Wis. Stat. § 971.19 — WI Code / Chapter 971 / Section 971.19
Place of trial.
Status: in_force

(1) Criminal actions shall be tried in the county where the crime was committed, except as otherwise provided.

(2) Where 2 or more acts are requisite to the commission of any offense, the trial may be in any county in which any of such acts occurred.

(3) Where an offense is committed on or within one-fourth of a mile of the boundary of 2 or more counties, the defendant may be tried in any of such counties.

(4) If a crime is committed in, on or against any vehicle passing through or within this state, and it cannot readily be determined in which county the crime was committed, the defendant may be tried in any county through which such vehicle has passed or in the county where the defendant’s travel commenced or terminated.

(5) If the act causing death is in one county and the death ensues in another, the defendant may be tried in either county. If neither location can be determined, the defendant may be tried in the county where the body is found.

(6) If an offense is commenced outside the state and is consummated within the state, the defendant may be tried in the county where the offense was consummated.

(7) If a crime is committed on boundary waters at a place where 2 or more counties have common jurisdiction under s. 2.03 or 2.04 or under any other law, the prosecution may be in either county. The county whose process against the offender is first served shall be conclusively presumed to be the county in which the crime was committed.

(8) In an action for a violation of s. 948.31 , the defendant may be tried in the county where the crime was committed or the county of lawful residence of the child.

(9) In an action under s. 301.45 (6) (a) or (ag) , the defendant may be tried in the defendant’s county of residence at the time that the complaint is filed. If the defendant does not have a county of residence in this state at the time that the complaint is filed, or if the defendant’s county of residence is unknown at the time that the complaint is filed, the defendant may be tried in any of the following counties:

(a) Any county in which he or she has resided while subject to s. 301.45 .

(b) The county in which he or she was convicted, found not guilty or not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect or adjudicated delinquent for the sex offense that requires the person to register under s. 301.45 .

(c) If the defendant is required to register under s. 301.45 (1g) (dt) , the county in which the person was found to be a sexually violent person under ch. 980 .

(d) If the person is required to register only under s. 301.45 (1g) (f) or (g) , any county in which the person has been a student in this state or has been employed or carrying on a vocation in this state.

(10) In an action under s. 23.33 (2h) , 23.335 (5m) , 30.547 , or 350.12 (3i) for intentionally falsifying an application for a certificate of number, a registration, or a certificate of title, the defendant may be tried in the defendant’s county of residence at the time that the complaint is filed, in the county where the defendant purchased the all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, off-highway motorcycle, boat, or snowmobile if purchased from a dealer or the county where the department of natural resources received the application.

(11) In an action under s. 943.201 , the defendant may be tried in the county where the victim or intended victim resided at the time of the offense or in any other county designated under this section. In an action under s. 943.203 , the defendant may be tried in the county where the victim or intended victim was located at the time of the offense or in any other county designated under this section.

(12) Except as provided in s. 971.223 , in an action for a violation of chs. 5 to 12 , subch. III of ch. 13 , or subch. III of ch. 19 , or for a violation of any other law arising from or in relation to the official functions of the subject of the investigation or any matter that involves elections, ethics, or lobbying regulation under chs. 5 to 12 , subch. III of ch. 13 , or subch. III of ch. 19 a defendant who is a resident of this state shall be tried in circuit court for the county where the defendant resides. For purposes of this subsection, a person other than a natural person resides within a county if the person’s principal place of operation is located within that county.

History: 1987 a. 332 ; 1993 a. 98 , 486 ; 1995 a. 440 ; 1997 a. 198 ; 1999 a. 89 ; 2003 a. 36 ; 2007 a. 1 ; 2009 a. 180 ; 2015 a. 89 , 170 ; 2017 a. 365 .