Crime Victims Rights Board

Mission Statement

The mission of the Wisconsin Crime Victims Rights Board, as an independent quasi-judicial body, is to enforce the provision of crime victims' rights by:

Reviewing complaints

Imposing remedies for violations

Producing reports that identify victims' rights issues

Recommending best practices for providing services to  crime victims and protecting their rights.

WisconsinEye Video: Legally Speaking - Crime Victims' Rights Board

Statutory Authority and Structure 

The Crime Victims Rights Board (CVRB) was created by Wis. Stat 15.255(2) and operates by authority of Wis. Stat. Chapter 950.09 to review and investigate complaints filed by victims of crime regarding their crime victim rights. The Board is attached to the Department of Justice for administrative purposes.  The Department assigns staff to provide case management and investigative assistance and legal counsel; however, the Board is an independent quasi-judicial body whose actions are not subject to review or approval of the attorney general.

The Board has authority to order remedies if it finds that a violation of victims' rights has occured.  The Board may issue private or public reprimands of public officials, employees or agencies; refer cases involving an alleged violation by a judge to the Judicial Commission; seek appropriate equitable relief on behalf of a victim in order to protect his/her rights (the Board may not seek to reverse, appeal or modify a judgment of conviction); and to bring civil actions to assess a forfeiture of up to $1000 for intentional violations. The statute also authorizes the Board to issue reports and recommendations, whether or not a violation occurred, concerning the provision of victim rights and services. 

Current Appointees

The Board consists of five members serving 4-year terms

CVRB Publications:

2010 Report of the Crime Victims Rights Board

A Compilation of Best Practice Recommendations Issued by the CVRB 1999 - March 2011

Compliance with Law Enforcement Duty to Provide Written Information

CVRB Case Statistics (Updated March 2011)

Frequently Asked Questions About the Board

2004 CVRB Report

Statutory and Constitutional Provisions

Constitutional Amendment: Victims' Rights (Art. 1, Sec. 9m, Wis. Const.)

Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crime: Wis. Stat. Chapter 950

Related Statutes

Administrative Rules: Crime Victims' Rights Board [PDF]

Child victims and witnesses; duty to expedite proceedings: 971.105

Consultation With and Notices to Victim: 971.095
Crime Victim Compensation : Wis. Stat. Chapter 949
Exclusion of Witnesses: 906.15
Inquiry Before a Plea 971.08(1)(d)
Inquiry upon dismissal 971.315
Pre-sentence investigation 972.15
Restitution 973.20

Speedy Trial 971.10

Statements before sentencing 972.14

Waiting area for victims and witnesses 967.10

Staff to Board

The Department of Justice has assigned staff to the Board for administrative purposes. They are not assigned full-time to the Board but rather perform CVRB functions, as needed, in addition to their Department of Justice responsibilities.

Bruce Olsen, Assistant Attorney General, Wisconsin Department of Justice
Duties: Legal counsel to the Board.

Julie Braun, Wisconsin Department of Justice
Duties: case investigation, records maintenance, liaison to complainants, respondents, the media, Board and state agencies.

Kathryn Sullivan, Wisconsin Department of Justice
Duties: Administrative support

For questions relating to the Crime Victims' Rights Board, click here.

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