A party found guilty of contempt for the violation of any injunction granted under ss. 823.09 to 823.15 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than 3 nor more than 6 months or both.
823.12.Punishment for violation of injunction.
Ch. 823: Nuisances · Last amended 1975 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 823.12 punishes contempt for violating any injunction granted under ss. 823.09 to 823.15 with a fine of $200 to $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for 3 to 6 months, or both.
Full Text of Section 823.12
Plain-English Summary
Section 823.12 supplies the penalty that backs up the injunctions this chapter’s disorderly-house and drug-and-gang-house provisions authorize. Anyone found guilty of contempt for violating an injunction granted under ss. 823.09 to 823.15 faces a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 3 nor more than 6 months, or both.
By tying the penalty to the full range of sections from 823.09 through 823.15, this section gives teeth to injunctions issued against bawdyhouses, disorderly houses, and drug or criminal gang houses alike, rather than leaving enforcement to whatever general contempt remedy might otherwise apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if someone violates an injunction issued under this chapter’s nuisance provisions?
Section 823.12 makes that a contempt punishable by a fine of $200 to $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for 3 to 6 months, or both.
Which injunctions does this penalty apply to?
Any injunction granted under ss. 823.09 to 823.15, covering the bawdyhouse, disorderly house, and drug or criminal gang house provisions in that range.
Can a violator face both a fine and jail time?
Yes. Section 823.12 allows a fine, imprisonment, or both for contempt.
What is the minimum fine for violating one of these injunctions?
$200, with a maximum of $1,000, under Section 823.12.
What is the range of possible jail time for this contempt?
Not less than 3 nor more than 6 months in the county jail.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 762 (1975), 782; Stats. 1975 s. 823.12.
Source & verification. Section text and official notes are
reproduced verbatim from the Wisconsin Statutes, published by the
Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau). Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
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