State Democratic Lawmakers Unveil Plans to Eliminate Cash Bail in Wisconsin

Monday, March 20th, 2023 -- 1:01 PM

(AP) Democratic lawmakers unveiled plans Thursday to largely eliminate the use of cash bail in Wisconsin, clashing with Republicans who proposed a constitutional amendment to make it harder for people to get out of jail before trial.

The Democratic proposal, which almost certainly will not pass the Republican-controlled Legislature, would rely on risk assessments to allow most defendants to be released from jail before trial.

Democrats presented the plan as an alternative to a proposed constitutional amendment Republicans placed on the April 4 ballot that would allow judges to consider the criminal histories of people accused of violent crimes when setting bail.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers cannot veto the amendment if it is ratified by a majority of voters next month. The measure's sponsor, Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard, said it will allow judges to set higher bail amounts for people they deem a risk to public safety. But criminal justice advocates warn it could worsen crime rates and increase disparities between rich and poor.

Research on bail shows that people who are detained before trial are more likely to plead guilty, often accepting plea deals to end their detainment, and more likely to be unemployed in the years after their release. It's not uncommon for people to lose their jobs and even their homes while in jail awaiting trial.

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