968.17 History
History: 1971 c. 298.
968.17 Annotation
In computing the time within which a search warrant must be returned, the court may exclude the hours between 4:30 Friday and 8 A.M. Monday. Such a delay would not affect the validity of the search. State v. Meier, 60 W (2d) 452, 210 NW (2d) 685.
968.17 Annotation
The trial court erred in suppressing controlled substances and associated paraphernalia seized pursuant to search warrant on the ground that a transcript of testimony upon which the warrant was based was not filed within 5 days of its execution, as required by (2), because: (1) 968.22 provides that no evidence seized under search warrant be suppressed due to technical irregularities not affecting defendant's substantial rights; (2) the 5-day filing requirement is a ministerial duty, a violation of which does not invalidate a search absent prejudice; and (3) there was no prejudice where the transcript was filed approximately 6 weeks prior to the filing of the information, before which defendant was statutorily precluded from making any motion to suppress. State v. Elam, 68 W (2d) 614, 229 NW (2d) 664.
968.18
968.18
Receipt for seized property. Any law enforcement officer seizing any items without a search warrant shall give a receipt as soon as practicable to the person from whose possession they are taken. Failure to give such receipt shall not render the evidence seized inadmissible upon a trial.
968.19
968.19
Custody of property seized. Property seized under a search warrant or validly seized without a warrant shall be safely kept by the officer, who may leave it in the custody of the sheriff and take a receipt therefor, so long as necessary for the purpose of being produced as evidence on any trial.
968.20
968.20
Return of property seized. 968.20(1)
(1) Any person claiming the right to possession of property seized pursuant to a search warrant or seized without a search warrant may apply for its return to the circuit court for the county in which the property was seized or where the search warrant was returned. The court shall order such notice as it deems adequate to be given the district attorney and all persons who have or may have an interest in the property and shall hold a hearing to hear all claims to its true ownership. If the right to possession is proved to the court's satisfaction, it shall order the property, other than contraband or property covered under
sub. (1m) or
(1r) or
s. 951.165, returned if:
968.20(1)(a)
(a) The property is not needed as evidence or, if needed, satisfactory arrangements can be made for its return for subsequent use as evidence; or
968.20(1)(b)
(b) All proceedings in which it might be required have been completed.
968.20(1m)(a)1.
1. "Crime" includes an act committed by a juvenile or incompetent adult which would have been a crime if the act had been committed by a competent adult.
968.20(1m)(b)
(b) If the seized property is a dangerous weapon or ammunition, the property shall not be returned to any person who committed a crime involving the use of the dangerous weapon or the ammunition. The property may be returned to the rightful owner under this section if the owner had no prior knowledge of and gave no consent to the commission of the crime. Property which may not be returned to an owner under this subsection shall be disposed of under
subs. (3) and
(4).
968.20(2)
(2) Property not required for evidence or use in further investigation, unless contraband or property covered under
sub. (1m) or
(1r) or
s. 951.165, may be returned by the officer to the person from whom it was seized without the requirement of a hearing.
968.20(3)(a)(a) First class cities shall dispose of dangerous weapons or ammunition seized 12 months after taking possession of them if the owner, authorized under
sub. (1m), has not requested their return and if the dangerous weapon or ammunition is not required for evidence or use in further investigation and has not been disposed of pursuant to a court order at the completion of a criminal action or proceeding. Disposition procedures shall be established by ordinance or resolution and may include provisions authorizing an attempt to return to the rightful owner any dangerous weapons or ammunition which appear to be stolen or are reported stolen. If enacted, any such provision shall include a presumption that if the dangerous weapons or ammunition appear to be or are reported stolen an attempt will be made to return the dangerous weapons or ammunition to the authorized rightful owner. If the return of a seized dangerous weapon other than a firearm is not requested by its rightful owner under
sub. (1) and is not returned by the officer under
sub. (2), the city shall safely dispose of the dangerous weapon or, if the dangerous weapon is a motor vehicle, as defined in
s. 340.01 (35), sell the motor vehicle following the procedure under
s. 973.075 (4) or authorize a law enforcement agency to retain and use the motor vehicle. If the return of a seized firearm or ammunition is not requested by its authorized rightful owner under
sub. (1) and is not returned by the officer under
sub. (2), the seized firearm or ammunition shall be shipped to and become property of the state crime laboratories. A person designated by the department of justice may destroy any material for which the laboratory has no use or arrange for the exchange of material with other public agencies. In lieu of destruction, shoulder weapons for which the laboratories have no use shall be turned over to the department of natural resources for sale and distribution of proceeds under
s. 29.06.
968.20(3)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
par. (a) or
sub. (1m) or
(4), a city, village, town or county or other custodian of a seized dangerous weapon or ammunition, if the dangerous weapon or ammunition is not required for evidence or use in further investigation and has not been disposed of pursuant to a court order at the completion of a criminal action or proceeding, shall make reasonable efforts to notify all persons who have or may have an authorized rightful interest in the dangerous weapon or ammunition of the application requirements under
sub. (1). If, within 30 days after the notice, an application under
sub. (1) is not made and the seized dangerous weapon or ammunition is not returned by the officer under
sub. (2), the city, village, town or county or other custodian may retain the dangerous weapon or ammunition and authorize its use by a law enforcement agency, except that a dangerous weapon used in the commission of a homicide or a handgun, as defined in
s. 175.35 (1) (b), may not be retained. If a dangerous weapon other than a firearm is not so retained, the city, village, town or county or other custodian shall safely dispose of the dangerous weapon or, if the dangerous weapon is a motor vehicle, as defined in
s. 340.01 (35), sell the motor vehicle following the procedure under
s. 973.075 (4). If a firearm or ammunition is not so retained, the city, village, town or county or other custodian shall ship it to the state crime laboratories and it is then the property of the laboratories. A person designated by the department of justice may destroy any material for which the laboratories have no use or arrange for the exchange of material with other public agencies. In lieu of destruction, shoulder weapons for which the laboratory has no use shall be turned over to the department of natural resources for sale and distribution of proceeds under
s. 29.06.
968.20(4)
(4) Any property seized which poses a danger to life or other property in storage, transportation or use and which is not required for evidence or further investigation shall be safely disposed of upon command of the person in whose custody they are committed. The city, village, town or county shall by ordinance or resolution establish disposal procedures. Procedures may include provisions authorizing an attempt to return to the rightful owner substances which have a commercial value in normal business usage and do not pose an immediate threat to life or property. If enacted, any such provision shall include a presumption that if the substance appears to be or is reported stolen an attempt will be made to return the substance to the rightful owner.
968.20 Annotation
Claimant of property seized has the burden of showing that it is not contraband and is not needed as evidence in a possible retrial. Money may be applied to the payment of counsel fees. Welter v. Sauk County Clerk of Court, 53 W (2d) 178, 191 NW (2d) 852.
968.20 Annotation
Under (1m) (b) term "rightful owner" refers to innocent person who owned firearm or ammunition at time offense was committed. State v. Williams, 148 W (2d) 852, 436 NW (2d) 924 (Ct. App. 1989).
968.20 Annotation
Whether explicit photographs seized during the execution of a search warrant were contraband discussed. In re Return of Property in State v. Benhoff, 185 W (2d) 600, 518 NW (2d) 307 (Ct. App. 1994).
968.20 Annotation
This section applies although a criminal action has not been commenced; the property owner has the burden of moving for the return of the property. Supreme Video, Inc. v. Schulz, 808 F Supp. 1380 (1992).
968.21
968.21
Search warrant; secrecy. A search warrant shall be issued with all practicable secrecy, and the complaint, affidavit or testimony upon which it is based shall not be filed with the clerk or made public in any way until the search warrant is executed.
968.22
968.22
Effect of technical irregularities. No evidence seized under a search warrant shall be suppressed because of technical irregularities not affecting the substantial rights of the defendant.
968.22 Annotation
The incorrect identification of a building's address in the warrant was a technical error and did not render the resulting search unreasonable when the search made was of the building identified by the informant which was otherwise correctly identified in the warrant. State v. Nicholson, 174 W (2d) 542, 497 NW (2d) 791 (Ct. App. 1993).
968.22 Annotation
See also notes to Art. I, sec. 11.
968.23
968.23
Forms. The following forms for use under this chapter are illustrative and not mandatory:
STATE OF WISCONSIN,
.... County.
AFFIDAVIT OR COMPLAINT.
In the .... court of the .... of ....
A. B., being duly sworn, says that on the .... day of ...., A. D., 19.., in said county, in and upon certain premises in the (city, town or village) of .... in said county, occupied by .... and more particularly described as follows: (describe the premises) there are now located and concealed certain things, to wit: (describe the things to be searched for) (possessed for the purpose of evading or violating the laws of the state of Wisconsin and contrary to section .... of the Wisconsin statutes) (or, which things were stolen from their true owner, in violation of section .... of the Wisconsin statutes) (or, which things were used in the commission of (or may constitute evidence of) a crime to wit: (describe crime) committed in violation of section .... of the Wisconsin statutes).
The facts tending to establish the grounds for issuing a search warrant are as follows: (set forth evidentiary facts showing probable cause for issuance of warrant).
Wherefore, the said A. B. prays that a search warrant be issued to search such premises for the said property, and to bring the same, if found, and the person in whose possession the same is found, before the said court (or, before the .... court for .... county), to be dealt with according to law.
(Signed) A. B.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this .... day of ...., 19...
...., Judge of the .... Court.
STATE OF WISCONSIN,
.... County.
SEARCH WARRANT.
In the .... court of the .... of ....
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, To the sheriff or any constable or any peace officer of said county:
Whereas, A. B. has this day complained (in writing) to the said court upon oath that on the .... day of ...., A. D., 19.., in said county, in and upon certain premises in the (city, town or village) of .... in said county, occupied by .... .... and more particularly described as follows: (describe the premises) there are now located and concealed certain things, to wit: (describe the things to be searched for) (possessed for the purpose of evading or violating the laws of the state of Wisconsin and contrary to section .... of the Wisconsin statutes) (or, which things were stolen from their true owner, in violation of section .... of the Wisconsin statutes) (or which things were used in the commission of (or, may constitute evidence of) a crime, to wit: (describe crime) committed in violation of section .... of the Wisconsin statutes) and prayed that a search warrant be issued to search said premises for said property.
Now, therefore, in the name of the state of Wisconsin you are commanded forthwith to search the said premises for said things, and if the same or any portion thereof are found, to bring the same and the person in whose possession the same are found, and return this warrant within 48 hours before the said court (or, before the .... court for .... county), to be dealt with according to law.
Dated this .... day of ...., 19...
...., Judge of the .... Court.
INDORSEMENT ON WARRANT
Received by me ...., 19.., at .... o'clock ....M.
...., Sheriff (or peace officer)
RETURN OF OFFICER
State of Wisconsin
.... Court,
.... County.
I hereby certify that by virtue of the within warrant I searched the within named premises and found the following things: (describe things seized) and have the same now in my possession subject to the direction of the court.
Dated this .... day of ...., 19...
...., Sheriff (or peace officer)
968.24
968.24
Temporary questioning without arrest. After having identified himself or herself as a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement officer may stop a person in a public place for a reasonable period of time when the officer reasonably suspects that such person is committing, is about to commit or has committed a crime, and may demand the name and address of the person and an explanation of the person's conduct. Such detention and temporary questioning shall be conducted in the vicinity where the person was stopped.
968.24 History
History: 1993 a. 486.
968.24 Annotation
Suspicious behavior of driver and passenger justified detention. State v. Goebel, 103 W (2d) 203, 307 NW (2d) 915 (1981).
968.24 Annotation
Defendant's flight from police officer may, using totality of circumstances test, justify warrantless investigatory stop. State v. Jackson, 147 W (2d) 824, 434 NW (2d) 386 (1989).
968.24 Annotation
Actions suggesting to reasonable police officer that individual is attempting to flee is adequately suspicious to support investigatory stop. State v. Anderson, 155 W (2d) 77, 454 NW (2d) 763 (1990).
968.24 Annotation
See note to Art. 1, Sec. 11, citing State v. Richardson, 156 W (2d) 128, 456 NW (2d) 830 (1990).
968.24 Annotation
Terry rule applies once person becomes valid suspect even though encounter was initially consensual; if circumstances show investigation is not complete, suspect does not have right to terminate it. State v. Goyer, 157 W (2d) 532, 460 NW (2d) 424 (Ct. App. 1990).
968.24 Annotation
When a person's activity may constitute either a civil forfeiture or crime, investigative stop may be performed. State v. Krier, 165 W (2d) 673, 478 NW (2d) 63 (Ct. App. 1991).
968.25
968.25
Search during temporary questioning. When a law enforcement officer has stopped a person for temporary questioning pursuant to
s. 968.24 and reasonably suspects that he or she or another is in danger of physical injury, the law enforcement officer may search such person for weapons or any instrument or article or substance readily capable of causing physical injury and of a sort not ordinarily carried in public places by law abiding persons. If the law enforcement officer finds such a weapon or instrument, or any other property possession of which the law enforcement officer reasonably believes may constitute the commission of a crime, or which may constitute a threat to his or her safety, the law enforcement officer may take it and keep it until the completion of the questioning, at which time the law enforcement officer shall either return it, if lawfully possessed, or arrest the person so questioned.
968.25 History
History: 1993 a. 486.
968.25 Annotation
Investigatory stop-and-frisk for sole purpose of discovering suspect's identity was lawful under facts of case. State v. Flynn, 92 W (2d) 427, 285 NW (2d) 710 (1979).
968.25 Annotation
Stop and frisk was not unreasonable search and seizure. State v. Williamson, 113 W (2d) 389, 335 NW (2d) 814 (1983).
968.25 Annotation
This section permits officer to search passenger compartment of vehicle for weapons where individual who recently occupied vehicle is stopped under 968.24 and officer "reasonably suspects that he or another is in danger of physical injury". State v. Moretto, 144 W (2d) 171, 423 NW (2d) 841 (1988).
968.25 Annotation
Terry tempered or torpedoed? The new law of stop and frisk. Lewis. WBB Aug. 1988.
968.255(1)(a)3.
3. Taken into custody under
s. 938.19 and there are reasonable grounds to believe the child has committed an act which if committed by an adult would be covered under
subd. 1. or
2.
968.255(1)(a)4.
4. Arrested for any misdemeanor not specified in
subd. 2., any other violation of state law punishable by forfeiture or any local ordinance if there is probable cause to believe the person is concealing a weapon or a thing which may constitute evidence of the offense for which he or she is detained.
968.255(1)(b)
(b) "Strip search" means a search in which a detained person's genitals, pubic area, buttock or anus, or a detained female person's breast, is uncovered and either is exposed to view or is touched by a person conducting the search.
968.255(2)
(2) No person may be the subject of a strip search unless he or she is a detained person and if:
968.255(2)(a)
(a) The person conducting the search is of the same sex as the person detained, unless the search is a body cavity search conducted under
sub. (3);
968.255(2)(b)
(b) The detained person is not exposed to the view of any person not conducting the search;
968.255(2)(c)
(c) The search is not reproduced through a visual or sound recording;
968.255(2)(d)
(d) A person conducting the search has obtained the prior written permission of the chief, sheriff or law enforcement administrator of the jurisdiction where the person is detained, or his or her designee, unless there is probable cause to believe that the detained person is concealing a weapon; and
968.255(2)(e)
(e) A person conducting the search prepares a report identifying the person detained, all persons conducting the search, the time, date and place of the search and the written authorization required by
par. (d), and provides a copy of the report to the person detained.
968.255(3)
(3) No person other than a physician, physician assistant or registered nurse licensed to practice in this state may conduct a body cavity search.
968.255(4)
(4) A person who intentionally violates this section may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 90 days or both.
