000 fine |
| Capturing intimate representation without consent | Minor (under 18) | Class H Felony | 6 years prison, $10,000 fine |
| Possessing, distributing, or exhibiting an unlawfully captured intimate representation | Adult (18+) | Class I Felony | 3.5 years prison, $10,000 fine |
| Possessing, distributing, or exhibiting an unlawfully captured intimate representation | Minor (under 18) | Class H Felony | 6 years prison, $10,000 fine |
| Posting or publishing a private representation (one shared in confidence) without consent | Adult (18+) | Class A Misdemeanor | 9 months jail, $10,000 fine |
| Posting or publishing a private representation without consent | Minor (under 18) | Class I Felony | 3.5 years prison, $10,000 fine |
The dramatic increase in penalties when the victim is a minor reflects the severity with which Wisconsin treats offenses against children.
2025 Wisconsin Act 34: Synthetic Intimate Representations (Deepfakes)
2025 Wisconsin Act 34 (originating as 2025 SB 33, signed by Governor Tony Evers on October 2, 2025) expanded Wis. Stat. 942.09 to cover AI-generated and synthetic intimate imagery. The Act added:
- Wis. Stat. 942.09(1)(e) defines "synthetic intimate representation" as a representation generated using technological means that uses an identifiable person's face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic to depict an intimate representation, regardless of whether the components are artificial or real, and that is so realistic that a reasonable person would believe it depicts the identifiable person.
- Wis. Stat. 942.09(2)(am)4 makes it a Class I felony (up to 3 years 6 months prison, $10,000 fine) to post, publish, distribute, or exhibit a synthetic intimate representation of an identifiable person with intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate.
This provision is technology-neutral: AI-generated, deepfake, and face-swap intimate imagery all qualify. Note that synthetic intimate representation falls under Wis. Stat. 942.09, not 942.08 (the separate invasion-of-privacy/surveillance-device statute).
The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (2025) makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish intimate images of a person without consent, including AI-generated fakes, and since May 19, 2026 has required online platforms to remove reported images within 48 hours. It does not create a right to sue; a separate federal law, 15 U.S.C. 6851, lets a person sue over the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images.
Common Hidden Camera Scenarios
Hidden Cameras in Rental Properties
Landlords who install hidden cameras in rental units face serious criminal liability. Placing a camera in a bathroom, bedroom, or other private area of a tenant's unit to observe tenants nude or partially nude can violate Wis. Stat. 942.08, and capturing intimate images can also violate 942.09. Tenants who discover hidden cameras should:
- Document the camera with photographs before disturbing it
- Contact local law enforcement immediately
- Contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection if the landlord is a business
- Consult an attorney about civil remedies
- Consider contacting tenant advocacy organizations
Hidden Cameras in the Workplace
Employers generally should not place cameras in areas where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy. A camera in one of these places can lead to criminal charges under Wis. Stat. 942.08 or 942.09 if it is used to observe or record people nude or partially nude, and to civil privacy claims:
- Restrooms and bathrooms
- Locker rooms and changing areas
- Break rooms designated as private
- Nursing rooms for lactating employees
Employers can legally place cameras in common work areas like production floors, hallways, loading docks, and retail sales floors. Hidden cameras in these areas, while legal, may raise employee relations concerns. See our workplace recording page for more detail.
Hidden Cameras in Intimate Settings
Placing a hidden camera to record sexual activity without the knowledge and consent of all participants is a serious crime in Wisconsin. Under Wis. Stat. 942.09, this constitutes capturing intimate representations without consent, which is a Class I felony. If the images are later distributed, additional felony charges apply.
"Upskirting" and Similar Offenses
Wis. Stat. 942.08(3) is Wisconsin's standalone upskirting statute. It is a Class I felony to knowingly install or use a device to intentionally view, broadcast, or record under a person's outer clothing their genitals, pubic area, breast, or buttocks, or to view, broadcast, or record any body part that is not otherwise visible, without that person's consent. This covers:
- Placing a camera under someone's clothing ("upskirting")
- Using a camera angle to see down someone's shirt ("downblousing")
- Using mirrors or other reflective surfaces to view intimate areas
These offenses can be charged regardless of whether the victim was in a public or private place, because Wis. Stat. 942.08(3) has no reasonable-expectation-of-privacy requirement, unlike the surveillance offenses elsewhere in 942.08 and the capturing offense in Wis. Stat. 942.09. Wis. Stat. 942.09's separate "intimate representation" provisions can still apply when images are later captured or distributed under circumstances involving a reasonable expectation of privacy, but the core upskirting offense is charged under 942.08(3).
Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images
Wisconsin's Revenge Porn Protections
Wisconsin addresses non-consensual distribution of intimate images through Wis. Stat. 942.09. Under Wis. Stat. 942.09(3m)(a), a person who posts or publishes a private representation without the depicted person's consent, knowing that the person depicted does not consent, commits a Class A misdemeanor. The offense becomes a Class I felony under 942.09(3m)(am) only if the person depicted had not attained the age of 18 at the time of the violation.
Key elements of this offense include:
- The person depicted did not consent to the distribution (even if they consented to the original creation of the image)
- The distributor knew that the person depicted did not consent to the posting or publication
- The image depicts nudity as defined by the statute
Defenses and Exceptions
Wis. Stat. 942.09(3m)(b) says the posting offense does not apply to:
- A parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the person depicted, if the image is not child pornography and is not posted for sexual arousal, gratification, humiliation, degradation, or monetary or commercial gain
- A law enforcement officer or agent acting in an official capacity in connection with investigating or prosecuting a crime
- A person who posts or publishes a private representation that is newsworthy or of public importance
- An online service or telecommunications provider when the image was provided by a third party
Civil Remedies for Victims
Available Civil Claims
Victims of voyeurism and hidden camera crimes in Wisconsin can pursue multiple civil causes of action:
- Invasion of privacy under Wis. Stat. 995.50. Wisconsin's privacy right is statutory. A victim can sue for an intrusion upon privacy that is highly offensive to a reasonable person in a place a reasonable person would consider private, and for any conduct prohibited by the intimate-image law (942.09) or the sexual extortion law (942.095), whether or not there was a criminal case.
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress. Requires proof that the defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous and caused severe emotional distress.
- Negligent infliction of emotional distress. May apply in cases involving landlords or employers who failed to prevent known surveillance.
Potential Damages
Victims may recover:
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, anxiety, and psychological harm
- Medical and counseling expenses
- Lost wages if the victimization affected employment
- Reputational damages
- Equitable relief, such as an order to stop the conduct, and reasonable attorney fees on a successful claim under Wis. Stat. 995.50 (the privacy statute does not list punitive damages)
Sex Offender Registration
Registration is not automatic for these offenses. Under Wis. Stat. 973.048, a court may order a person convicted under Wis. Stat. 942.08, 942.09, or 942.095 to register as a sex offender under Wis. Stat. 301.45 if it finds the conduct was sexually motivated and that registration is in the interest of public protection. For a 942.09 or 942.095 offense committed before age 21, the court may release the person from registration on successful completion of the sentence. When registration is ordered, it carries significant long-term consequences including:
- Registration with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections
- Community notification requirements
- Reporting of email accounts, websites, and internet user names and profiles (Wis. Stat. 301.45(2)(a)6m)
Related Federal Laws
Federal law also addresses voyeurism and hidden camera offenses:
- 18 U.S.C. 1801 (Video Voyeurism Prevention Act) makes it a federal crime to capture an image of a person's private areas without consent where they expect privacy, but only within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, such as certain federal enclaves, ships, and aircraft.
- 18 U.S.C. 2252 addresses the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, which overlaps with hidden camera offenses involving minors.
More Wisconsin Recording Topics
More Wisconsin Recording Laws
More Wisconsin Laws
- Wisconsin AI Meeting Recording Laws
- Wisconsin Dashcam Laws
- Wisconsin Data Privacy Laws
- Wisconsin Deepfake Laws
- Wisconsin Employee Monitoring Laws
- Wisconsin GPS Tracking Laws
- Wisconsin Police Bodycam Laws
- Wisconsin Smart Glasses Recording Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to put a hidden camera in someone's home in Wisconsin?
Yes. Installing or using a hidden camera in a private place in someone's home with intent to observe a nude or partially nude person without consent violates Wis. Stat. 942.08 (invasion of privacy), which is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine, or a Class I felony if the person observed is under 18. If the camera captures intimate images, it may also violate Wis. Stat. 942.09, which carries felony penalties.
What is the penalty for voyeurism in Wisconsin?
Penalties vary by offense. Installing or using a surveillance device in a private place with intent to observe a nude or partially nude person without consent is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 9 months jail), as is looking into certain private places for sexual arousal or gratification; either becomes a Class I felony if the victim is under 18. Capturing intimate images of an adult without consent is a Class I felony. If the victim is a minor, it becomes a Class H felony (up to 6 years prison).
Is revenge porn illegal in Wisconsin?
Yes. Under Wis. Stat. 942.09(3m)(a), distributing (posting or publishing) a private intimate image of an adult without their consent is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine. If the person depicted is a minor, the offense is elevated to a Class I felony under Wis. Stat. 942.09(3m)(am), punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison.
Can my landlord put cameras in my apartment in Wisconsin?
Not in private areas. A camera placed in your bathroom, bedroom, or living space to observe you nude or partially nude violates Wis. Stat. 942.08, recording you nude or partially nude without consent is a felony under Wis. Stat. 942.09, and a camera in your living space can support a civil invasion-of-privacy claim under Wis. Stat. 995.50. A landlord may install security cameras in common areas of the building, such as hallways, parking lots, and building entrances.
Do I have to register as a sex offender for voyeurism in Wisconsin?
Not automatically. Under Wis. Stat. 973.048, a court may order a person convicted under Wis. Stat. 942.08, 942.09, or 942.095 to register under Wis. Stat. 301.45 only if it finds the conduct was sexually motivated and that registration is in the interest of public protection. Registration carries long-term consequences, including community notification and ongoing reporting duties.
Updates
Added the Class I felony for observing a victim under 18, removed a telephoto example that does not fit the under-clothing offense, and replaced unsupported residency and employment restrictions with the reporting duties Wis. Stat. 301.45 actually imposes on registrants.
We corrected the penalty range in the description (the top tier is a Class H felony, not Class C), replaced a wrong civil statute (895.07) with Wisconsin's actual privacy statute (995.50) and removed the claim of punitive damages under it, fixed the definitions of intimate representation and nudity, separated the felony for sharing unlawfully captured images from the misdemeanor for posting private images, listed the statute's actual exceptions, explained that sex offender registration is discretionary under 973.048, and corrected the TAKE IT DOWN Act dates and the reach of 18 U.S.C. 1801.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected our description of Wisconsin's invasion-of-privacy statute (Wis. Stat. 942.08) to reflect that the surveillance-device offense requires intent to observe a nude or partially nude person, and that the sexual-gratification offenses cover looking into public-accommodation private places and dwelling units.
Corrected the 'upskirting' discussion, which had cited the wrong statute (Wis. Stat. 942.09) for Wisconsin's actual standalone upskirting offense at Wis. Stat. 942.08(3) -- a Class I felony with no place-based privacy requirement -- and added that offense to the penalties table. Filled in a placeholder Public Law number for the TAKE IT DOWN Act (Pub. L. 119-12) and fixed a dead Sex Offender Registry link.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected two overstated penalty errors under Wis. Stat. 942.09: capturing or possessing an intimate representation of a minor is a Class H felony (up to 6 years, $10,000 fine), and non-consensual distribution involving a minor is a Class I felony (up to 3.5 years) -- not the Class C felony (up to 40 years, $100,000) or Class D felony (up to 25 years) the article stated in multiple places. Also corrected Wis. Stat. 942.08: observing someone for sexual arousal or gratification is a Class A misdemeanor like the statute's other observation offenses; the Class I felony elevation is triggered by the victim being a minor, not by the purpose of the observation, and the article's cited subsection 942.08(3)(b) does not exist.
Corrected Wisconsin's non-consensual distribution of intimate images offense (Wis. Stat. 942.09(3m)): distributing a private image of an adult without consent is a Class A misdemeanor, not a felony -- it becomes a Class I felony under 942.09(3m)(am) only when the person depicted is a minor. Also fixed the statutory definition of 'private place' and removed an unsupported 'intent to cause harm' element from the distribution offense description.
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 942: Crimes Against Reputation, Privacy And Civil Liberties
§ 942.08Invasion of privacy.In forcecited in 13 of our articles
(1) In this section: (a) “Nude or partially nude person” means any human being who has less than fully and opaquely covered genitals, pubic area or buttocks, any female human being who has less than a fully opaque covering over any portion of a breast below the top of the nipple, or any male human being with covered genitals in a discernibly turgid state. (b) “Private place” means a place where a person may reasonably expect to be safe from being observed without his or her knowledge and consent. (c) “Surveillance device” means any device, instrument, apparatus, implement, mechanism or contrivance used, designed to be used to observe, or capable of observing, the activities of a person. “Surveillance device” includes a peephole. (2) Except as provided in sub. (4), whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor: (a) Knowingly installs a surveillance device in any private place, or uses a surveillance device to observe in a private place, with the intent to observe any nude or partially nude person without the consent of the person observed.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Cited in 7 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Wisconsin courts have applied Wis. Stat. 942.08 to hidden surveillance of nudity. Gillund v. Meridian Mutual Insurance (2009) concluded that secretly videotaping a houseguest violated 942.08(2) and that, unlike the civil privacy statute, it requires specific intent. State v. Jahnke (2008) described 942.08 as addressing live viewing.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Gillund v. Meridian Mutual Insurance (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin 2009, 323 Wis. 2d 1)✓An uncle secretly videotaped his niece undressed in his home; applying Wis. Stat. 942.08(2) (1999-2000), the court held his admitted conduct violated the criminal invasion of privacy statute even though he was never convicted, so the penal-law exclusion barred coverage.
- State v. Culver (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin 2018, 384 Wis. 2d 222)✓Convicted of posting nude photos of a woman online, Culver attacked the definition of "nude or partially nude person" that the post-or-publish statute borrows from Wis. Stat. 942.08(1)(a); the court declined to analyze it in detail and said it reasonably tracked common usage.
- State v. Jahnke (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin 2008, 316 Wis. 2d 324)“…nces. As the State points out, at least one other statute, Wis. Stat. § 942.08 , our "Peeping Tom" law, addresses live…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wisconsin Smart Glasses Recording Laws, Wisconsin Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Cameras, Surveillance, and Privacy (2026)
§ 942.09Representations depicting nudity.In forcecited in 14 of our articles
(1) In this section: (a) “Captures a representation” means takes a photograph, makes a motion picture, videotape, recording, or other visual or audio representation, or records or stores in any medium data that represents a visual image. (ae) “Consent” means words or overt actions by a person who is competent to give informed consent indicating a freely given agreement to the act. A person who has not attained the age of 18 is incapable of consent. The following persons are presumed incapable of consent but the presumption may be rebutted by competent evidence, subject to the provisions of s. 972.11 (2): 1. A person suffering from a mental illness or defect that impairs capacity to appraise personal conduct. 2. A person who is unconscious or for any other reason is physically unable to communicate unwillingness to an act. (ag) “Intimate representation” means any of the following: 1. A representation of a nude or partially nude person. 2. A representation of clothed, covered, or partially clothed or covered genitalia or buttock that is not otherwise visible to the public. 3. A representation of a person urinating, defecating, or using a feminine hygiene product. 4.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Cited in 12 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):State v. Nelson (2006) gave "reasonable expectation of privacy" in Wis. Stat. 942.09 its ordinary meaning, not the Fourth Amendment test. State v. Jahnke (2008) called that incomplete: the test is whether one reasonably expected not to be recorded nude. State v. Culver (2018) upheld the post-or-publish ban against overbreadth.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Nelson (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin 2006, 294 Wis. 2d 578)✓Nelson secretly videotaped neighbors through their bathroom window from next door. Affirming his 942.09(2)(a) conviction, the court held "reasonable expectation of privacy" has its ordinary meaning under an objective reasonable-person test, not Fourth Amendment case law.
- State v. Culver (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin 2018, 384 Wis. 2d 222)✓Culver posted nude photos of a woman online without her consent and pleaded guilty under 942.09(3m)(a)2. The court rejected his overbreadth and vagueness attacks on the post-or-publish statute, found he lacked standing to raise a Commerce Clause claim, and affirmed.
- State v. Chagnon (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin 2015, 364 Wis. 2d 719)✓Chagnon, a registered sex offender, cut 189 photos of clothed girls out of magazines and pasted them into a notebook. The court held that 942.09(1)(a)'s definition of "captures a representation" does not reach that conduct, and reversed the refusal to dismiss 23 counts.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wisconsin Video Recording Laws: Surveillance, Filming, and Privacy Rules (2026), Wisconsin AI Laws and Regulation (2026), Wisconsin Data Privacy Laws: Breach Notification & Consumer Rights (2026)
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 301: Corrections
§ 301.45Sex offender registration.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
(1d) Definitions. In this section: (a) “Employed or carrying on a vocation” means employment or vocational activity that is full-time or part-time for a continuous period of time exceeding 14 days or for an aggregate period of time exceeding 30 days during any calendar year, whether financially compensated, volunteered or for the purpose of government or educational benefit. (am) “Found to have committed a sex offense by another jurisdiction” means any of the following: 1. Convicted or found not guilty or not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect for a violation of a law of another state that is comparable to a sex offense. 2. Convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect for a violation of a federal law that is comparable to a sex offense. 3. Convicted or found not guilty or not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect in the tribal court of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band for a violation that is comparable to a sex offense. 4. Sentenced or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect by a court martial for a violation that is comparable to a sex offense.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Cited in 52 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Bollig (Wisconsin Supreme Court 2000, 232 Wis. 2d 561)“…be required to register as a convicted sex offender under Wis. Stat. § 301.45 . This statute requires sex offenders t…”
- State v. Smith (Wisconsin Supreme Court 2010, 323 Wis. 2d 377)“…Richard J. Dietz, Judge. The circuit court concluded that Wis. Stat. § 301.45 (2005-06), [2] Wisconsin's sex offend…”
- State v. George E. Savage (Wisconsin Supreme Court 2020, 395 Wis. 2d 1)“…No. 2019AP90-CR requirements of Wis. Stat. § 301.45 and registers an individual on the sex…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wisconsin Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting, Wisconsin Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 895: Damages, Liability, And Miscellaneous Provisions Regarding Actions In Courts
§ 895.07Claims against contractors and suppliers.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(1) Definitions. In this section: (a) “Action” means a civil action or an arbitration under ch. 788. (b) “Association” means a homeowner’s association, condominium association under s. 703.02 (1m), unit owner’s association, or a nonprofit corporation created to own and operate portions of a planned community that may assess unit owners for the costs incurred in the performance of the association’s obligations. (c) “Claim” means a request or demand to remedy a construction defect caused by a contractor or supplier related to the construction or remodeling of a dwelling. (d) “Claimant” means the owner, tenant, or lessee of a dwelling, or an association, who has standing to sue a contractor or supplier regarding a construction defect. (e) “Construction defect,” in those cases when the contractor or supplier has provided a warranty to a consumer, means the definition of “defect” in the warranty. In all other cases, “construction defect” means a deficiency in the construction or remodeling of a dwelling that results from any of the following: 1. Defective material. 2. Violation of applicable codes. 3. Failure to follow accepted trade standards for workmanlike construction.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Cited in 4 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2016
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Chew (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin 2014, 358 Wis. 2d 368)“…ing" in subdivision 2. and the definition of dwelling from Wis. Stat. § 895.07 (l)(h), which is incorporated into the…”
- Solowicz v. Forward Geneva National, LLC (Wisconsin Supreme Court 2010, 323 Wis. 2d 556)“…the Wisconsin Statutes only once, and only in passing, in Wis. Stat. § 895.07 (1)(b). [2] ¶ 79 The court's use of…”
- Cheryl M. Sorenson v. Richard A. Batchelder (Wisconsin Supreme Court 2016, 368 Wis. 2d 140)“…38(4)(b); Wis. Stat. § 766.588(4)(b); and Wis. Stat. § 895.07(1)(j). ¶39 Furthermore,…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wisconsin Self-Defense Law: Retreat and Castle Rules (2027)
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 939: Crimes
§ 939.50Classification of felonies.In forcecited in 17 of our articles
(1) Felonies in the statutes are classified as follows: (a) Class A felony. (b) Class B felony. (c) Class C felony. (d) Class D felony. (e) Class E felony. (f) Class F felony. (g) Class G felony. (h) Class H felony. (i) Class I felony. (2) A felony is a Class A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I felony when it is so specified in the statutes. (3) Penalties for felonies are as follows: (a) For a Class A felony, life imprisonment. (b) For a Class B felony, imprisonment not to exceed 60 years. (c) For a Class C felony, a fine not to exceed $100,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 40 years, or both. (d) For a Class D felony, a fine not to exceed $100,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 25 years, or both. (e) For a Class E felony, a fine not to exceed $50,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 years, or both. (f) For a Class F felony, a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 years and 6 months, or both. (g) For a Class G felony, a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 10 years, or both. (h) For a Class H felony, a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 6 years, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Cited in 95 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Lechner (Wisconsin Supreme Court 1998, 217 Wis. 2d 392)“…ce to the penalty structure the legislature established in Wis. Stat. §§ 939.50 through 939.52. "While the word 'serio…”
- State v. Gerald D. Taylor (Wisconsin Supreme Court 2013, 347 Wis. 2d 30)“…mum term of imprisonment for a Class H felony is six years. Wis. Stat. § 939.50(3)(h)——(i).…”
- State v. Head (Wisconsin Supreme Court 2002, 255 Wis. 2d 194)“…s two-element offense was punishable by life imprisonment. Wis. Stat. § 939.50 (3)(a) (1985-86). ¶ 56. Section 940.0…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: How Long Is a Life Sentence in Wisconsin? (2026 Guide), How Many Years for Second Degree Murder? Sentences by State (2026), Wisconsin Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)
United States Code Title 18
§ 1801Video voyeurismIn forcecited in 81 of our articles
Whoever, in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, has the intent to capture an image of a private area of an individual without their consent, and knowingly does so under circumstances in which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. In this section— the term “capture”, with respect to an image, means to videotape, photograph, film, record by any means, or broadcast; the term “broadcast” means to electronically transmit a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons; the term “a private area of the individual” means the naked or undergarment clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of that individual; the term “female breast” means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola; and the term “under circumstances in which that individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means— circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that he or she could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image of a private area of the individual was being captured; or circumstances in which a…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 53 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Courts have applied 18 U.S.C. 1801 mainly at its edges. United States v. Johnson (2010) read it as Congress's answer to secretly filming nudity on federal property, acquitting on a child exploitation charge instead. EPIC v. Department of Homeland Security (2011) applied the Section 1801(c) law enforcement exception to a TSA scanner claim.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Anthony Helton (Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 2019, 944 F.3d 198)“…from this list of federal offenses is video voyeurism under 18 U.S.C. § 1801. Rather than list this statute as an enu…”
- United States v. Johnson (District Court, W.D. Missouri 2010, 719 F. Supp. 2d 1059)✓A weightlifting coach hid a camera to film minors weighing in nude; acquitting him under the child exploitation statute, the court called that conduct plain video voyeurism under section 1801, but noted the section reaches only federal maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
- Electronic Privacy Information Center v. United States Department of Homeland Security (Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit 2011, 653 F.3d 1)✓Privacy groups challenged TSA body scanners under the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act; the D.C. Circuit held the statute's exception for lawful law enforcement, correctional, or intelligence activity applied to airport screening, so the section 1801 claim failed.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Is It Illegal to Video Record Someone Without Their Consent? (2026), California Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Penalties and Protections (2026), Delaware Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Privacy Protections (2026)
§ 2252Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minorsIn forcecited in 8 of our articles
Any person who— knowingly transports or ships using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce or in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means including by computer or mails, any visual depiction, if— the producing of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; and such visual depiction is of such conduct; knowingly receives, or distributes, any visual depiction using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce or that has been mailed, or has been shipped or transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or which contains materials which have been mailed or so shipped or transported, by any means including by computer, or knowingly reproduces any visual depiction for distribution using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce or in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or through the mails, if— the producing of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; and such visual depiction is of such conduct; either— in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or on any land or building owned by,…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 3,732 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- New York v. Ferber (Supreme Court of the United States 1982, 458 U.S. 747)“…o prohibits dissemination only if the material is obscene. 18 U. S. C. § 2252 (a) (1976 ed., Supp. IV). Two States pr…”
- United States v. X-Citement Video, Inc. (Supreme Court of the United States 1994, 513 U.S. 64)“…depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 18 U. S. C. § 2252 . The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Ci…”
- Osborne v. Ohio (Supreme Court of the United States 1990, 495 U.S. 103)“…rial for the purpose of sale or distribution for sale. See 18 U. S. C. § 2252 (a) (1982 ed.). But Congress did not…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: xAI Sues Grok User Over Alleged AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material, Alabama Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Victim Rights, Kentucky Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Offenses, Penalties, and Protections
Sources and References
- Wis. Stat. 942.08 - Invasion of Privacy(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- Wis. Stat. 942.09 - Representations Depicting Nudity(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- Wis. Stat. 301.45 - Sex Offender Registration(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- Wis. Stat. 939.50 - Classification of Felonies(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- Wisconsin DOC - Sex Offender Registry (SORT)(appsdoc.wi.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 1801 - Video Voyeurism Prevention Act(law.cornell.edu)
- Wisconsin DATCP(datcp.wi.gov).gov
- 2025 Wisconsin Act 34 - Synthetic Intimate Representation (SB 33, signed Oct. 2, 2025)(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- TAKE IT DOWN Act, Pub. L. 119-12 (signed May 19, 2025; platform compliance required as of May 19, 2026) - Federal NCII notice-and-takedown(congress.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 2252 - Child Exploitation Statutes(law.cornell.edu)