DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) – A new bill proposed by De Pere State Senator Andre Jacque would lower the dollar amount threshold for felony theft in Wisconsin.
As the law stands, theft in Wisconsin doesn’t rise to the level of a felony unless the amount taken is over $2,500, tied for the highest in the country. Jacque says that doesn’t do enough to ward off crime.
“It’s harder to charge felony theft here than in almost any other state,” Jacque told WTAQ. “The impact is on prosecutors not having a full array of charging options for what can be some very serious crimes.”
Jacque says the theft is becoming an issue, not just in Wisconsin, but around the country.
“Grafton has been identified as a hot spot, and obviously, people are aware of what’s been happening on the west coast,” Jacque said. “There you have the smash and grabs, the coordinated retail theft.”
Jacque’s bill would lower the threshold to $1,000, putting it on the same level as neighboring Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan, all with the hope of deterring criminals. The bill is seeking co-sponsors.
