Wis. Stat. § 961.555 — WI Code / Chapter 961 / Section 961.555
Section 961.555
Status: in_force

2. The purpose of the statute authorizing the forfeiture.

3. The maximum fine for the offense.

4. The harm that actually resulted from the defendant’s conduct.

(d) In determining whether the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or unconstitutionally excessive, the court may not consider the value of the property to the state.

(4) Action against other property of the person. The court may order the forfeiture of any other property of a defendant up to the value of property found by the court to be subject to forfeiture under s. 961.55 if the property subject to forfeiture meets any of the following conditions:

(a) Cannot be located.

(b) Has been transferred or conveyed to, sold to or deposited with a 3rd party.

(c) Is beyond the jurisdiction of the court.

(d) Has been substantially diminished in value while not in the actual physical custody of the law enforcement agency.

(e) Has been commingled with other property that cannot be divided without difficulty.

(5) Innocent owners.

(a) Notwithstanding sub. (2) (a) , a person who claims to have an ownership interest in property subject to forfeiture as an innocent owner may petition the court for the return of his or her seized property at any time.

(b) A person who has an ownership interest in property subject to forfeiture that exists at the occurrence of the illegal conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and who claims to be an innocent owner has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that he or she has a legal right, title, or interest in the property seized under this chapter.

(c) If the requisite showing under par. (b) has been made, in order to proceed with a forfeiture action against the property, the state has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the person had actual or constructive knowledge of the underlying crime giving rise to the forfeiture.

(d) A person who has an ownership interest in property subject to forfeiture that he or she acquired after the occurrence of the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and who claims to be an innocent owner has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that he or she has a legal right, title, or interest in the property seized under this chapter.

(e) If the requisite showing under par. (d) has been made, in order to proceed with a forfeiture action against the property, the state has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the person had actual or constructive knowledge that the property was subject to forfeiture or that the person was not a bona fide purchaser without notice of any defect in title and for valuable consideration.

(f) If the state does not meet the burden under par. (c) or (e) as to any property, the court shall find that the property is the property of an innocent owner and not subject to forfeiture under this chapter and shall order the state to relinquish all claims of title to the property.

(6) Return of property. The court shall order the return of any property subject to forfeiture under ss. 961.55 to 961.56 within 30 days of acquittal or dismissal of charges for the offense which was the basis of the forfeiture action, or 6 months after a seizure which was the basis of the forfeiture action if no charges have been issued and no extension has been granted. If the property is co-owned by 2 or more defendants in a criminal action, and one or more defendant co-owners are acquitted or the charges against him or her are dismissed, the court shall have discretion to dispose of the co-owned property in accordance with the proportionality guidelines in sub. (3m) as he or she deems appropriate.

(7) Attorney fees. A person who prevails in an action to return property subject to forfeiture under ss. 961.55 to 961.56 may be awarded reasonable attorney fees by the state if the court finds that the forfeiting agency or prosecuting attorney has arbitrarily and capriciously pursued the forfeiture action.

History: 1971 c. 219 ; Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 752 (1975); 1981 c. 113 , 267 ; Sup. Ct. Order, 120 Wis. 2d xiii; 1985 a. 245 ; 1989 a. 121 ; 1993 a. 321 ; 1995 a. 448 s. 306 ; Stats. 1995 s. 961.555; 1997 a. 187 ; 2017 a. 207 s. 5 ; 2017 a. 211 .