AB 1075 changes the age threshold for juvenile court jurisdiction by reclassifying 17-year-olds as adults for criminal prosecution purposes. It amends definitions to define "adult" as 17 years or older (instead of 18) for investigating and prosecuting criminal violations, while keeping 17-year-olds under juvenile court jurisdiction for specific cases. The bill also creates a new funding mechanism to reimburse counties for costs related to 17-year-olds accused of crimes starting in 2026. This directly affects 17-year-olds facing criminal charges and county juvenile justice systems managing their cases.
SB 1018 creates a mandatory one-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of a felony committed with the intent to terrorize, intimidate, or coerce two or more people inside a church. It prohibits probation for these offenses and requires courts to obtain a special verdict confirming the intent to terrorize church occupants. Prosecutors cannot dismiss or amend related charges without court approval, and deferred prosecution programs are banned for such cases. This law directly affects defendants charged with church-targeted violent crimes, prosecutors handling these cases, and courts overseeing sentencing.
This bill increases penalties for individuals convicted of felony crimes targeting church occupants with intent to terrorize or intimidate them. It mandates a minimum one-year prison sentence (with no probation allowed) for such offenses and requires prosecutors to seek court approval before dismissing or amending charges. Additionally, it prohibits deferred prosecution programs for these cases and directs courts to verify the specific intent element during trials. The law applies to any felony where the defendant intended to terrorize two or more people inside a church.
AB 34 prevents courts from allowing criminal complaints against law enforcement officers in officer-involved deaths when a district attorney has already determined there is no basis for prosecution. The bill requires that courts and judges cannot issue complaints unless "new or unused evidence" is presented, effectively barring judicial override of a district attorney's initial decision. This directly affects law enforcement officers involved in such deaths and the legal process for pursuing criminal charges against them. The law applies to cases defined under statute 175.47 (1) (c), limiting judicial action based on a district attorney's prior assessment.
SB 25 would require courts to defer to a district attorney's determination that there is no basis to prosecute a law enforcement officer involved in a death. Specifically, it prohibits judges from issuing criminal complaints against such officers unless new or unused evidence is presented, after the district attorney has already concluded there is no case to pursue. The bill directly affects officers in officer-involved death cases defined under Wisconsin law (s. 175.47 (1) (c)). This change shifts authority from courts to district attorneys in determining whether charges proceed, streamlining the process for cases where prosecutors have already declined to file.
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.
SB 95 changes voting rights restoration rules for people with felony convictions by requiring full payment of all financial obligations - including restitution, fines, costs, and fees - before voting rights are restored. For human trafficking convictions (specifically under sections 940.302(2) or 948.051), courts must order immediate restitution payments, with enforcement options like property execution if unpaid. This affects individuals barred from voting due to felony convictions who have completed sentences but still owe financial penalties. The bill updates two statutes to ensure voting rights restoration is tied directly to resolving all court-ordered financial responsibilities.
AB 29 allows police to seize (impound) vehicles used in specific traffic violations, such as a second speeding offense exceeding 25 mph over the limit, repeated DUI-related violations, or reckless driving. It directly affects drivers convicted of these offenses, requiring vehicles to be held for 90 days unless released earlier through owner request (if they didn’t operate the vehicle during the violation) or court order. Owners can petition a court for immediate release within 30 days if charges are dismissed or if they prove ownership and lack of consent during the violation. If convicted, courts may adjust the impound period, and drivers must cover law enforcement’s reasonable impoundment costs.
SB 76 requires courts to approve any dismissal or amendment of criminal charges for specific "covered crimes" (like domestic abuse violations, certain traffic offenses, or crimes under Chapter 948). Prosecutors must provide reasons for seeking such changes, and courts can only approve if the action aligns with deterring these offenses. The bill also prohibits deferred prosecution agreements for these crimes and mandates annual court reports detailing approved dismissals. This directly affects prosecutors, courts, and defendants charged with the listed offenses.
