Is prostitution legal in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin prostitution laws make it a crime to pander, solicit, or engage another person in a sexual act in exchange for anything of value. All of those acts are misdemeanors across the state.
Prostitution Laws of Wisconsin
- 944.30: Prostitution
- 944.31: Patronizing prostitutes
- 944.32: Soliciting prostitutes
- 944.33: Pandering
- 944.34: Keeping place of prostitution
944.30: Prostitution
Any person who intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:
(1) Has or offers to have or requests to have nonmarital sexual intercourse for anything of value.
(2) Commits or offers to commit or requests to commit an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another for anything of value.
(3) Is an inmate of a place of prostitution.
(4) Masturbates a person or offers to masturbate a person or requests to be masturbated by a person for anything of value.
(5) Commits or offers to commit or requests to commit an act of sexual contact for anything of value.
944.31: Patronizing prostitutes
Any person who enters or remains in any place of prostitution with intent to have nonmarital sexual intercourse or to commit an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another, masturbation or sexual contact with a prostitute is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
944.32: Soliciting prostitutes
Except as provided under s.948.08, whoever intentionally solicits or causes any person to practice prostitution or establishes any person in a place of prostitution is guilty of a Class H felony.
944.33: Pandering
(1) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:
(a) Solicits anotherto have nonmarital sexual intercourse or to commit an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another, masturbation or sexual contact with a person the solicitor knows is a prostitute; or
(b) With intent to facilitate another in having nonmarital intercourse or committing an act of sexual gratification, in public or in private, involving the sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another, masturbation or sexual contact with a prostitute, directs or transports the person to a prostitute or directs or transports a prostitute to the person.
(2) If the person received compensation from the earnings of the prostitute, such person is guilty of a Class F felony.
(3) In a prosecution under this section, it is competent for the state to prove other similar acts by the accused for the purpose of showing the accused's intent and disposition. 944.34: Keeping place of prostitution Whoever intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a Class H felony:
(1) Keeps a place of prostitution; or
(2) Grants the use or allows the continued use of a place as a place of prostitution.