Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires prosecutors to get a court's approval to dismiss certain criminal charges in Wisconsin.

Highlights:

• Requires that a prosecutor must get the court's approval to dismiss or amend a charge if the charge is for any of the following (Sec. 1-13): 

• A crime of domestic abuse or a violation of a domestic violence temporary restraining order or injunction; 

• Theft of an automobile;

• A crime of abuse of an individual at risk or a violation of an individual-at-risk TRO or injunction; 

• First-degree, second-degree, or third-degree sexual assault; 

• A crime against a child;

• Illegal possession of a firearm if the person has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent for, or found not guilty because of mental disease or defect of, committing, soliciting, conspiring, or attempting to commit a violent felony, as defined under current law; or 

• Reckless driving that results in great bodily harm.

• Authorizes that the court may approve the dismissal or amendment of such a charge only if the court finds the action is consistent with the public interest in deterring the commission of these crimes and with the legislature's intent, expressed in this bill, to vigorously prosecute individuals who commit these crimes (Sec. 1-13).

• Authorizes that the court approves any dismissal or amendment in a year, the court must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing each approval (Sec. 1-13).

• prohibits a prosecutor from entering into a deferred prosecution agreement with a defendant if a complaint or information is filed that alleges the person committed any of the same crimes listed in items 1 to 7 above (Sec. 1-13).

Full Bill Text