950.08 Information and mediation services.

(1) Duties of department; toll-free telephone number. The department shall maintain a toll-free telephone number to provide crime victims and witnesses with all of the following services:

(a) Information and referral to available services.

(b) Crisis counseling and emotional support.

(c) Assistance in securing resources and protection.

(2) Duties of department; general informational program. The department shall provide an informational program to inform crime victims, the general public, criminal justice officials and related professionals about crime victim rights and services.

(2g) Information to be provided by law enforcement agencies. No later than 24 hours after a law enforcement agency has initial contact with a victim of a crime that the law enforcement agency is responsible for investigating, the law enforcement agency shall make a reasonable attempt to provide to the victim written information on all of the following:

(a) A list of the rights of victims under s. 950.04 (1v).

(b) The availability of compensation under subch. I of ch. 949 and the address and telephone number at which to contact the department for information concerning compensation under subch. I of ch. 949.

(c) The address and telephone number of the intake worker, corporation counsel or district attorney whom the victim may contact to obtain information concerning the rights of victims and to request notice of court proceedings under ss. 938.27 (4m) and (6), 938.273 (2), 938.299 (1) (am) and 938.335 (3m) (b) or ss. 971.095 (3) and 972.14 (3) (b), whichever is applicable, and to request the opportunity to confer under ss. 938.245 (1m), 938.265 or 938.32 (1) (am) or s. 971.095 (2), whichever is applicable.

(d) The address and telephone number of the custodial agency that the victim may contact to obtain information concerning the taking into custody or arrest of a suspect in connection with the crime of which he or she is a victim.

(e) The address and telephone number of the custodial agency that the victim may contact for information concerning release under s. 938.20 or 938.21 or ch. 969, whichever is appropriate, of a person arrested or taken into custody for the crime of which he or she is a victim.

(f) Suggested procedures for the victim to follow if he or she is subject to threats or intimidation arising out of his or her cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts relating to a crime of which he or she is a victim.

(g) The address and telephone number at which the victim may contact the department or any local agency that provides victim assistance in order to obtain further information about services available for victims, including medical services.

(h) If the victim is a victim of an officer-involved death, as defined in s. 175.47 (1) (c), information 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.

(2r) Information to be provided by a district attorney in criminal cases. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 10 days after the initial appearance under s. 970.01 or 24 hours before a preliminary examination under s. 970.03, whichever is earlier, of a person charged with a crime in a court of criminal jurisdiction, a district attorney shall make a reasonable attempt to provide to each victim of the crime written information on all of the following:

(a) A brief statement of the procedure for prosecuting a crime.

(b) A list of the rights of victims under s. 950.04 (1v) and information about how to exercise those rights.

(c) The person or agency to notify if the victim changes his or her address and wants to continue to receive notices and services under s. 950.04 or 971.095 (3).

(d) The availability of compensation under subch. I of ch. 949, including information concerning eligibility for compensation and the procedure for applying for compensation.

(e) The person to contact for further information about a case involving the prosecution of a crime of which he or she is a victim.

(2s) Information concerning juvenile cases. Notification of a victim of an act committed by a juvenile concerning the rights of victims under ch. 938 shall be provided as specified in s. 938.346.

(2w) Information to be provided by district attorneys to schools in criminal cases. If a criminal complaint is issued under s. 968.02 or if a petition for waiver is granted pursuant to s. 938.18, and the district attorney reasonably believes the person charged is a pupil enrolled in a school district, a private school, or a charter school established pursuant to s. 118.40 (2r), the district attorney shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the school board, governing body of the private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3d), or charter school governing body of the charges pending against the pupil. The district attorney shall also notify the school board, governing body of the private school, or charter school governing body of the final disposition of the charges.

(3) Duties of department; mediation. The department may receive complaints, seek to mediate complaints and, with the consent of the involved parties, actually mediate complaints regarding the treatment of crime victims and witnesses by public officials, employees or agencies or under crime victim and witness assistance programs. The department may act as a liaison between crime victims or witnesses and others when seeking to mediate these complaints and may request a written response regarding the complaint from the subject of a complaint. If asked by the department to provide a written response regarding a complaint, the subject of a complaint shall respond to the department's request within a reasonable time.

History: 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 181; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 309; 2013 a. 237, 348; s. 35.17 correction in (2w).