Chapter 950

950.02(4g) (4g) “Victim advocate” has the meaning given in s. 905.045 (1) (e).

950.02(4m) (4m) “Victim and witness office” means an organization or program that provides services for which the county receives reimbursement under this chapter.

950.02(5) (5) “Witness” means any person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not any action or proceeding has yet been commenced.

950.02 History History: 1979 c. 219; 1983 a. 197; 1985 a. 311; 1995 a. 77, 310; 1997 a. 35, 181; 1999 a. 32; 2005 a. 387, 419; 2015 a. 351.

950.03 950.03 Eligibility of victims. A victim has the rights and is eligible for the services under this chapter only if the crime has been reported to law enforcement authorities.

950.03 History History: 1979 c. 219; 1991 a. 159.

950.04 950.04 Basic bill of rights for victims and witnesses.

950.04(1v) (1v) Rights of victims. Victims of crimes have the following rights:

950.04(1v)(ag) (ag) To be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect for his or her privacy by public officials, employees, or agencies. This paragraph does not impair the right or duty of a public official or employee to conduct his or her official duties reasonably and in good faith.

950.04(1v)(ar) (ar) To have his or her interest considered when the court is deciding whether to grant a continuance in the case, as provided under ss. 938.315 (2) and 971.10 (3) (b) 3.

950.04(1v)(b) (b) To attend court proceedings in the case, subject to ss. 906.15 and 938.299 (1). The court may require the victim to exercise his or her right under this paragraph using telephone or live audiovisual means, if available, if the victim is under arrest, incarcerated, imprisoned or otherwise detained by any law enforcement agency or is admitted or committed on an inpatient basis to a treatment facility under ch. 51, 971 or 980, and the victim does not have a person specified in s. 950.02 (4) (a) 3. to exercise the victim’s right under this paragraph.

950.04(1v)(bm) (bm) To be provided with appropriate intercession services to ensure that employers of victims will cooperate with the criminal justice process and the juvenile justice process in order to minimize an employee’s loss of pay and other benefits resulting from court appearances.

950.04(1v)(c) (c) To be accompanied by a service representative, as provided under s. 895.45.

950.04(1v)(d) (d) To request an order for, and to be given the results of, testing to determine the presence of a communicable disease, as provided under ss. 938.296 or 968.38.

950.04(1v)(dL) (dL) To not be the subject of a law enforcement officer’s or district attorney’s order, request, or suggestion that he or she submit to a test using a lie detector, as defined in s. 111.37 (1) (b), if he or she claims to have been the victim of a sexual assault under s. 940.22 (2), 940.225, 948.02 (1) or (2), or 948.085, except as permitted under s. 968.265.

950.04(1v)(do) (do) To be informed about the process by which he or she may file a complaint under s. 968.02 or 968.26 (2) and about the process of an inquest under s. 979.05 if he or she is the victim of an officer-involved death, as defined in s. 175.47 (1) (c).

950.04(1v)(dr) (dr) To not have his or her personal identifiers, as defined in s. 85.103 (1) and including an electronic mail address, used or disclosed by a public official, employee, or agency for a purpose that is unrelated to the official responsibilities of the official, employee, or agency.

950.04(1v)(e) (e) To be provided a waiting area under ss. 938.2965 and 967.10.

950.04(1v)(em) (em) To have his or her interests considered by the court in determining whether to exclude persons from a preliminary hearing, as provided under s. 970.03 (4).

950.04(1v)(er) (er) To not be compelled to submit to a pretrial interview or deposition by a defendant or his or her attorney as provided under s. 971.23 (6c).

950.04(1v)(f) (f) To have the parole commission make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim of applications for parole, as provided under s. 304.06 (1).

950.04(1v)(g) (g) To have reasonable attempts made to notify the victim of hearings or court proceedings, as provided under ss. 302.113 (9g) (g) 2., 302.114 (6), 938.27 (4m) and (6), 938.273 (2), 971.095 (3) and 972.14 (3) (b).

950.04(1v)(gm) (gm) To have reasonable attempts made to notify the victim of petitions for sentence adjustment as provided under s. 973.09 (3m), 973.195 (1r) (d), or 973.198.

950.04(1v)(i) (i) To have, at his or her request, the opportunity to consult with intake workers, district attorneys and corporation counsel in cases under ch. 938, as provided under ss. 938.245 (1m), 938.265 and 938.32 (1) (am).

950.04(1v)(j) (j) To have, at his or her request, the opportunity to consult with the prosecution in a case brought in a court of criminal jurisdiction, as provided under s. 971.095 (2).

950.04(1v)(k) (k) To a speedy disposition of the case in which they are involved as a victim in order to minimize the length of time they must endure the stress of their responsibilities in connection with the matter.

950.04(1v)(L) (L) To have the district attorney or corporation counsel, whichever is applicable, make a reasonable attempt to contact the victim concerning the victim’s right to make a statement, as provided under ss. 938.32 (1) (b) 2., 938.335 (3m) (b) and 972.14 (3) (b).

950.04(1v)(m) (m) To provide statements concerning sentencing, disposition, or parole, as provided under ss. 304.06 (1) (e), 938.32 (1) (b) 1g., 938.335 (3m) (ag), and 972.14 (3) (a).

950.04(1v)(n) (n) To have direct input in the parole decision-making process, as provided by the rules promulgated under s. 304.06 (1) (em).

950.04(1v)(nn) (nn) To attend parole interviews or hearings and make statements as provided under s. 304.06 (1) (eg).

950.04(1v)(nt) (nt) To attend a hearing on a petition for modification of a bifurcated sentence and provide a statement concerning modification of the bifurcated sentence, as provided under s. 302.113 (9g) (d).

950.04(1v)(nx) (nx) To attend a hearing on a petition for modification of a term of probation under s. 973.09 (3) (d) and provide a statement to the court concerning modification of the term of probation as provided under s. 973.09 (3m).

950.04(1v)(o) (o) To have information concerning the impact of a delinquent act on the victim included in a court report under s. 938.33 and to have the person preparing the court report attempt to contact the victim, as provided under s. 938.331.

950.04(1v)(p) (p) To have the person preparing a presentence investigation under s. 972.15 make a reasonable attempt to contact the victim, as provided in s. 972.15 (2m), and to view the sentence recommendation and any victim information included on the presentence investigation report, as provided in s. 972.15 (4m).

950.04(1v)(pd) (pd) Subject to the limits set forth in s. 972.15 (4r), to view portions of a presentence investigation report prepared under s. 972.15 that relate to the crime upon the victim.

950.04(1v)(pm) (pm) To have the court provided with information pertaining to the economic, physical and psychological effect of the crime upon the victim and have the information considered by the court.

950.04(1v)(q) (q) To restitution, as provided under ss. 938.245 (2) (a) 5., 938.32 (1t), 938.34 (5), 938.345, 943.212, 943.23 (6), 943.245, 943.51 and 973.20.

950.04(1v)(qm) (qm) To recompense as provided under s. 969.13 (5) (a).

950.04(1v)(r) (r) To a judgment for unpaid restitution, as provided under ss. 895.035 (2m) and 973.09 (3) (b).

950.04(1v)(rm) (rm) To compensation, as provided under subch. I of ch. 949.

950.04(1v)(s) (s) To have any stolen or other personal property expeditiously returned by law enforcement agencies when no longer needed as evidence, subject to s. 968.205. If feasible, all such property, except weapons, currency, contraband, property subject to evidentiary analysis, property subject to preservation under s. 968.205, and property the ownership of which is disputed, shall be returned to the person within 10 days of being taken.

950.04(1v)(t) (t) To receive information from law enforcement agencies, as provided under s. 950.08 (2g).

950.04(1v)(u) (u) To receive information from district attorneys, as provided under s. 950.08 (2r).

950.04(1v)(um) (um) To have district attorneys make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim under s. 971.17 (4m) regarding conditional releases under s. 971.17.

950.04(1v)(v) (v) To have the department of corrections make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim under s. 301.046 (4) regarding community residential confinements, under s. 301.048 (4m) regarding participation in the intensive sanctions program, under s. 301.38 regarding escapes from a Type 1 prison, under s. 301.46 (3) regarding persons registered under s. 301.45, under s. 302.105 regarding release upon expiration of certain sentences, under s. 304.063 regarding extended supervision and parole releases, and under s. 938.51 regarding release or escape of a juvenile from correctional custody.

950.04(1v)(vg) (vg) To have the department of corrections make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim, pursuant to s. 302.107, of a revocation of parole or of release to extended supervision under s. 302.11 (7), 302.113 (9), 302.114 (9), or 304.06 (3) or (3g).

950.04(1v)(vm) (vm) To have the appropriate clerk of court send the victim a copy of an inmate’s petition for extended supervision and notification of the hearing on that petition under s. 302.114 (6).

950.04(1v)(w) (w) To have the department of corrections make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim under s. 303.068 (4m) regarding leave granted to qualified inmates under s. 303.068.

950.04(1v)(x) (x) To have the department of health services make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim under s. 971.17 (6m) regarding termination or discharge under s. 971.17 and under s. 51.37 (10) regarding home visits under s. 51.37 (10).

950.04(1v)(xm) (xm) To have the department of health services make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim under s. 980.11 regarding supervised release under s. 980.08 and discharge under s. 980.09 (4).

950.04(1v)(y) (y) To have reasonable attempts made to notify the victim concerning actions taken in a juvenile proceeding, as provided under ss. 938.24 (5m), 938.25 (2m), 938.312 and 938.346.

950.04(1v)(yd) (yd) To have the appropriate clerk of court make a reasonable attempt to send the victim a copy of a motion made under s. 974.07 (2) for postconviction deoxyribonucleic acid testing of certain evidence and notification of any hearing on that motion, as provided under s. 974.07 (4).

950.04(1v)(ym) (ym) To have the governor make a reasonable attempt to notify the victim of a pardon application, as provided under s. 304.09 (2) and (3).

950.04(1v)(z) (z) To make a written statement concerning pardon applications, as provided under s. 304.10 (2).

950.04(1v)(zm) (zm) To request information from a district attorney concerning the disposition of a case involving a crime of which he or she was a victim, as provided under s. 971.095 (6).

950.04(1v)(zx) (zx) To complain to the department of justice concerning the treatment of crime victims, as provided under s. 950.08 (3), and to request review by the crime victims rights board of the complaint, as provided under s. 950.09 (2).

950.04(2w) (2w) Rights of witnesses. Witnesses of crimes have the following rights:

950.04(2w)(a) (a) To request information from the district attorney about the final disposition of the case.

950.04(2w)(b) (b) To be notified that a court proceeding to which they have been subpoenaed will not go on as scheduled, in order to save the person an unnecessary trip to court.

950.04(2w)(c) (c) To receive protection from harm and threats of harm arising out of their cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts, and to be provided with information as to the level of protection available.

950.04(2w)(d) (d) To be informed of financial assistance and other social services available as a result of being a witness of a crime, including information on how to apply for the assistance and services.

950.04(2w)(dm) (dm) To not have his or her personal identifiers, as defined in s. 85.103 (1) and including an electronic mail address, used or disclosed by a public official, employee, or agency for a purpose that is unrelated to the official responsibilities of the official, employee, or agency.

950.04(2w)(e) (e) To be informed of the procedure to be followed in order to apply for and receive any witness fee to which they are entitled.

950.04(2w)(f) (f) To be provided a waiting area under ss. 938.2965 and 967.10.

950.04(2w)(fm) (fm) To have any stolen or other personal property expeditiously returned by law enforcement agencies when no longer needed as evidence. If feasible, all such property, except weapons, currency, contraband, property subject to evidentiary analysis and property the ownership of which is disputed, shall be returned to the person within 10 days of being taken.

950.04(2w)(g) (g) To be provided with appropriate intercession services to ensure that employers of witnesses will cooperate with the criminal justice process and the juvenile justice process in order to minimize an employee’s loss of pay and other benefits resulting from court appearances.

950.04(2w)(h) (h) To be entitled to a speedy disposition of the case in which they are involved as a witness in order to minimize the length of time they must endure the stress of their responsibilities in connection with the matter.

950.04 History History: 1979 c. 219; 1983 a. 102, 364; 1985 a. 311; 1987 a. 332 s. 64; 1989 a. 31; 1997 a. 181, 237, 283; 1999 a. 9, 32, 188; 2001 a. 16, 109; 2003 a. 224; 2005 a. 155, 277, 434, 447; 2007 a. 20 ss. 3863, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 97; 2009 a. 28, 138; 2011 a. 38, 283; 2013 a. 338, 348, 362; 2015 a. 354.

950.04 Annotation A sentencing court does not abuse its discretion by considering a victim’s statements and recommendations. State v. Johnson, 158 Wis. 2d 458, 463 N.W.2d 352 (Ct. App. 1990).

950.045 950.045 Accompaniment by a victim advocate.

950.045(1) (1) Right to accompaniment at law enforcement interviews; exceptions.

950.045(1)(a) (a) In addition to all rights afforded to victims under s. 950.04, an individual who is a victim of a violation of s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11 has the right to be accompanied by a victim advocate at law enforcement interviews, subject to par. (b) or (c) and except as provided in par. (c) or (d).

950.045(1)(am) (am) A parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a minor who is a victim of sexual assault, human trafficking, or child sexual abuse may make a request under par. (a) for a victim advocate to accompany the minor victim of sexual assault, human trafficking, or child sexual abuse.

950.045(1)(b) (b) A victim advocate may not obstruct or delay a law enforcement interview, shall comply with the victim’s requests or instructions, and shall comply with any rule, policy, or requirement established by a law enforcement agency regarding the confidentiality of information relating to an investigation. A victim advocate may not disclose information not previously disclosed to the general public to any person except that the victim advocate may disclose information to an individual or to an agency that is providing counseling, assistance, or support services to the victim to the extent that disclosure is reasonably necessary to assist in the provision of counseling, assistance, or support services.

950.045(1)(c) (c) A victim advocate may not obstruct or delay a forensic interview conducted at or on behalf of a child advocacy center, as described in s. 165.96, and shall comply with any instructions or requests from the lead forensic interviewer, including excluding himself or herself from the interview room, and shall comply with any rule, policy, or requirement established by the child advocacy center.

950.045(1)(d) (d) A victim advocate who violates the provisions of par. (b) or (c) may be excluded from a law enforcement interview. At the request of the victim, a different victim advocate may be allowed to accompany the victim.

950.045(2) (2) Right to accompaniment at proceedings.

950.045(2)(a) (a) In addition to all rights afforded to victims under s. 950.04, an individual who is a victim of a violation of s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11 has a right to be accompanied by a victim advocate at interviews and proceedings at which he or she is requested or allowed to attend that are related to the crime committed against him or her, including prosecution interviews, department of corrections proceedings, court proceedings, and postconviction proceedings, except as provided in s. 950.045 (1) (c) and (d).

950.045(2)(b) (b) A parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a minor who is a victim of sexual assault, human trafficking, or child sexual abuse may make a request under par. (a) for a victim advocate to accompany the minor victim of sexual assault, human trafficking, or child sexual abuse.

950.045(3) (3) Civil immunity. A law enforcement agency and its employees or agents are immune from civil liability for allowing a victim advocate to accompany a victim, for any failure to comply with any requirement in this section, and for any act or omission by a victim advocate.

950.045 History History: 2015 a. 351.

950.055 950.055 Child victims and witnesses; rights and services.

950.055(1) (1) Legislative intent. The legislature finds that it is necessary to provide child victims and witnesses with additional consideration and different treatment than that usually afforded to adults. The legislature intends, in this section, to provide these children with additional rights and protections during their involvement with the criminal justice or juvenile justice system. The legislature urges the news media to use restraint in revealing the identity of child victims or witnesses, especially in sensitive cases.

950.055(2) (2) Additional services. In addition to all rights afforded to victims and witnesses under s. 950.04 and services provided under s. 950.06 (1m), counties are encouraged to provide the following additional services on behalf of children who are involved in criminal or delinquency proceedings as victims or witnesses:

950.055(2)(a) (a) Explanations, in language understood by the child, of all legal proceedings in which the child will be involved.

950.055(2)(b) (b) Advice to the judge, when appropriate and as a friend of the court, regarding the child’s ability to understand proceedings and questions. The services may include providing assistance in determinations concerning the taking of depositions by audiovisual means under s. 908.08 or 967.04 (7) and (8) and the duty to expedite proceedings under s. 971.105.

950.055(2)(c) (c) Advice to the district attorney concerning the ability of a child witness to cooperate with the prosecution and the potential effects of the proceedings on the child.

950.055(2)(d) (d) Information about and referrals to appropriate social services programs to assist the child and the child’s family in coping with the emotional impact of the crime and the subsequent proceedings in which the child is involved.

950.055(3) (3) Program responsibility. In each county, the county board is responsible for the provision of services under this section. A county may seek reimbursement for services provided under this section as part of its program plan submitted to the department under s. 950.06. To the extent possible, counties shall utilize volunteers and existing public resources for the provision of these services.