25 Crazy Wisconsin Laws Still On The Books In 2025: The Felony You Might Be Committing Right Now
Welcome to Wisconsin, the Dairy State, a place famous for its cheese, beer, and a surprisingly bizarre collection of laws that remain active on the books in late 2025. While many of these statutes are historical relics rarely—if ever—enforced, their continued existence in the state code offers a fascinating glimpse into the state's past legislative priorities, particularly concerning dairy, morality, and public decorum. From felony-level marital indiscretions to highly specific rules about how and when you can serve fake butter, these are the weirdest laws in Wisconsin that could technically still land you in trouble today.
The key to understanding Wisconsin's statutory quirks is recognizing that state laws and local city ordinances operate independently. While the state legislature occasionally updates or repeals outdated laws—a process often championed by current officials like Governor Tony Evers—many local codes linger, turning everyday actions in towns like Racine or La Crosse into technical violations. This article dives into the most current and peculiar laws, complete with their legislative context and the specific statute numbers that confirm their status.
The Dairy State's Bizarre Legislative Obsessions (Statutes Still in Force)
Wisconsin’s identity is inextricably linked to its dairy industry, and this deep connection is codified in laws designed to protect and promote butter and cheese. These statutes are not merely historical footnotes; they are active parts of the Wisconsin Code, often updated as recently as 2024.
1. The Strict, Enforceable Margarine Restrictions (Wisconsin Statute § 97.18)
The most famous and arguably the most actively maintained bizarre law involves margarine, or "oleomargarine." This law is a direct legacy of the infamous "Oleo Wars," a decades-long legislative battle where the powerful dairy lobby fought against the butter substitute. Today, Wisconsin Statute $\S\text{97.18}$ still imposes strict regulations on its use in public settings.
- The Public Eating Place Rule: It is illegal for a public eating place—restaurants, schools, hospitals, and prisons—to serve colored margarine as a substitute for table butter unless the customer specifically orders it.
- The Penalty: Violating this law can lead to a fine of up to \$500 and up to three months of imprisonment for subsequent offenses, according to Statute $\S\text{97.18(6)}$.
- The Historical Context: Wisconsin was one of the last states to lift its complete ban on margarine, which lasted from 1895 until 1967.
2. The Myth of the Apple Pie and Cheese Law
A widely circulated "weird law" claims it is illegal to serve apple pie in a public restaurant without a slice of cheddar cheese. While a fun story, this specific law is a myth. However, it is rooted in a real, equally bizarre piece of legislation.
- The True Origin: The myth stems from the 1935 Laws of Wis., ch. 106, which briefly required restaurants to serve a piece of cheese with *every* meal, not just apple pie. This was another attempt by the dairy lobby to increase consumption.
- The "Highly Pleasing" Standard: Separately, Wisconsin state law does require that all state-produced cheddar cheese and butter be graded and found to be "highly pleasing" to the taste. This is an actual, if subjective, quality control standard.
The Most Shocking Law: A Class I Felony on the Books
Beyond the amusing dairy regulations, Wisconsin retains a criminal law that is far more serious and surprising to modern residents and visitors.
3. Adultery is a Class I Felony (Wisconsin Statute § 944.16)
In a major surprise for many, adultery is still defined as a Class I felony under Wisconsin Statute $\S\text{944.16}$. This law, which dates back to 1849, is one of the most severe morality laws remaining in the state.
- The Definition: The law states that a married person who has sexual intercourse with a person not their spouse is guilty of a Class I felony.
- The Penalty: A Class I felony is punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison and a \$10,000 fine. While prosecutions are virtually nonexistent in modern courts, the statute remains on the books, updated through the 2023-24 legislative session (Wis. Act 47).
- Straying Spouses: This "strict statute for straying spouses" is a powerful example of how 19th-century moral codes persist in the 21st-century legal code.
The Quirkiest Local Ordinances (Town-Specific Rules)
While state statutes apply everywhere, some of the most genuinely bizarre laws are found in the municipal codes of Wisconsin’s smaller cities and towns. These local ordinances were typically passed in response to a specific, long-forgotten public nuisance or local event.
4. The La Crosse Squirrel Worrying Ban (City Ordinance 381)
In the City of La Crosse, you must be careful not to cause undue stress to the local wildlife. An often-cited local rule, sometimes referenced as City Ordinance 381, makes it illegal to "worry a squirrel."
- The Intent: While the exact intent is lost to time, the law is generally interpreted as a ban on harassing, taunting, or chasing the city's gray and fox squirrels.
- Respect the Rodents: The ordinance is a humorous example of how animal welfare shows up in unexpected corners of Wisconsin law.
5. No Waking a Sleeping Person in Racine
If you have a friend or family member who is a heavy sleeper in the City of Racine, be warned: waking a sleeping person can be against the law. This ordinance, which forbids disturbing a person deeply immersed in the land of nod, is another example of a public nuisance law that has simply never been repealed.
6. The Sun Prairie Bicycle Trick and Dog Passenger Rules
The City of Sun Prairie has a few specific rules for its residents, especially those on two wheels.
- No Tricks: It is illegal to practice any tricks while bicycling on city streets. Furthermore, riders must keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the pedals at all times.
- No Dog Passengers: Another Sun Prairie ordinance prevents dog owners from having their dog in tow while riding a bicycle, often misinterpreted as a ban on dogs in cars, but specifically related to being pulled by or carrying a dog on a bike.
Obscure Laws of Public Decency and Commerce
Rounding out the list are several laws that highlight past concerns over public health, commerce, and the appearance of animals.
7. The Prohibition on Selling Dyed Animals
In a nod to animal welfare, Wisconsin law restricts the sale or giving away of dyed chicks, ducklings, or rabbits. This restriction is designed to prevent the cruel practice of coloring young animals for novelty purposes, a law that is still relevant and enforced in various jurisdictions across the state.
8. The Exotic Animal Magnet Law
In contrast to the strict rules on small, dyed pets, Wisconsin is one of the few states that has historically allowed residents to keep a wide variety of exotic animals as pets with minimal regulation. This lack of a comprehensive ban has led to the state being referred to as a "magnet" for wild and unusual animals, a situation that is slowly being addressed with new, more technical 2025 laws.
9. Finding Lost Property Over $3 Must Be Reported
If you are lucky enough to find money or goods with a value of \$3 or more, you are legally obligated to report the find to the authorities. Failing to report lost property could result in a misdemeanor charge, making "finders keepers" a risky proposition in the Badger State.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Wisconsin's Weird Laws
The collection of weird laws in Wisconsin—from the felony status of adultery (Statute $\S\text{944.16}$) to the arcane regulations on margarine (Statute $\S\text{97.18}$) and the local ban on worrying a squirrel in La Crosse—serves as a curious historical archive. While the state's 2025 legislative focus is primarily on technical updates and financial matters, these older statutes persist, reminding us of the state's deep connections to its dairy past, its historical moral codes, and the occasional, hyper-specific public nuisance that once required a legislative solution. For residents and tourists alike, these laws are less of a legal threat and more of a colorful, enduring part of Wisconsin's unique character.
Detail Author:
- Name : Kurtis Hermiston
- Username : hirthe.gisselle
- Email : vnader@walter.net
- Birthdate : 1979-10-01
- Address : 3446 Amari Burg Bernardhaven, ME 96469
- Phone : +1-478-577-2353
- Company : Purdy-Lynch
- Job : Auxiliary Equipment Operator
- Bio : Porro animi omnis illo cum. Aut ut consequuntur eos fugit. Et voluptatem voluptatem ipsam delectus a ut repellat. Vel repudiandae numquam harum culpa quo autem qui.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/blaise.dibbert
- username : blaise.dibbert
- bio : Pariatur et unde voluptate exercitationem et autem. Debitis et vel adipisci illo incidunt.
- followers : 170
- following : 112
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@blaise6207
- username : blaise6207
- bio : Eum ut deserunt tempora blanditiis quibusdam praesentium.
- followers : 1497
- following : 2815
