MADISON, WIS.( AP ) On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Legislature was scheduled to vote on a bipartisan bill that would make burglary criminal and impose harsher punishments on those who steal cars while brandishing weapons.
The proposal will be sent to Democratic Governor if it is passed by the Assembly. Tony Evers, who has declared his support for the proposal. It was approved by the Senate next month on a 23 to 8 voting. Early this month, Evers signed a Republican-sponsored bill into law to stop irresponsible driving.
After the GOP made the issue of rising crime rates an election problem in the 2022 midterms, the Republican-controlled Legislature moved swiftly this year to enact stricter legal sanctions.
Currently, it is possible to charge someone with operating a car without the owner's's permission if they use or threaten to use force to steal one. That crime would be officially recognized as carjacking under the bill that is up for a vote on Tuesday.
The second-highest point misdemeanor in the state, according to the bill, could result in a sentence of up to 60 years in prison for someone who steals cars while brandishing weapons. Up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to$ 100,000 are the current maximum sentences.
According to the law, those accused of stealing a car forcibly without using any weapons could spend up to 15 years in prison and receive the maximum fine of$ 50,000.
