2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 940 - Crimes against life and bodily security.
940.34 - Duty to aid victim or report crime.

940.34 Duty to aid victim or report crime.

(1)

(a) Whoever violates sub. (2) (a) is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

(b) Whoever violates sub. (2) (b) is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and is subject to discipline under s. 440.26 (6).

(c) Whoever violates sub. (2) (c) is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

(2)

(a) Any person who knows that a crime is being committed and that a victim is exposed to bodily harm shall summon law enforcement officers or other assistance or shall provide assistance to the victim.

(b) Any person licensed as a private detective or granted a private security permit under s. 440.26 who has reasonable grounds to believe that a crime is being committed or has been committed shall notify promptly an appropriate law enforcement agency of the facts which form the basis for this belief.

(c)

1. In this paragraph, “ unlicensed private security person" means a private security person, as defined in s. 440.26 (1m), who is exempt from the permit and licensure requirements of s. 440.26.

NOTE: The cross-reference to s. 440.26 (1m) was changed from s. 440.26 (1m) (h) by the legislative reference bureau under s. 13.92 (1) (bm) 2. to reflect the consolidation and renumbering of s. 440.26 (1m) (intro.) and (h) under s. 13.92 (1) (bm) 2.

2. Any unlicensed private security person who has reasonable grounds to believe that a crime is being committed or has been committed shall notify promptly an appropriate law enforcement agency of the facts which form the basis for this belief.

(d) A person need not comply with this subsection if any of the following apply:

1. Compliance would place him or her in danger.

2. Compliance would interfere with duties the person owes to others.

3. In the circumstances described under par. (a), assistance is being summoned or provided by others.

4. In the circumstances described under par. (b) or (c), the crime or alleged crime has been reported to an appropriate law enforcement agency by others.

(2m) If a person is subject to sub. (2) (b) or (c), the person need not comply with sub. (2) (b) or (c) until after he or she has summoned or provided assistance to a victim.

(3) If a person renders emergency care for a victim, s. 895.48 (1) applies. Any person who provides other reasonable assistance under this section is immune from civil liability for his or her acts or omissions in providing the assistance. This immunity does not apply if the person receives or expects to receive compensation for providing the assistance.

History: 1983 a. 198; 1985 a. 152, 332; 1987 a. 14; 1995 a. 461; s. 13.92 (1) (bm) 2.

This section is not unconstitutional. For a conviction, it must be proved that an accused believed a crime was being committed and that a victim was exposed to bodily harm. The reporting required does not require the defendant to incriminate himself or herself as the statute contains no mandate that an individual identify himself or herself. Whether a defendant fits within an exception under sub. (2) (d) is a matter of affirmative defense. State v. LaPlante, 186 Wis. 2d 427, 521 N.W.2d 448 (Ct. App. 1994).