Waukesha Times

The Wisconsin State Senate has passed Assembly Bill 75, also known as Senate Bill 115, aimed at increasing transparency within the state's criminal justice system. This legislation mandates the Department of Justice to gather and publicly disclose detailed information on how criminal cases are processed.

Senator Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield), a co-author of the bill, highlighted its significance: “The judicial system can be confusing and opaque for many citizens, which is frustrating for those who want to know why the system sometimes is too lenient and who is responsible for those decisions.” He emphasized that the bill will provide public access to crucial information in a searchable format, enhancing accountability throughout the judicial process.

According to the provisions of the amended bill, an annual report will be published by DOJ along with a searchable online database containing key data on criminal cases. The database will detail the county where each case was filed, the assigned prosecutor and court official, charging recommendations from law enforcement agencies, charges filed, any dismissed charges, and case outcomes regarding convictions.

Data retention under this bill will last for ten years. This duration aims to allow public and policy analysts to observe trends in charging decisions, plea agreements, and conviction rates. The goal is to maintain public trust in Wisconsin’s judicial proceedings while discouraging undue leniency toward repeat offenders.

“Wisconsinites deserve to know how justice is being administered and, in some cases, who is responsible for decisions that empower repeat offenders,” Hutton stated. “This bill ultimately empowers citizens to better understand this critical function of government.”

Assembly Bill 75 received unanimous approval in the Senate and now returns to the Assembly for final passage.