summary
Introduced
02/17/2025
02/17/2025
In Committee
06/20/2025
06/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
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 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
This bill creates a new criminal offense of battery or threat to a juror or a juror's family member, which would be classified as a Class H felony. Specifically, the bill defines a "juror" as a person who is or was a grand or petit juror, or a prospective juror who has received a summons for jury service. A "family member" is defined as a spouse, child, stepchild, foster child, parent, sibling, or grandchild. The new law makes it a crime to intentionally cause bodily harm or threaten bodily harm to a juror or a juror's family member if the action is related to the person's service as a juror. The bill also amends multiple existing statutes to incorporate this new criminal offense, including provisions related to background checks, criminal records, sentencing, and other legal contexts. Additionally, the bill allows judges to prohibit a person convicted of a crime from contacting jurors who served in proceedings related to their crime during their sentence or probation period. These changes aim to protect jurors and their family members from potential intimidation or retaliation related to their jury service.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (18)
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)*,
Steve Nass (R),
Van Wanggaard (R),
Eric Wimberger (R),
Last Action
Representative Doyle added as a coauthor (on 01/23/2026)
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/asm/bill/ab26 |
| AB26 ROCP for Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/criminal_justice_and_public_safety/1913705.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB26.pdf |
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