Wisconsin has long been regarded as a leader in the area of Crime Victims’ Rights, having adopted a State Constitutional Amendment ensuring the provision of rights in the early 1990’s. As part of the development of this movement, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a statute, which not only set forth specific rights for victims, but established remedies for violations of those rights.

This workshop will provide Wisconsin’s history in the development of its victims’ rights laws; explain the legal development of a hearing process; give case-specific examples of violations of victims’ rights in Wisconsin and discuss Appellate Court rulings. From his unique position as District Attorney and Board Chair, the presenter will comment on victims’ rights hearings and the complex relationship between the rights of crime victims and the rights of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, service providers, and judges who find themselves respondents to these actions.