Madison, WI – Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) voted in favor of Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 1, which, if approved by voters in April, would modify the conditions that judges can consider when setting bail. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow judges to set bail based on a broader set of considerations, including whether the individual has a previous record of violent crime and to protect members of the community from serious harm.

“This constitutional amendment would put another tool in the toolbox for our judges to keep violent offenders off our streets,” Rep. Born said. “By allowing judges to consider a history of violent crime and broadening considerations for community safety, they will be given a more expansive picture of the circumstances that need to be considered in order to protect the public.”

The resolution, which passed the State Assembly with bipartisan support, amends the Constitution to allow a judge to consider protection of the community from serious harm when setting conditions for pre-trial release of an accused person. It also allows a judge to impose cash bail on an individual based on circumstances such as an accused person’s previous convictions for violent crimes.

“Wisconsin has experienced sharp increases in homicides for several years and continues to face alarming amounts of violent crime. For months, I have been hearing from concerned constituents about public safety,” Rep. Born added. “This amendment is one more way we can address the trends in crime and keep our communities safer.”

The approval of AJR 1 marks the second passage of the proposed constitutional amendment to modify the considerations for imposing bail. To become law, the amendment must be approved by a majority of Wisconsin voters, and will appear on the ballot in the spring 2023 election in April.

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