Fitzgerald introduces Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) introduced the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act, on Thursday, which would ensure judges and prosecutors have a defendant’s criminal history and bring accountability to bail bonds.

According to the release from Fitzgerald’s office, if the bill is passed and signed, state and local jurisdictions would be able to develop and maintain a public safety report for each defendant charged with a violent offense by using Byrne grant funding. These records would be reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

According to American Bail Coalition Executive Director Jeff Clayton, the legislation introduced by Fitzgerald would ensure judges receive a complete public safety report on each defendant before them.

"This legislation ends that loophole nationally, forcing states to give judges a complete public safety report prior to releasing criminal defendants," Clayton said in a release.

The bill would also define bail bonds as an insurance product, meaning that they must comply with federal insurance fraud laws and background check requirements.

According to Fitzgerald, he introduced the act because of the events that transpired during the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade, in which Darrell Brooks Jr., who was out on a reduced bail, drove through the parade route, killing six people and injuring 62 more.

"Weak bail policies are making our communities less safe. We saw this happen in Waukesha, Wisconsin when a violent criminal was released back into the community before eventually killing 6 beloved community members in the annual Christmas parade," said Fitzgerald, in the release. "I introduced the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act with this tragic incident in mind, to uphold strong bail policies and to keep public safety at the forefront." Fitzgerald’s comments were echoed by fellow Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville).

"The violent criminal who killed six members of our community during a Christmas Parade in 2021 should not have been out on the streets," Steil said in the release. "He had a lengthy criminal history, including previously running over a woman. The attack is a stark reminder of the harm softon-crime policies and lenient prosecutors have in our communities. This bill takes an important step to give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent repeat offenders from endangering others."

Fitzgerald