Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB433

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/19/23
• Refer: 9/19/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Bail for criminal defendants who have a previous conviction for bail jumping and Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE)

Impact

This legislative change is designed to enhance accountability and public safety by ensuring those with a history of not appearing in court are subjected to stricter release conditions. The bill also mandates the Department of Justice to collect relevant criminal case data, including information about the charges, the court officials involved, and conditions of release. This data will contribute to annual reports aimed at improving transparency around the bail process and the judicial system's handling of defendants with repetitive offenses.

Summary

Assembly Bill 433 aims to introduce stringent measures regarding bail for defendants with previous convictions for bail jumping. The bill states that if a defendant has such a past conviction, they would be required to secure their release with an appearance bond of at least $5,000. Additionally, those accused of violent crimes with prior convictions for similar offenses would face a minimum bail of $10,000. Definitions of what constitutes a violent crime include serious offenses such as homicide, sexual assault, and human trafficking, thus extending the reach of this legislation to serious offenders.

Contention

The primary points of contention surrounding AB 433 include concerns about the potential implications of imposing higher bail amounts, particularly regarding the rights of defendants. Critics argue that these measures could disproportionately affect low-income individuals who may struggle to meet financial bail requirements, thus perpetuating a cycle of incarceration for minor offenses. Supporters, on the other hand, emphasize the importance of safeguarding public safety and ensuring that individuals with a history of bail jumping are incentivized to appear for court proceedings.