Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 944.15 (2026)
Public fornication
✓ current as of July 2026
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944.15(1)(1) In this section, “in public” means in a place where or in a manner such that the person knows or has reason to know that his or her conduct is observable by or in the presence of persons other than the person with whom he or she is having sexual intercourse.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14
cases, 1974–2004 · leading case: Zablocki v. Redhail, 434 U.S. 374 (1978).
Zablocki v. Redhail, 434 U.S. 374 (1978). “" Wis. Stat. § 944.15 (1973). [12] The directness and substantiality of the interference with the freedom to marry distinguish the instant case from Califano v.”
Loveridge v. Chartier, 468 N.W.2d 146 (Wis. 1991). “Section 944.15(2), Stats., provides as follows: 944.”
State v. Schmit, 340 N.W.2d 752 (Wis. Ct. App. 1983). “] At the time of the alleged offense the fornication statute, sec. 944.15, Stats., 1981-82, prohibited sexual intercourse between persons not married to one another.”
State v. Comstock, 485 N.W.2d 354 (Wis. 1992). “See also sec. 944.15(2), Stats. 1983-84 (Class A Misdemeanor for sexual intercourse with a minor who is 16-18).”
Van Gorder v. Van Gorder, 327 N.W.2d 674 (Wis. 1983). “, entitled, "Crimes Against Sexual Morality," speaks to misconduct. Sec. 944.20 (3), Stats., prohibits open cohabitation and association with a person known not to be a spouse under circumstances which imply sexual intercourse.”
Suburban Video, Inc. v. City of Delafield, 694 F. Supp. 585 (E.D. Wis. 1988). ““In public” is defined as “in a place where or in a manner such that the person knows or has reason to know that his or her conduct is observable by or in the presence of persons other than the person” with whom he or she is having the sexual relations.”
Baird v. Lynch, 390 F. Supp. 740 (W.D. Wis. 1974). “11 (a fine of between 100 to 500 dollars or imprisonment not to exceed six months or both) is comparable to the punishment for violations of Wisconsin’s fornication statute, § 944.15 (a fine of not more than $200 or imprisonment not to exceed six months or both).”
State v. Riske, 448 N.W.2d 260 (Wis. Ct. App. 1989). “On April 6,1987, Riske was sentenced to one year in the Portage county jail on his plea of no contest to sexual intercourse with a minor of age sixteen or older not his spouse, sec. 944.15(2), Stats. 1985. He was not incarcerated.”
State v. Spanbauer, 322 N.W.2d 511 (Wis. Ct. App. 1982). “, and one count of fornication in violation of sec. 944.15, Stats. Spanbauer was sentenced to two years in prison on the first count and nine months in prison for fornication, the sentences to be served concurrently.”
Burdick v. Miech, 385 F. Supp. 927 (E.D. Wis. 1974). “I will take up each ground seriatim. I. PRIVILEGE AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION The plaintiff claims that the disclosures required by § 52.”
Doe v. Duling, 782 F.2d 1202 (4th Cir. 1986). “Laws, Act 17, § 4; Act 27, § 1790(e), codified at Wis. Stat. § 944.15 (Supp.1985) (modifying prohibition on fornication to include only public acts and acts with persons aged 16-18).”
Czerniak v. City of Milwaukee, 669 F. Supp. 247 (E.D. Wis. 1987). “See §§ 944.15 & 944.17. Based on the reasoning expanded upon above, the Court finds that Higgins' alleged sexual activity took place in “a public place.”
— Wis. Stat. § 944.15(1) — 2 cases
Suburban Video, Inc. v. City of Delafield, 694 F. Supp. 585 (E.D. Wis. 1988). ““In public” is defined as “in a place where or in a manner such that the person knows or has reason to know that his or her conduct is observable by or in the presence of persons other than the person” with whom he or she is having the sexual relations.”
State v. PILTZ, 690 N.W.2d 884 (Wis. Ct. App. 2004).
— Wis. Stat. § 944.15(2) — 3 cases
Loveridge v. Chartier, 468 N.W.2d 146 (Wis. 1991). “Section 944.15(2), Stats., provides as follows: 944.”
State v. Comstock, 485 N.W.2d 354 (Wis. 1992). “See also sec. 944.15(2), Stats. 1983-84 (Class A Misdemeanor for sexual intercourse with a minor who is 16-18).”
State v. Riske, 448 N.W.2d 260 (Wis. Ct. App. 1989). “On April 6,1987, Riske was sentenced to one year in the Portage county jail on his plea of no contest to sexual intercourse with a minor of age sixteen or older not his spouse, sec. 944.15(2), Stats. 1985. He was not incarcerated.”
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