Wisconsin § 944.20 - Lewd and lascivious behavior.
Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 944.20 — Lewd and lascivious behavior., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 944.20. Lewd and lascivious behavior.
944.20(1) (1) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor: 944.20(1)(a) (a) Commits an indecent act of sexual gratification with another with knowledge that they are in the presence of others; or 944.20(1)(b) (b) Publicly and indecently exposes genitals or pubic area. 944.20(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a mother’s breast-feeding of her child. 944.20 History History: 1977 c. 173 ; 1983 a. 17 ; 1989 a. 31 ; 1995 a. 165 . 944.20 Annotation “Publicly” is susceptible to a construction that will avoid the question of constitutional overbreadth, by limiting the application of the statute to constitutionally permissible goals of protecting children from exposure to obscenity and preventing assaults on the sensibilities of unwilling adults in public. Reichenberger v. Warren, 319 F. Supp. 1237 (1970).
Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 944.20
What does Wisconsin Statutes § 944.20 cover?
Section 944.20 ("Lewd and lascivious behavior.") is part of the Wisconsin Statutes, the codified statutory law of Wisconsin. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Wisconsin § 944.20?
A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 944.20" (Wisconsin). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Wisconsin law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Wisconsin official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
How does Wisconsin § 944.20 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Wisconsin can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.