Additional Services for Victims

Wisconsin Victim Resource Center
WI Department of Justice
Office of Crime Victim Services
Toll free: 1-800-446-6564
Madison area: 608-264-9497
V/TTY: 608-267-8902
Providing statewide services to victims of crime:

• telephone counseling
• information and referrals
• problem solving assistance related to the victimization
• victim/witness service in matters the Attorney General's Office is prosecuting and no other services are available
• resource to district attorneys in counties with no victim/witness program
• advocate for victims in exercising their state constitutional rights
• crime victim compensation assistance
• Victim Appellate Notification Services (VANS)

Financial Help for Victims of Crime
WI Department of Justice
Crime Victim Compensation Program
PO Box 7951
Madison WI 53707-7951 Toll free: 1-800-446-6564
Madison area: 608-264-9497
V/TTY: 608-267-8902
Providing financial compensation for loss or expense on the part of an innocent victim who suffers injury from a crime.

Bill of Rights for Victims and Witnesses

Victim rights listed below are based on Wisconsin statute 950. A PDF version of the statute similar to the printed format is available for viewing. This requires you to have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Crime Victims in Wisconsin have the right:

• To be informed of your rights and how to exercise your rights.
• To information regarding the offender's release from custody.
• To be notified of a decision not to prosecute if an arrest has been made.
• To speak with the Assistant Attorney General, or prosecutor representative upon your request, about the possible outcome of the case, potential plea agreements and sentencing options.
• To attend court proceedings in the case.
• To have reasonable attempts made to notify you of the time, date and place of upcoming court proceedings, if you so request.
• To be provided with a waiting area separate from defense witnesses.
• To a speedy disposition of the criminal case.
• To have your interest considered when the court is deciding to grant a request for a delay (continuance).
• To be notified if charges are dismissed.
• To be accompanied to court by a service representative. This right is limited to specific types of crimes.
• To ask for assistance with your employer if necessary, resulting from court appearances.
• To request an order for, and to be given the results of, testing the offender for sexually transmitted diseases or HIV. This right is limited to specific types of crimes.
• To provide a written or oral victim impact statement concerning the economic, physical and psychological effect of the crime upon you to be considered by the court at sentencing.
• To have the impact of the crime on you included a presentence investigation.
• To be provided sentencing or dispositional information upon request.
• To restitution as allowed by law.
• To a civil judgment for unpaid restitution.
• To compensation for certain expenses as allowed by law.
• To have your property expeditiously returned when it is no longer needed as evidence.
• To be notified of the offender's eligibility for parole and to have input into the parole-making decision.
• To have the Department of Corrections make a reasonable attempt to notify you of specific types of releases, escapes or confinements as provided by law.
• To have a reasonable attempt made to notify you of a pardon application to the governor and to made a written statement regarding the pardon application.
• To contact the Department of Justice about any concerns you may have about your treatment as a crime victim.

National Resources

Other service information and references are available on the Related Web Links page.