Wisconsin
Wisconsin Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Privacy Crimes and Penalties (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 15, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 15, 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 using surveillance devices to observe people in private places 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 observe another person without that person's consent in a place where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, by using a surveillance device
- Knowingly install a surveillance device in any place where a person may reasonably be expected to undress, use the toilet, bathe, or engage in sexual activity, without the consent of each person entitled to privacy in that place
- Knowingly observe a person without consent for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification in a place where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy
The statute defines a "surveillance device" as any device, instrument, apparatus, implement, mechanism, or contrivance used, designed to be used, or primarily intended to be used to observe the activities of a person. 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. Courts have recognized the following as private places:
- 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
- A fenced backyard that is not visible from public areas
Penalties Under Wis. Stat. 942.08
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Observing with a surveillance device in a private place | Class A Misdemeanor | 9 months jail, $10,000 fine |
| Installing a surveillance device in a private place | Class A Misdemeanor | 9 months jail, $10,000 fine |
| Observing for sexual arousal/gratification | 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 |
| Second or subsequent offense | Enhanced penalties | Varies based on original classification |
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)
- Distribute or exhibit a representation depicting nudity if the person depicted did not consent to the distribution, and the distributor knows that the person depicted does not consent
- Possess intimate representations of minors (which overlaps with child pornography statutes)
Defining "Intimate Parts" and "Nudity"
The statute defines "intimate parts" as the naked genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of a person. "Nudity" means the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering, or the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any portion below the top of the areola.
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 |
| Distributing intimate representation without consent | Adult (18+) | Class A Misdemeanor | 9 months jail, $10,000 fine |
| Distributing intimate representation of a minor | Minor (under 18) | Class I Felony | 3.5 years prison, $10,000 fine |
| Possessing intimate representation of a minor | Minor (under 18) | Class H Felony | 6 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 (effective May 19, 2026) provides an additional notice-and-takedown remedy for victims of non-consensual intimate imagery deepfakes, requiring online platforms to remove reported content within 48 hours.
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 any private area of a tenant's unit violates both Wis. Stat. 942.08 and potentially 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 may not place cameras in areas where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Surveillance is prohibited in:
- 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
- Using camera technology (such as telephoto lenses) to capture images through windows
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
Several situations may not fall under the statute:
- Images voluntarily shared in a public forum by the depicted person
- Lawful law enforcement activities
- Medical or scientific purposes
- Images of public interest that do not primarily depict nudity
- Constitutionally protected expression (though this defense is narrowly applied)
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 (intrusion upon seclusion). Wisconsin courts recognize this common law tort. The plaintiff must show that the defendant intentionally intruded upon their privacy in a manner that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person.
- 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.
- Civil claims under Wis. Stat. 895.07. Wisconsin provides a civil cause of action for unauthorized capturing or distributing of intimate representations.
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
- Punitive damages in cases of particularly egregious conduct
- Attorney fees and court costs in some circumstances
Sex Offender Registration
Convictions under Wis. Stat. 942.09 may require the offender to register as a sex offender under Wis. Stat. 301.45. The requirement depends on the specific offense and the court's determination. Sex offender registration in Wisconsin carries significant long-term consequences including:
- Mandatory registration with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections
- Community notification requirements
- Residency restrictions near schools and childcare facilities
- Employment restrictions
- Internet reporting requirements
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 intimate areas without consent on federal property.
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to put a hidden camera in someone's home in Wisconsin?
Yes. Installing a hidden camera in someone's home 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. 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. Observing someone in a private place with a surveillance device is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 9 months jail), including when done for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. 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?
No. A landlord cannot place cameras in private areas of your rental unit, including bathrooms, bedrooms, and living spaces. Doing so violates Wis. Stat. 942.08. 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?
It depends on the specific offense. Convictions under Wis. Stat. 942.09 for capturing or distributing intimate images may require sex offender registration under Wis. Stat. 301.45. The court makes this determination based on the circumstances of the offense. Registration carries long-term consequences including community notification and residency restrictions.
Updates
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 Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Cameras, Surveillance, and Privacy (2026), Wisconsin Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent (2026), Wisconsin Laws on Recording in Public: Filming, Photography, and Privacy (2026)
§ 942.09Representations depicting nudity.In forcecited in 13 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 Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 301: Corrections
§ 301.45Sex offender registration.In forcecited in 2 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 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 Laws: Castle Doctrine & Duty to Retreat (2026)
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 939: Crimes
§ 939.50Classification of felonies.In forcecited in 8 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: Wisconsin Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026), How Many Years for Second Degree Murder? Sentences by State (2026), Wisconsin Smart Glasses Recording Laws
United States Code Title 18
§ 1801Video voyeurismIn forcecited in 79 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: Alaska Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: AS 11.61.123 Explained (2026), Arizona Surreptitious Recording & Voyeurism Laws: ARS 13-3019 Penalties (2026), Arkansas Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Defenses (2026)
§ 2252Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minorsIn forcecited in 7 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: Alabama Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Victim Rights, Nevada Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: NRS 200.604 Penalties (2026), xAI Sues Grok User Over Alleged AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
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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)