Originally Posted by
gpsblake
or this scenario... You are drunk, you hit a cyclist and drive away....
Next day, you turn yourself in, claim you thought you hit a deer, but then found out it was a human.
And you're almost certainly likely to face minor charges... But stay around the scene when you are drunk, and you will face major major charges.
The punishment can be quite severe, and according to the law at hand, one is not required to prove the accused knew they hit a person. If your local prosecutors are not using the punishment afforded to them by law, choose new ones next election:
Originally Posted by https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346/XI/67/1
346.67 Duty upon striking person or attended or occupied vehicle.
(1) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall reasonably investigate what was struck and if the operator knows or has reason to know that the accident resulted in injury or death of a person or in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by a person, the operator shall stop the vehicle he or she is operating as close to the scene of the accident as possible and remain at the scene of the accident until the operator has done all of the following:
(a) The operator shall give his or her name, address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving to the person struck or to the operator or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with; and
(b) The operator shall, upon request and if available, exhibit his or her operator's license to the person struck or to the operator or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with; and
(c) The operator shall render reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident, including transporting, or making arrangements to transport the person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that medical or surgical treatment is necessary or if requested by the injured person.
(2) Any stop required under sub. (1) shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
(3) A prosecutor is not required to allege or prove that an operator knew that he or she collided with a person or a vehicle driven or attended by a person in a prosecution under this section.
(5) Any person violating any provision of s. 346.67 (1):
(a) Shall be fined not less than $300 nor more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both if the accident did not involve death or injury to a person.
(b) May be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both if the accident involved injury to a person but the person did not suffer great bodily harm.
(c) Is guilty of a Class E felony if the accident involved injury to a person and the person suffered great bodily harm.
(d) Is guilty of a Class D felony if the accident involved death to a person.
(e) Is guilty of a felony if the accident involved death or injury to a person.
Originally Posted by https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/939/IV/50
(3) Penalties for felonies are as follows:
(a) For a Class A felony, life imprisonment.
(b) For a Class B felony, imprisonment not to exceed 60 years.
(c) For a Class C felony, a fine not to exceed $100,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 40 years, or both.
(d) For a Class D felony, a fine not to exceed $100,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 25 years, or both.
(e) For a Class E felony, a fine not to exceed $50,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 years, or both.
(f) For a Class F felony, a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 years and 6 months, or both.
(g) For a Class G felony, a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 10 years, or both.
(h) For a Class H felony, a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 6 years, or both.
(i) For a Class I felony, a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and 6 months, or both.