Wisconsin Department of Justice
Encyclopedia
The Wisconsin Department of Justice is a state law enforcement agency
with jurisdiction throughout the state of Wisconsin
. Its headquarters are in Madison
, the state capital, with main offices in the Risser Justice Center in downtown Madison. The Wisconsin Attorney General oversees the agency. The current attorney general is JB (John) Van Hollen
, who was elected to his first 4 year term in November, 2006, and assumed the office on January 1, 2007. The WDoJ manages the state's three crime labs, and investigates major crimes involving, among other things, illegal drugs, fugitives, public corruption, official misconduct, organized crime, domestic terrorism, Medicaid fraud and patient abuse
.
or the Wisconsin Supreme Court
. It also represents the state in criminal cases on appeal in federal courts
and participates with other states in federal cases that are important to Wisconsin. The department provides legal representation in lower courts when expressly authorized by law or requested by the governor, either house of the legislature
, or a state agency head. It also represents state agencies in court reviews of their administrative decisions. The department consists of four divisions and one office: the Division of Criminal Investigation, Division of Law Enforcement Services, Division of Legal Services, Division of Management Services and the Office of Crime Victim Services.
.
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
with jurisdiction throughout the state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Its headquarters are in Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, the state capital, with main offices in the Risser Justice Center in downtown Madison. The Wisconsin Attorney General oversees the agency. The current attorney general is JB (John) Van Hollen
J. B. Van Hollen
John Byron "J.B." Van Hollen is the Attorney General of the State of Wisconsin. A Republican, he was elected to the office in November 2006 and took office on January 3, 2007, succeeding Democrat Peg Lautenschlager.-Background:...
, who was elected to his first 4 year term in November, 2006, and assumed the office on January 1, 2007. The WDoJ manages the state's three crime labs, and investigates major crimes involving, among other things, illegal drugs, fugitives, public corruption, official misconduct, organized crime, domestic terrorism, Medicaid fraud and patient abuse
Patient abuse
Patient abuse or neglect is any action or failure to act which causes unreasonable suffering, misery or harm to the patient. It includes physically striking or sexually assaulting a patient. It also includes withholding of necessary food, physical care, and medical attention...
.
Responsibilities
The agency provides legal advice and representation, criminal investigation, and other law enforcement services for the state. It represents the state in civil cases and handles criminal cases that reach the Wisconsin Court of AppealsCourt of Appeals
A court of appeals is an appellate court generally.Court of Appeals may refer to:*Military Court of Appeals *Corte d'Assise d'Appello *Philippine Court of Appeals*High Court of Appeals of Turkey*United States courts of appeals...
or the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over original actions, appeals from lower courts, and regulation or administration of the practice of law in Wisconsin.-Location:...
. It also represents the state in criminal cases on appeal in federal courts
United States federal courts
The United States federal courts make up the judiciary branch of federal government of the United States organized under the United States Constitution and laws of the federal government.-Categories:...
and participates with other states in federal cases that are important to Wisconsin. The department provides legal representation in lower courts when expressly authorized by law or requested by the governor, either house of the legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
, or a state agency head. It also represents state agencies in court reviews of their administrative decisions. The department consists of four divisions and one office: the Division of Criminal Investigation, Division of Law Enforcement Services, Division of Legal Services, Division of Management Services and the Office of Crime Victim Services.
State crime labs
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains three state crimes labs, located in Madison, Milwaukee, and WausauWausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, one officer from the Division of Criminal Investigation has died in the line of duty.| Officer | Deate of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Special Agent Jay P. Balchunas | |
Gunfire |
Anti-terrorism
In early 2009 the Wisconsin DoJ completed its second Terrorism Liaison Officer's (TLO) training at Volk Field. TLOs are local law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMS personnel, National Guard personnel, and county emergency managers. The 101 new and existing 61 TLO's have been trained on the most recent terrorism and crime issues, trend analysis, and the proper procedures for receiving and disseminating information to field personnel. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen stated:
"Preparing our public service and law enforcement partners in how to prevent, prepare and respond to criminal and terrorist threats is an important part of our mission at the Department of Justice," [...] "Silos of information aren't acceptable in the public safety world and the TLO program is a great program to enhance information sharing and cooperation."
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public LandsWisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public LandsThe Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands is a Wisconsin state agency responsible for managing the Wisconsin Trust Funds for public education financing, and for managing remaining Wisconsin Trust Lands...