Lawmakers consider penalties for families who aid wanted suspects

By: Eric Heisig//August 6, 2013//

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A bill before the Wisconsin Legislature would allow prosecutors to charge family members who hide or aid wanted suspects from apprehension.

Currently, a wanted person’s spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren are exempt from being charged. But Assembly Bill 274 and Senate Bill 232, if passed, would remove those exceptions.

The Senate bill, sponsored by Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, was introduced Wednesday. The Assembly bill, sponsored by Rep. Garey Bies, R-Sister Bay, was introduced Monday.

The bill also proposes stricter penalties for those who harbor or aid a suspect for more serious crimes, such as those that mandate a life sentence. Currently, a person found guilty faces up to 3-1/2 years in prison. If passed, the bill’s changes would mean a defendant could face up to 10 years in prison.

No change is proposed for those who help or hide those charged with less serious crimes.

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