summary
Introduced
01/24/2025
01/24/2025
In Committee
06/20/2025
06/20/2025
Crossed Over
03/18/2025
03/18/2025
Passed
06/30/2025
06/30/2025
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, the crime of battery is defined as intentionally causing another person bodily harm and is a Class A misdemeanor. Under current law, if the battery is a special circumstance battery—for example, the battery is committed against an individual because of the individual’s status as a law enforcement officer, witness in a trial, or juror—the penalty is increased to a Class H felony. Under this bill, a threat or battery against a juror or a threat or battery against a family member of a juror is a Class H felony. Current law also allows a judge, upon sentencing a person for a crime, to LRB-1322/1 MJW:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 5 prohibit the person from contacting a victim of or witness to the person’s crime during any part of the person’s sentence or probation. The bill allows a judge to prohibit a person who is convicted of a crime from contacting, for any part of the person’s sentence or probation, a juror who served at any proceeding related to the person’s crime. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.
AI Summary
Here's a summary of the bill:
This bill modifies existing criminal law to enhance protections for jurors by establishing more serious penalties for threats or battery against jurors or their family members. Specifically, the bill upgrades such offenses from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class H felony, which represents a more significant legal consequence. Currently, battery is defined as intentionally causing bodily harm, but this bill creates additional legal safeguards for jurors by treating threats and physical harm against them or their family members as a more serious criminal offense. Additionally, the bill expands judicial discretion by allowing judges to prohibit individuals convicted of a crime from contacting jurors who served in proceedings related to their case during their sentence or probation period. This provision aims to protect jurors from potential intimidation or retaliation, recognizing the critical role jurors play in the justice system and the potential risks they may face for performing their civic duty. The bill may trigger review by the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties due to its creation of a new crime and revision of existing criminal penalties.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (18)
Steve Nass (R)*,
Van Wanggaard (R)*,
Eric Wimberger (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Robert Donovan (R),
Benjamin Franklin (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Amanda Nedweski (R),
Todd Novak (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Shae Sortwell (R),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Shannon Zimmerman (R),
Last Action
Report correctly enrolled (on 06/30/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb5 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/enrolledbills/2025/REG/SB5.pdf |
| SB5 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety On 3/14/2025 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1909115.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB5.pdf |
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