Criminal Justice (Violent Crime) in Wisconsin

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 145: Relating to: establishing a presumption that persons accused of crimes are eligible for pretrial release and ending cash bail in Wisconsin (first consideration).

This bill proposes amending the Wisconsin Constitution to establish a presumption that people accused of crimes are eligible for pretrial release under reasonable conditions, rather than requiring them to pay cash bail. It would allow courts to deny release only if there is a reasonable basis to believe monetary conditions are necessary to ensure court appearance or protect the community, with stricter rules for violent crimes. The amendment also sets specific time limits for denying release before and after hearings for serious offenses like murder or sexual assault, while requiring courts to use clear and convincing evidence to justify keeping someone detained. This measure would shift the legal standard from requiring proof of dangerousness to prove release is unsafe, placing the burden on prosecutors to overcome the presumption of eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 841: Relating to: sex offender registration for certain crimes.

AB 841 expands Wisconsin's sex offender registration requirements by adding specific sexual assault and child abuse crimes to the list of offenses triggering registration. It updates the legal definition of "sex offense" to include violations of statutes covering crimes like sexual assault of minors, certain predatory acts, and offenses against children under 14. People convicted of these specific crimes will now be required to register as sex offenders, with the exception that the rule applies only when the victim was a minor and the offender was not the victim’s parent. This change directly affects individuals convicted of the newly listed offenses under Wisconsin law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 849: Relating to: defining “direct result” for purposes of the affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking.

AB 849 amends Wisconsin statute 939.46(1m) to define "direct result" for an affirmative defense available to victims of human trafficking. The bill clarifies that victims who commit offenses (like theft or assault) to escape or prevent trafficking under s. 940.302(2) or s. 948.051 may use this defense if the offense has a logical causal connection to the trafficking violation, occurs immediately afterward, and is necessary for escape. It directly affects trafficking victims facing criminal charges for actions taken while escaping exploitation. The law removes the requirement that the trafficking violation must have been prosecuted or convicted for the defense to apply.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 413: Relating to: immunity from prosecution for certain crimes based on assisting a victim of sexual assault, extending the time limit for prosecution of second-degree sexual assault, and the standard for terminating residential residency when tenant is the victim of sexual assault.

SB 413 provides legal immunity for individuals who assist sexual assault victims by calling 911, reporting the assault, or seeking help at a medical facility. It extends the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault prosecutions from 10 to 20 years for specific offenses under state law. The bill also allows tenants who are sexual assault victims to immediately terminate their lease by providing an injunction order, without liability for future rent, and requires landlords to change locks upon request. Additionally, it mandates 20-year storage of sexual assault kits to give victims more time to report incidents. These changes directly affect sexual assault victims, tenants in rental housing, and individuals seeking to assist victims without fear of drug-related charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Renters

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 422: Relating to: the time limitation on prosecution for hiding a corpse.

AB 422 extends the time limit for prosecuting crimes involving hidden bodies. It allows prosecutors to file charges within the standard statute of limitations period or within 6 years after the corpse is discovered or identified, whichever date is later. This directly affects homicide cases where bodies are concealed and discovered years after the crime, giving prosecutors additional time to pursue charges. The bill creates a new provision in state law that applies to cases where the original time limit had not expired when the law took effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 224: Relating to: the rights of sexual assault crime victims.

SB 224 (2026 Legislature) improves communication rights for sexual assault victims who provide forensic evidence kits. The bill requires law enforcement to test kits within a specified timeline and provide victims with clear information about kit status, DNA testing results, and destruction dates upon request. It also mandates that victims be notified of any changes to their case status, including if it's closed or reopened. These provisions directly affect sexual assault victims who submit kits during forensic examinations, ensuring they receive timely updates about their case. The bill focuses on transparency and victim notification without altering legal penalties or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 634: Relating to: the age for marriage and eliminating spousal exceptions for certain sex crimes against children.

SB 634 eliminates a legal exception that previously allowed spouses to avoid prosecution for sexual crimes against minor spouses. It amends statutes (948.09 and 948.093) to remove language stating that sexual assault laws do not apply when the victim is the defendant’s spouse, making it a crime for a spouse to engage in sexual activity with a minor regardless of marriage age. This change directly affects minors who married as children and their spouses, ensuring such acts can now be prosecuted under standard sexual assault laws. The bill also adds a new provision (767.185) allowing minors under 18 to file for divorce.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 19: Relating to: increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty.

AB 19 increases penalties for crimes against elders (60+ years) and adults at risk (a defined term under state law) by raising felony classifications for physical abuse and sexual assault. It requires courts to allow these victims to participate in hearings via phone or video, and allows asset freezes for defendants charged with financial exploitation of such victims. Crucially, the bill states that defendants cannot claim ignorance of the victim’s age or status as a defense. The bill directly affects vulnerable adults, courts handling related cases, and defendants facing charges under these provisions. It amends multiple statutes to implement these changes without creating new offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 124: Relating to: prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty.

AB 124 prohibits individuals convicted of a violent crime from changing their name, with violations punishable as a Class H felony. The bill amends existing state laws to explicitly block all name change requests - whether through court orders or vital records updates - for people with such convictions. This applies to all name change processes, including those for birth records, marriage records, or court-ordered changes. The law does not affect name changes for individuals without violent crime convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 414: Relating to: immunity from prosecution for certain crimes based on assisting a victim of sexual assault, extending the time limit for prosecution of second-degree sexual assault, and the standard for terminating residential residency when tenant is the victim of sexual assault.

AB 414 helps sexual assault victims by creating legal protection for people who assist them (like friends or advocates) from being prosecuted for minor crimes committed while helping. It also extends the time limit for prosecuting second-degree sexual assault cases, giving victims more time to report crimes. Additionally, the bill changes rules for evictions, making it harder for landlords to remove tenants who are sexual assault victims from rental housing. These changes directly affect sexual assault victims, those who support them, and landlords in residential housing situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Renters

All criminal justice bills