Ryan Clancy, a Democratic Socialist and member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Milwaukee’s 19th District, introduced a bill for circulation today under the guise of saving money that would be reinvested in community solutions, that would essentially cut felony prison sentences in half, releasing the most dangerous felons back onto Wisconsin streets sooner and create a maximum sentence of 25 years for even the most serious of crimes.
The measure, co-sponsored by Reps. Darrin Madison and Supreme Moore-Omokunde would limit the maximum period of confinement for a Class A felony to 25 years, down from life imprisonment. Class A felonies, the most serious category under Wis. Stat. § 939.50, are reserved for the gravest offenses and include first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13.
It would reduce the maximum sentence for Class B felonies from 60 years to 30 years. Those offenses typically involve extremely violent or sexual crimes just below intentional murder, such as first-degree reckless homicide, second-degree intentional homicide, certain first-degree sexual assaults of a child, and armed robbery.
Class C felonies would drop from 40 years to 20 years. Examples include kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, arson of a building, and second-degree reckless homicide in drug-related contexts.
Class D felonies would be cut from 25 years to 12 years and 6 months. Examples include second-degree reckless homicide, hit-and-run causing death, and child enticement.
Class E felonies would be reduced from 15 years to 7 years and 6 months. They include aggravated battery, intentionally causing great bodily harm, robbery of a dwelling, hit-and-run causing great bodily harm, and certain drug possession with intent to deliver.
Class F felonies would be lowered from 12 years and 6 months to 6 years and 3 months. Examples include first-degree reckless endangerment, OWI causing great bodily harm, and stalking with a weapon.
