MADISON, WI — The Wisconsin Assembly approved a series of criminal justice bills on Thursday, aiming to bolster public safety through stricter penalties and enhanced oversight measures. The move has sparked intense debate between Republican lawmakers, who champion the bills as necessary for community safety, and Democrats, who argue the measures are punitive and fiscally irresponsible.
Key Provisions of the Bills
AB 85: This bill mandates the revocation of probation, parole, or extended supervision for individuals charged with new crimes. Passed by a 53-43 vote, the Department of Corrections estimates it would lead to 6,280 additional revocation cases annually, with a first-year cost increase of $85 million and a permanent $245 million operational cost once fully implemented.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) defended the bill, emphasizing the need to protect victims and hold offenders accountable. “Do you stand with the victim and the public or do you stand with the criminal who has reoffended and given up the privilege that he was briefly granted?” Vos said.
However, Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee) criticized the bill, arguing that it penalizes individuals who have only been charged, not convicted, and exacerbates the state’s prison overcrowding crisis. “It’s wildly irresponsible to even consider increasing penalties and interfering with the very few tools of leniency we have with a prison system holding 5,000 more people than intended,” Clancy stated.
AB 66: Requiring prosecutors to obtain court approval to dismiss certain criminal charges, this bill passed 53-44. Author Rep. Ron Jacobson (R-Rice Lake) asserted that the measure adds transparency and accountability to the justice system. Critics, like Rep. Alex Joers (D-Middleton), argued it undermines prosecutorial discretion.
Increased Penalties for Specific Crimes
- AB 61: Enhances penalties for injuring or killing a police or firefighter animal. Injuring the animal becomes a Class H felony, punishable by up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Killing the animal becomes a Class G felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. This bill passed via voice vote.
- AB 86: Elevates penalties for child sex trafficking involving at least three victims from a Class C felony to a Class A felony, carrying a potential life sentence. This bill also passed via voice vote.
- AB 89: Allows the aggregation of multiple thefts or retail thefts by the same individual into a single crime for sentencing purposes. This bill passed 71-26, with bipartisan support from 18 Democrats.
Democratic Opposition
Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) contended that the bills miss the mark in effectively addressing public safety. “We can use evidence-based, data-driven practices to lower recidivism, save taxpayer dollars, and invest in rehabilitation and treatment to keep our communities safe,” she said.
Clancy echoed these concerns, accusing Republicans of misleading the public. “Lawmakers spent the day considering badly written, badly conceived bills that will harm people and waste public resources,” he remarked.