Felony Battery in Wisconsin

Wisconsin law outlines several different battery charges. Of these, felony battery is the most serious. The penalties for felony battery include up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

How is felony battery defined in Wisconsin?

There are three types of felony battery charges in Wisconsin:

• • Aggravated battery with intent to cause great bodily harm – This is the most severe charge. The law states that the perpetrator caused “great bodily harm” with intent to cause “great bodily harm.” “Great bodily harm” includes injuries that result in a serious risk of fatality, cause permanent disfigurement, or cause permanent loss of bodily function as opposed to injuries that cause only temporary pain or illness.
• • Aggravated battery – The law states that the perpetrator caused “great bodily harm” with intent to cause “bodily harm,” meaning the victim’s injuries were greater than intended by the perpetrator. It can also include instances where the perpetrator caused “bodily harm” through actions that created a “substantial risk” of “great bodily harm,” meaning the victim only sustained relatively minor injuries, but the acts of the perpetrator could have caused much more harm than they did.
• • Substantial battery – In this case, the perpetrator caused “substantial bodily harm” with intent to cause “bodily harm.” “Substantial bodily harm” is a category between “bodily harm” and “great bodily harm.” It includes injuries like concussion and loss of consciousness.

What should I do if I’m charged with felony battery?

The charges above may sound confusing, and they are. If you’re facing felony battery charges, reach out to an experienced attorney for help. Your attorney can help you navigate the legal system and build a case that your charges should be reduced or dismissed. Contact the attorneys at Tracey Wood & Associates to start planning your defense.