Wis. Assembly passes 12-person jury bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a bill that would require a 12-person jury in every criminal case.

The state Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that the Wisconsin Constitution requires a 12-person jury in all criminal cases and a law providing for a six-person jury in misdemeanor cases was unconstitutional.

The bill eliminates the six-person misdemeanor jury and sets the 12-person requirement for every criminal case unless the parties involved and a judge agree to reduce the number.

The Assembly’s Law Revision Committee, which is controlled by Republicans, introduced the bill. The Assembly passed the measure Tuesday on a voice vote with no debate. It goes next to the state Senate.