Dodge County, WI Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Dodge County Code § 9.03(1)
- Enforcing agency
- Dodge County Sheriff's Office
- Cash deposit
- $50.00 ($200.50 total with fees)
- Officer must
- ask for ID before arrest
- General penalty range
- $5.00-$1,000.00 forfeiture
- Applies in
- unincorporated Dodge County only
Summary
In unincorporated Dodge County, loitering or prowling in a place, time or manner unusual for law-abiding people, under circumstances warranting alarm for safety, is a citable offense. A deputy must first ask the person to identify themselves and explain their presence before any arrest.
No person shall loiter or prowl in a place, at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity. Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether such alarm is warranted is the fact that the person takes flight upon appearance of a police or peace officer, refuses to identify himself or manifestly endeavors to conceal himself or any object. Unless flight by the person or other circumstances makes it impracticable, a police or peace officer shall, prior to any arrest for an offense under this section, afford the person an opportunity to dispel any alarm which would otherwise be warranted by requesting him to identify himself and explain his presence and conduct.
Full Breakdown
03(1) bars loitering or prowling "in a place, at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals" when the circumstances would warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property nearby. The code lists specific red flags a deputy may weigh: fleeing on sight of a police or peace officer, refusing to give a name, or visibly trying to hide oneself or an object. Before making an arrest, the officer must give the person a chance to dispel that alarm by asking who they are and why they are there; if the officer skips that step, or if the person's explanation turns out to be true, a conviction cannot stand.
This built-in safeguard means the section targets suspicious circumstances, not mere presence in a public place. 03 across the unincorporated towns and county-jurisdiction roads, parks and land where no city or village police department has authority. 03(2), covers loitering that physically blocks streets, sidewalks or bridges. 04.
Violations & Fines
The county's fee schedule lists loitering (§ 9.03) with a $50.00 cash deposit, which totals $200.50 once court costs, a 26% penalty surcharge, jail surcharge and other statutory fees are added. If no deposit is made, the general penalty in § 30.04(1)(a) applies: a forfeiture of not less than $5.00 nor more than $1,000.00 plus costs, with jail time of up to 90 days if the forfeiture and costs go unpaid. A second offense within a year raises the range to $10.00-$2,000.00 with up to 6 months of jail exposure for nonpayment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deputy arrest me just for standing on a corner in unincorporated Dodge County?
What does a loitering citation cost in Dodge County?
Does this ordinance apply inside Beaver Dam or Watertown?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dodge County
Compare Dodge County to another location·View the Wisconsin public conduct overview
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