Your Rights as a Crime Victim

As a crime victim you have certain rights under the law. The purpose of this brochure is to advise you of your rights and to answer commonly asked questions concerning the criminal process. Victim’s rights as defined in §950.04, Wis. Stats. include the following:

To be informed of your rights and how to exercise them.
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 District Attorney (DA) about the possible outcome of the case, plea agreements and sentencing options.
To attend court proceedings in the case.
To have reasonable attempts made to notify you 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. This right is limited to specific types of crimes.
To ask for assistance with your employer, 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 in a pre-sentence 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 make 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.