WI Bar Wisconsin-Specific Law and Subjects 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Wisconsin's Marital Property Act, how is property acquired during marriage classified?
- Separate property unless titled jointly
- Marital property owned equally by both spouses (Correct answer)
- Community property only if registered
- Property of the titled spouse only
Correct answer: Marital property owned equally by both spouses
Wisconsin adopted the Uniform Marital Property Act, classifying property acquired during marriage as marital property owned equally by both spouses.
Question 2: What is the minimum age of criminal responsibility for adult prosecution in Wisconsin?
- 16
- 17 (Correct answer)
- 18
- 14
Correct answer: 17
In Wisconsin, individuals aged 17 and older are prosecuted as adults in circuit court for criminal offenses.
Question 3: Under Wisconsin law, how long does a landlord have to return a security deposit after a tenant vacates?
- 14 days
- 21 days (Correct answer)
- 30 days
- 45 days
Correct answer: 21 days
Wisconsin law requires landlords to return a security deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 21 days of the tenant vacating.
Question 4: What standard of proof is required for a civil commitment in Wisconsin under Chapter 51?
- Preponderance of the evidence
- Clear and convincing evidence (Correct answer)
- Beyond a reasonable doubt
- Probable cause
Correct answer: Clear and convincing evidence
Civil commitment under Wisconsin's Mental Health Act (Chapter 51) requires proof by clear and convincing evidence that the individual meets the statutory criteria.
Question 5: Which doctrine in Wisconsin allows a court to disregard a corporation's separate legal status?
- Alter ego / piercing the corporate veil (Correct answer)
- Business judgment rule
- Respondeat superior
- Vicarious liability
Correct answer: Alter ego / piercing the corporate veil
Wisconsin courts may pierce the corporate veil (alter ego doctrine) when a corporation is used as a shield for fraud or when the corporate form is abused to avoid legal obligations.
Question 6: Under Wisconsin's open meetings law, what must a governmental body do before holding a closed session?
- File a written request with the Governor's office
- Give public notice and convene in open session first, then vote to go into closed session (Correct answer)
- Obtain circuit court approval
- Notify all media outlets 48 hours in advance
Correct answer: Give public notice and convene in open session first, then vote to go into closed session
Under Wis. Stat. § 19.85, a governmental body must give public notice of the meeting, convene in open session, and then vote to close the session before excluding the public.
WI Bar Wisconsin-Specific Law and Subjects 2
Under Wisconsin's Marital Property Act, how is property acquired during marriage classified?