4-5-23 voters pass cash bail amendment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — It will be harder to get out of jail on bail before trial in Wisconsin under an amendment to the state constitution approved by voters on Tuesday. The measure, which appeared as two ballot questions that were approved by wide margins, will let judges consider more factors when setting bail and the conditions of release before trial. Its Republican sponsors say the amendment will keep communities safe, but criminal justice advocates warn it will disproportionately keep poor defendants behind bars. A separate bill passed last month designated more than 100 offenses as violent crimes, raising concerns from opponents who say the amendment will apply too broadly if passed by voters.