Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 939 - Crimes — general provisions.
939.632 - Penalties; violent crime in a school zone.

939.632 Penalties; violent crime in a school zone.
(1) In this section:
(a) “School" means a public school, parochial or private school, or tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), that provides an educational program for one or more grades between grades 1 and 12 and that is commonly known as an elementary school, middle school, junior high school, senior high school, or high school.
(b) “School bus" has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (56).
(c) “School premises" means any school building, grounds, recreation area or athletic field or any other property owned, used or operated for school administration.
(d) “School zone" means any of the following:
1. On the premises of a school.
2. Within 1,000 feet from the premises of a school.
3. On a school bus or public transportation transporting students to and from a public or private school or to and from a tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m).
3m. At school bus stops where students are waiting for a school bus or are being dropped off by a school bus.
(e) “Violent crime" means any of the following:
1. Any felony under s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.09 (1c), 940.19 (2), (4) or (5), 940.198 (2) (a) or (c), 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2) or (3), 940.235, 940.305, 940.31, 941.20, 941.21, 943.02, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.23 (1g), 943.32 (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.30 (2) or under s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.
2. The solicitation, conspiracy or attempt, under s. 939.30, 939.31 or 939.32, to commit a Class A felony.
3. Any misdemeanor under s. 940.19 (1), 940.225 (3m), 940.32 (2), 940.42, 940.44, 941.20 (1), 941.23, 941.231, 941.235, or 941.38 (3).
(2) If a person commits a violent crime in a school zone, the maximum term of imprisonment is increased as follows:
(a) If the violent crime is a felony, the maximum term of imprisonment is increased by 5 years.
(b) If the violent crime is a misdemeanor, the maximum term of imprisonment is increased by 3 months and the place of imprisonment is the county jail.
(3)
(a) In addition to any other penalties that may apply to the crime under sub. (2), the court may require the person to complete 100 hours of community service work for a public agency or a nonprofit charitable organization. The court shall ensure that the defendant is provided a written statement of the terms of the community service order. Any organization or agency acting in good faith to which a defendant is assigned under an order under this paragraph has immunity from any civil liability in excess of $25,000 for acts or omissions by or impacting on the defendant.
(b) The court shall not impose the requirement under par. (a) if the court determines that the person would pose a threat to public safety while completing the requirement.
(4) This section provides for the enhancement of the penalties applicable for the underlying crime. The court shall direct that the trier of fact find a special verdict as to all of the issues specified in sub. (2).
History: 1995 a. 22; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 277; 2007 a. 116, 127; 2009 a. 180, 302; 2015 a. 149, 366; 2021 a. 76.
The violent crime in a school zone penalty enhancer is not unconstitutional as applied to the defendant. The legislature seeks to deter violent crime near schools in an effort to create a safety zone around schools. The 1,000-foot perimeter is a reasonable distance to try to accomplish this legislative goal. State v. Quintana, 2007 WI App 29, 299 Wis. 2d 234, 729 N.W.2d 776, 06-0499.

Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations