Wisconsin · Wisconsin Statutes — Criminal Code (Ch. 939–951)
Wis. Stat. (Criminal Code) § 939.47: Necessity
What this law says, in plain English
This statute defines the legal defense of necessity—when natural physical forces cause a person to reasonably believe their act is the only way to prevent imminent public disaster or death/great bodily harm. The defense applies to any crime except first-degree intentional homicide, which is reduced to second-degree.
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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.