Bill > SB25

This bill modifies existing legal procedures regarding criminal complaints in cases involving officer-involved deaths, which are defined as deaths that directly result from a law enforcement officer's action or inaction. Currently, district attorneys have discretion in deciding whether to issue criminal complaints, and judges can conduct hearings to determine probable cause if a district attorney declines to do so. The proposed legislation specifically limits a court's ability to issue a criminal complaint against an officer when a district attorney has already determined there is no basis for prosecution. Under the new provision, a court may only issue a complaint if new or previously unused evidence is presented, effectively creating an additional procedural barrier to prosecuting law enforcement officers in deaths arising from their official actions. This bill appears designed to provide additional legal protection for officers by preventing repeated attempts to prosecute in cases where a district attorney has already conducted an initial review and found insufficient grounds for criminal charges.

Justice

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb25