(262) 786-7100
Start with a FREE Consultation:
(262) 786-7100
Start with a FREE Consultation:
(262) 786-7100
Get Started

You are only guilty
if you are convicted.®

Fines, Penalties & Defenses for Battery in Wisconsin

If you intentionally harm someone causing physical, bodily harm you could face misdemeanor battery penalties. Under state statute, misdemeanor battery is a Class A misdemeanor, meaning up to 9 months in prison, up to a $10,000 fine or both. In some circumstances, a battery can face severe felony charges in Wisconsin.
Get Started Today
Free Consult

The below is intended for informational use only and does not constitute legal advice or an attorney relationship. If you are facing a criminal charge in Wisconsin please contact a defense lawyer for a free consultation.

Domestic Violence Fines & Penalties

There are three types of battery, varying from least to most serious:

  • Battery – Intentionally causing bodily harm to another without the person’s consent, which is a Class A misdemeanor that can be penalized by up to 9 months confinement and a fine up to $10,000.
  • Substantial Battery – Intentionally causing substantial bodily harm to another, which is a Class I felony punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
  • Aggravated Battery – Causing great bodily harm to another, either with the intent to cause bodily harm (Class H felony) or the intent to cause great bodily harm (Class E felony). A Class H felony can be punished by at most 6 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 and a Class E felony can be punished by at most 15 years in prison and a fine of $50,000 fine.

Our criminal defense attorneys have negotiated multiple felonies down to misdemeanors, non-criminal tickets and outright dismissal of charges. Through negotiation or jury trial, Grieve Law defense attorneys faithfully represent your interests to the fullest under criminal law. Grieve Law LLC has the firearm, criminal defense, drug and DUI attorneys in Waukesha and Milwaukee that surrounding areas trust for powerful results.

What is Misdemeanor Battery?

“Whoever causes bodily harm to another by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that person or another without the consent of the person so harmed is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.” (Wisconsin Statute 940.19(1))

Class A Misdemeanor Battery means causing bodily harm to another person, including an unborn child, intentionally and without the other person’s consent. In order to be convicted of Misdemeanor Battery the State must be able to prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

  1. The defendant caused bodily harm to the victim.
  2. The defendant intended to cause bodily harm to the victim.
  3. The defendant caused bodily harm without the consent of the victim.
  4. The defendant knew that the victim did not consent.

Examples of misdemeanor battery include domestic abuse or a fight resulting in bruises, cuts, and scrapes.

You are only guilty if you are convicted®

Statute of Limitations for Misdemeanor Battery

Statutes of limitations set time limits on how long you have to file a lawsuit or how long the state has to prosecute someone for a crime. These time limits vary from state to state and depend on the individual legal claim or crime. The time period begins on the date the crime or other incident occurs, and once the time period expires, the lawsuit cannot be filed and the defendant cannot be prosecuted. According to Wisconsin Statute 893.57, the statute of limitations for battery is 3 years. This means that you cannot be charged with misdemeanor battery for a fight you were involved in more than 3 years ago.

Legal Defenses for Misdemeanor Battery

There are affirmative legal defenses to the crime of Battery, namely Self-Defense. The law of Self-Defense allows the defendant to threaten or intentionally use force against another only if each of the following conditions are satisfied:

  1. The defendant believed there was an actual or imminent unlawful interference with the defendant’s person.
  2. The defendant believed the amount of force the defendant used or threatened to use was necessary to prevent or terminate the interference.
  3. The defendant’s beliefs were reasonable.

If you have been charged with Misdemeanor Battery, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney with a proven track record of success in the courtroom. There are important nuances in Misdemeanor Battery cases that can make or break your case, and you need a skilled advocate to navigate them properly.

Penalties for Felony Battery in Wisconsin

A felony battery conviction is punishable by a prison sentence and a permanent mark on the defendant’s record. There are three levels of felony battery depending on the severity of the injury caused.

Class I Felony Battery Charges and Penalties

Class I felony means the defendant caused substantial bodily harm (not just bodily harm) with intent and without consent. Substantial bodily harm refers to:

  • Injuries requiring stitches or staples
  • Bone fracture
  • Broken nose
  • Broken or lost tooth
  • Concussion or temporary loss of consciousness, hearing, or sight

Class I felony battery is punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison, and fines up to $10,000.

Class H Felony Battery Charges and Penalties

Class H felony battery causes great bodily harm with the intent to cause harm. Great bodily harm refers to:

  • Substantial risk of death
  • Serious and permanent disfigurement
  • Loss of use or impairment of an organ or appendage

Class H felony battery is punishable by up to 6 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Class E Felony Battery Charges and Penalties

Class E felony battery differs from Class H felony battery in the intent. With Class E, the defendant causes great bodily harm with the intention of causing great bodily harm.

This is the most serious felony battery charge and carries penalties up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.

In any battery case, the severity of the charge depends on what happened to the alleged victim and what the defendant’s intentions were at the time.

Milwaukee Misdemeanor Battery Lawyers Provide Free Legal Consultations

If you or someone you know has been accused of misdemeanor battery or worse, our top rated defense lawyers can reduce the charges or get them dropped entirely. Grieve Law LLC’s misdemeanor defense lawyers have a reputation for winning. When you come to your free legal advice consultation, our defense lawyers listen to every detail of your case, discuss your options, and explain what to expect going forward. Give us a call before your initial appearance in WI, and you’ll be in good hands.

You are only guilty if you are convicted.®

Contact our Milwaukee misdemeanor battery defense lawyers today for a free consultation.

Could You be Facing Felony Charges for your Crime?

You could be facing up to 15 years in state prison and fines up to $50,000 depending on how severe the crime was. Luckily the experienced lawyers at Grieve Law can help you try and reduce your penalties below the maximum charges. 

  • Aggravated Battery – If you’re facing a Class E Felony charge for aggravated battery, you can expect to serve 15 years in prison and pay $50,000 in fines.
  • Strangulation (2nd offense) – If you’ve been charged with strangulation (2nd offense), then you could be facing Class G Felony charges in Wisconsin. A Class G felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000.
  • Strangulation and suffocation – If you’re in trouble for strangulation and/or suffocation you may be charged with a Class H felony in Wisconsin. A class H felony in Wisconsin is punishable by up to 6 years in state prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
  • Aggravated battery causing great bodily harm – Being charged with aggravated battery that caused great bodily harm will result in a Class H felony in Wisconsin. This type of felony is punishable by up to 6 years in state prison with a maximum fine of $10,000.
  • Threatening/stalking – Being charged with threatening/stalking in Wisconsin can result in a Class I felony charge. This type of felony is punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
  • Aggravated battery causing substantial bodily harm – An aggravated battery that causes substantial bodily harm is a crime in Wisconsin that typically gets classified as a Class I felony. A type I felony in Wisconsin in punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
 
 

In Wisconsin, How Long Does a Battery Charge Stay on Your Record?

Battery convictions are punishable by up to a 9 month prison term, up to a $10,000 fine and after the penalty is completed, the Wisconsin misdemeanor would likely remain on your record for life.