US.
>> THANK YOU.
Both houses of the legislature
have passed a proposed
constitutional amendment to
change the way cash bail is set
in Wisconsin.
We'll hear from both sides of
this issue, but first, Marisa
Wojcik explains the proposal.
Wisconsin voters may have the
question of bail reform put
before them.
The state Legislature passed a
RESOLUTION THAT COULD GIVE
JUDGES MORE LATITUDE IN DECIDING
IF SOMEONE CHARGED WITH A CRIME
REQUIRES HIGHER BAIL AMOUNTS
WITH STRICTER CONDITIONS OF
RELEASE.
THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF BAIL IS
TO ENSURE SOMEONE ACCUSED OF A
CRIME WILL RETURN TO COURT FOR
TRIAL.
CURRENTLY, THE COURT MUST FOLLOW
CERTAIN CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A
PERSON IS ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE,
AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS THE
ONE THAT REQUESTS BAIL AMOUNTS.
UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, JUDGES WILL
CONSIDER A PERSON'S CRIMINAL
HISTORY AND POTENTIAL THREAT TO
PUBLIC SAFETY WHEN SETTING BAIL.
THIS DEBATE HAS COME TO THE
FOREFRONT AFTER A MAN OUT ON
BAIL TORE THROUGH A DOWNTOWN
WAUKESHA CHRISTMAS PARADE IN HIS
SUV, KILLING SIX PEOPLE AND
INJURING DOZENS MORE.
THE JOINT RESOLUTION MUST BE
TAKEN UP AND PASSED BY THE
LEGISLATURE NEXT SESSION BEFORE
THEY VOTE TO RATIFY THE
INSTITUTION.
IT WAS PASSED LARGELY ALONG
PARTY LINES AND SEEKING A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THE
LEGISLATURE BYPASSES THE