Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 419: Relating to: emergency testing of a criminal defendant for certain diseases. (FE)

SB 419 allows courts to order emergency testing for certain diseases (like HIV or STIs) of criminal defendants without their consent in specific cases. It applies when a defendant allegedly committed a crime involving bodily fluids (blood, semen, etc.) that could transmit disease to public safety workers, prosecutors, or correctional staff. The bill requires court approval based on probable cause, mandates immediate disclosure of results to the defendant, and prohibits adding test results to the person's permanent medical record. It also creates new procedures for prosecutors to seek these orders quickly when public safety is at risk. This bill directly affects criminal defendants in cases involving potential disease transmission to protected public safety personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires court approval with probable cause and mandates disclosure to defendant, protecting rights in criminal justice procedures while addressing public safety concerns.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 546: Relating to: authorizing additional circuit court and criminal justice system positions. (FE)

SB 546 expands court capacity in specific Wisconsin counties by adding new judicial branches and related positions. It increases circuit court branches in Kenosha County (from 8 to 9, effective 2028), Brown County (from 8 to 9 in 2027, then to 10 in 2028), and Menominee/Shawano Counties (from 2 to 3, effective 2027). The bill authorizes 4 new circuit judge positions, 4 new court reporter positions, and 30.5 additional assistant district attorney positions across 25 counties to support these expansions. All changes take effect between August 2027 and August 2028, with funding tied to existing state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes new judges, court staff, and prosecutors to expand court capacity in specific counties, directly strengthening criminal justice system resources and efficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 188: Relating to: reduction of penalty surcharge when certain fines or forfeitures reduced. (FE)

SB 188 changes how penalty surcharges are calculated when court fines or forfeitures are reduced. It requires that if a fine is suspended or reduced (in whole or part), the 26% penalty surcharge must be reduced proportionally. This applies to most fines for state law violations or local ordinances, but excludes nonmoving traffic violations, seatbelt offenses, and certain financial responsibility violations. The bill ensures that reduced fines directly lower the surcharge amount, affecting individuals paying fines and courts collecting these fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces financial burden on defendants by requiring proportional surcharge reduction when fines are lowered, aligning with criminal justice reform principles of fairness and reduced recidivism risk.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 380: Relating to: suspension without pay in cases of judicial misconduct or pending final determination in proceedings involving alleged judicial misconduct or permanent disability.

AB 380 requires judges facing allegations of misconduct or permanent disability to be suspended without pay during disciplinary proceedings. It amends statutes to mandate that both final suspensions imposed by the Supreme Court for misconduct and temporary suspensions pending investigations must be without pay. The bill directly affects judges under investigation by the Judicial Commission or facing formal complaints. This policy change clarifies that judges cannot receive salary during these disciplinary processes, applying to all cases involving alleged misconduct or disability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates judicial misconduct suspensions without pay, enhancing court accountability within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 148: Relating to: interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings.

AB 148 allows courts to permit interpreters to provide services remotely via telephone or live video in civil and criminal court proceedings (excluding trials), upon a party's request. This amendment updates statutes to explicitly include remote interpretation as an option for civil cases (via 807.14) and criminal cases (via 967.09), replacing previous restrictions. It directly affects individuals involved in court cases who require language assistance, making it easier to access interpreters without in-person attendance. The bill does not mandate remote interpretation but expands court flexibility in approving it. This change applies to all relevant civil and criminal proceedings where an interpreter is requested.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables remote interpretation access in criminal court, improving language access for defendants and aligning with civil rights protections in justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 331: Relating to: establishing a civil cause of action for civil rights violations.

AB 331 creates a new legal right for individuals who believe their constitutional rights (such as due process or equal protection) were violated by government officials acting under color of law, including police or state employees. It allows victims to sue for damages, court orders to stop violations, and court-ordered attorney fees. The law sets a 6-year deadline to file such lawsuits and applies to both federal and state civil rights violations. It does not apply to cases already covered by existing statutes like 893.80 or 893.82.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil remedy for police/civil rights violations, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 372: Relating to: crime victim notification cards. (FE)

SB 372 creates standardized crime victim notification cards to help victims of crime stay informed about court proceedings involving offenders. The bill requires the director of state courts to design these cards, which victims can complete with their contact information and the offender's details, and send to the relevant court clerk. County courts and victim/witness offices must provide these cards at no cost to victims, and the law protects victim mailing addresses from public inspection under state law. This directly affects crime victims in Wisconsin who need to receive updates about offender sentencing or probation modifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates standardized victim notification cards to enhance victim engagement in court proceedings and protect victim privacy, aligning with victim rights protections in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 514: Relating to: authorizing additional circuit court and criminal justice system positions. (FE)

AB 514 authorizes new circuit court branches and additional judicial staff in Kenosha, Brown, and Menominee/Shawano counties to address growing caseloads. Specifically, it adds a ninth branch in Kenosha County (effective August 2028), a ninth branch in Brown County (effective August 2027) and a tenth branch (effective August 2028), and a third branch in Menominee/Shawano Counties (effective August 2027). The bill also authorizes new circuit judge and court reporter positions for these branches, plus 30.5 additional assistant district attorney positions across 24 counties. These changes are funded through existing state court appropriations and will take effect on the specified dates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes new court branches/staff to address caseloads, directly funding and strengthening court operations within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 80: Relating to: statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets.

Senate Bill 80 provides statutory recognition for specialized treatment courts and commercial court dockets within the state court system. For treatment courts, the bill formally acknowledges various types, such as drug, mental health, and veterans courts, which aim to address underlying issues related to criminal behavior through treatment and multidisciplinary teams to reduce recidivism. For commercial courts, it establishes a framework for handling complex business cases. The bill mandates that certain types of disputes involving business organizations be assigned to these dockets, with specific circuit court judges selected to preside over them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes statutory recognition for treatment courts (drug, mental health, veterans) explicitly aimed at reducing recidivism through rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 510: Relating to: use of certain statements as evidence in prosecution for prostitution.

AB 510 prevents law enforcement or medical providers from using statements about prostitution as evidence in court if a person contacts them to report another crime (like theft or assault) or seek medical care. It applies directly to individuals seeking help for non-prostitution issues, including those reporting on behalf of others. The bill prohibits using any prostitution-related statements obtained during these unrelated contacts in prosecution for prostitution or attempted prostitution. This policy change ensures that people accessing emergency services or reporting other crimes cannot face additional charges based on their initial contact. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its October 2025 introduction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents using prostitution statements made during unrelated contacts (e.g., reporting crimes) as evidence in prostitution prosecutions, protecting individuals from unnecessary criminalization and aligning with civil rights reform in criminal just...95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient access to medical care by preventing use of unrelated prostitution statements in court, encouraging reporting of crimes/seeking care without fear of prosecution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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