Wisconsin Statutes 943.017 – Graffiti
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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Attorney's Note
Under the Wisconsin Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class I felony | up to 3 years 6 months | up to $10,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 9 months | up to $10,000 |
Terms Used In Wisconsin Statutes 943.017
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Following: when used by way of reference to any statute section, means the section next following that in which the reference is made. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Highway: includes all public ways and thoroughfares and all bridges upon the same. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
- Juror: A person who is on the jury.
- Land: includes lands, tenements and hereditaments and all rights thereto and interests therein. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Person: includes all partnerships, associations and bodies politic or corporate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Property: includes real and personal property. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
(1) Whoever intentionally marks, draws or writes with paint, ink or another substance on or intentionally etches into the physical property of another without the other person‘s consent is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) Any person violating sub. (1) under any of the following circumstances is guilty of a Class I felony:
(a) The property under sub. (1) is a vehicle or a highway, as defined in s. 943.01 (2) (a) 1., and the marking, drawing, writing or etching is of a kind which is likely to cause injury to a person or further property damage.
(b) The property under sub. (1) belongs to a public utility or common carrier and the marking, drawing, writing or etching is of a kind which is likely to impair the services of the public utility or common carrier.
(c) The property under sub. (1) belongs to a person who is or was a grand or petit juror and the marking, drawing, writing or etching was caused by reason of any verdict or indictment assented to by the owner.
(d) If the total property affected in violation of sub. (1) is reduced in value by more than $2,500. For the purposes of this paragraph, property is reduced in value by the amount which it would cost to repair or replace it or to remove the marking, drawing, writing or etching, whichever is less.
(e) The property affected is on state-owned land and is listed on the registry under s. 943.01.
(2m)
(a) In this subsection:
1. “Family member” means a spouse, child, stepchild, foster child, parent, sibling, or grandchild.
2. “Witness” has the meaning given in s. 940.41 (3).
(b) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class I felony:
1. Intentionally marks, draws or writes with paint, ink or another substance on or intentionally etches into, or threatens to mark, draw or write on or etch into, any physical property owned by a person who is or was a witness by reason of the owner having attended or testified as a witness and without the owner’s consent.
2. Intentionally marks, draws or writes with paint, ink or another substance on or intentionally etches into, or threatens to mark, draw or write on or etch into, any physical property owned by a family member of a witness or by a person sharing a common domicile with a witness by reason of the witness having attended or testified as a witness and without the owner’s consent.
(3)
(a) In addition to any other penalties that may apply to a crime under this section, the court may require that a convicted defendant perform 100 hours of community service work for an individual, a public agency or a nonprofit charitable organization. The court may order community service work that is designed to show the defendant the impact of his or her wrongdoing. The court shall allow the victim to make suggestions regarding appropriate community service work. If the court orders community service work, the court shall ensure that the defendant receives a written statement of the community service order and that the community service order is monitored.
(b) Any individual, organization or agency acting in good faith to whom or to which a defendant is assigned pursuant to an order under this subsection has immunity from any civil liability in excess of $25,000 for acts or omissions by or impacting on the defendant.
(c) This subsection applies whether the court imposes a sentence or places the defendant on probation.
(d) If the defendant is not placed on probation and the court orders community service work, the court shall specify in its order under this subsection the method of monitoring the defendant’s compliance with this subsection and the deadline for completing the work that is ordered. The court shall inform the defendant of the potential penalties for noncompliance that would apply under s. 973.07.
(4) If more than one item of property is marked, drawn or written upon or etched into under a single intent and design, the markings, drawings or writings on or etchings into all of the property may be prosecuted as a single crime.
(5) In any case under this section involving more than one act of marking, drawing, writing or etching but prosecuted as a single crime, it is sufficient to allege generally that unlawful marking, drawing or writing on or etching into property was committed between certain dates. At the trial, evidence may be given of any such unlawful marking, drawing, writing or etching that was committed on or between the dates alleged.