There are two types of bail jumping charges in Wisconsin: misdemeanor and felony bail jumping. The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and/or a $10,000 fine, and the felony carries a maximum penalty of six years in the Wisconsin state prison system and/or a $10,000 fine.
Bail jumping is defined as the intentional failure to comply with conditions of bail. Common bail conditions include a requirement that the defendant attend all court appearances, keep the court notified of his or her current address, and commit no new crimes while a case is pending. Case-specific bail conditions can also be applied. Often, in crimes alleging violence, no contact with the purported victim will be ordered. In crimes where alcohol is believed to be involved, the court may require the defendant to avoid consuming alcoholic beverages while on bond.
Sometimes, geographical restrictions are placed on a defendant (such as avoiding the street of residence of a potential victim). In the event that a person on bond is caught violating a bond provision, the state has the ability to pursue bail jumping charges. Whether the bail jumping charge is a felony or a misdemeanor depends on the nature of the underlying case for which the person is on bond. If the underlying case is a misdemeanor, then the bail jumping charge would also be a misdemeanor. If the underlying case is a felony, then the bail jumping charge would also be a felony.
