813.02 Temporary injunction; when granted.

(1)

(a) When it appears from a party's pleading that the party is entitled to judgment and any part thereof consists in restraining some act, the commission or continuance of which during the litigation would injure the party, or when during the litigation it shall appear that a party is doing or threatens or is about to do, or is procuring or suffering some act to be done in violation of the rights of another party and tending to render the judgment ineffectual, a temporary injunction may be granted to restrain such act.

(b) Prior to granting a temporary injunction or temporary restraining order, the court may attempt to contact the party sought to be restrained, or his or her counsel if known, by telephone and allow all parties to be heard on the equities between the parties, the availability of other remedies, the damages which may be sustained if the temporary injunction or restraining order is granted, and other relevant matters.

(c) If the court determines that a temporary injunction may be granted under par. (a) to a prisoner, as defined in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 2., in any action or special proceeding with respect to prison or jail conditions, as defined in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 3., the following apply:

1. The court may not issue the injunction until giving notice and an opportunity to be heard on the request for a preliminary injunction to the attorney general, if the case involves a prisoner in a state correctional institution, as defined in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 1., or to the attorney representing the local correctional institution involved and to all other interested parties. Any injunction issued without giving notice and an opportunity to be heard is void.

2. Any temporary injunction issued shall meet the requirements in s. 813.40 (1) (b). When determining what to require in the temporary injunction, the court shall give substantial weight to any adverse impact on public safety or on the operation of the facility involved in the action or special proceeding caused by the temporary injunction.

3. Any temporary injunction issued under this paragraph shall expire no later than 90 days after the day the temporary injunction is issued unless the court makes a finding that the requirements under s. 813.40 (1) (b) are met and makes the order final before the expiration of the 90-day period.

(2) If, after the commencement of any action for waste or to restrain waste, or any action for the recovery of land or the possession or partition thereof or after any real estate has been levied upon by execution, any party to such action or execution shall commit waste or shall threaten or make preparations to commit waste upon the lands, tenements, or anything appertaining thereto, that party may be restrained by injunction from committing any waste or further waste thereto. Such injunction may be issued in any of said actions or in cases of the levy above mentioned by the court from which the execution issued.

(4) No temporary restraining order or injunction shall be issued by any judge or court in any action where it does not appear that the county where the application for such temporary restraining order or injunction is made is within the judicial circuit in which is located the county that is the proper place of trial of the action, and no temporary restraining order or injunction shall issue unless the residence of each defendant is stated if known. Any temporary restraining order or injunction issued in violation of this subsection shall be void.

History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 760; Stats. 1975 s. 813.02; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1993 a. 112, 486; 1995 a. 400; 1997 a. 133.

Judicial Council Note, 1988: Sub. (1) (b) [created] allows the court to attempt to hold a telephone conference prior to granting a temporary injunction or temporary restraining order. The telephone conference procedure minimizes the risk of an improvident injunction and aids the court in fixing a realistic security. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1988]

A trial court does not abuse its discretion in denying a motion for a temporary injunction when it appears that the moving party has not established a reasonable probability it will ultimately prevail in a trial of the issues. Akin v. Kewaskum Community Schools, 64 Wis. 2d 154, 218 N.W.2d 494 (1974).

The purpose of a temporary injunction is to maintain the status quo, not to change the position of the parties, compel acts that constitute the ultimate relief sought, or craft a remedy that the court believes to be equitable. School District of Slinger v. WIAA, 210 Wis. 2d 365, 563 N.W.2d 585 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-3135.

A court may issue a temporary injunction when the moving party demonstrates 4 elements: 1) the movant is likely to suffer irreparable harm if a temporary injunction is not issued; 2) the movant has no other adequate remedy at law; 3) a temporary injunction is necessary to preserve the status quo; and 4) the movant has a reasonable probability of success on the merits. The granting or denial of injunctive relief is a matter of discretion for the circuit court. Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs' Association v. Milwaukee County, 2016 WI App 56, 370 Wis. 2d 644, 883 N.W.2d 154, 15-1577.