(1)
(a) Every pleading, motion or other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall contain the name, state bar number, if any, telephone number, and address of the attorney and the name of the attorney's law firm, if any, and shall be subscribed with the handwritten signature of at least one attorney of record in the individual's name. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall subscribe the pleading, motion or other paper with the party's handwritten signature and state his or her address. Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or statute, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit. The signature of an attorney or party constitutes a certificate that the attorney or party has read the pleading, motion or other paper; that to the best of the attorney's or party's knowledge, information and belief, formed after reasonable inquiry, the pleading, motion or other paper is well-grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification or reversal of existing law; and that the pleading, motion or other paper is not used for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation. If a pleading, motion or other paper is not signed, it shall be stricken unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant. If the court determines that an attorney or party failed to read or make the determinations required under this subsection before signing any petition, motion or other paper, the court may, upon motion or upon its own initiative, impose an appropriate sanction on the person who signed the pleading, motion or other paper, or on a represented party, or on both. The sanction may include an order to pay to the other party the amount of reasonable expenses incurred by that party because of the filing of the pleading, motion or other paper, including reasonable attorney fees.
(b) If the attorney who signed a pleading, motion or other paper without reading the paper or making the determinations required by this subsection is representing a party under a contract made between a 3rd person and the party that requires that representation, and the 3rd person has actual knowledge that the pleading, motion or other paper is not well-grounded in fact or warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification or reversal of existing law or is used to harass, delay or increase the cost of litigation, the court may impose a similar appropriate sanction on the 3rd person.
(c) The requirement of a handwritten signature subscribing pleadings, motions or other papers filed in court may be satisfied by a duplicate, as defined in s. 910.01 (4) , if a handwritten signature appears on the original document and the signing party or his or her attorney retains the original document.
(2) It is not a violation of sub. (1) if a pleading includes as a party a person who is later dismissed from that action, and the party responsible for including that person acted reasonably in doing so and moves for or agrees to a dismissal of that person within a reasonable time after the party knew or should have known that the person was not a proper party to the action.
(3)
(a) A court shall review the initial pleading as soon as practicable after the action or special proceeding is filed with the court if the action or special proceeding is commenced by a prisoner, as defined in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 2.
(b) The court may dismiss the action or special proceeding under par. (a) without requiring the defendant to answer the pleading if the court determines that the action or special proceeding meets any of the following conditions:
1. Is frivolous, as determined under s. 814.025 (3) .
2. Is used for any improper purpose, such as to harass, to cause unnecessary delay or to needlessly increase the cost of litigation.
3. Seeks monetary damages from a defendant who is immune from such relief.
4. Fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
(c) If a court dismisses an action or special proceeding under par. (b) , the court shall notify the department of justice or the attorney representing the political subdivision, as appropriate, of the dismissal by a procedure developed by the director of state courts in cooperation with the department of justice.
(d) The dismissal of an action or special proceeding under par. (b) does not relieve the prisoner from paying the full filing fee related to that action or special proceeding.