Criminal Litigation Unit

The Criminal Litigation Unit performs a number of important functions involving criminal related matters, including:

Direct Prosecution. The unit has authority to initiate criminal prosecutions for violations of selected statutes including securities, tax, and the Wisconsin Organized Crime Control Act.

Special Prosecutions. At the request of district attorneys, unit members investigate and act as special prosecutors throughout Wisconsin in homicide, white-collar crime, public corruption, election fraud, multi-jurisdictional criminal cases, and other cases where the district attorney needs assistance or is unable to act.

Sexual Predator Commitments. The unit has a primary role in prosecuting sexual predator commitments in counties across the state and also handles post-commitment proceedings in those cases.

Advice and Consultation. The unit provides advice and assistance to law enforcement and prosecutors on a variety of issues including specialized areas such as Internet Crimes Against Children, elder abuse, child abuse and neglect, and computer crimes. Unit attorneys also review and comment on criminal related legislation.

Prosecutor and Law Enforcement Training. Attorneys from the unit provide general advice, training and education to prosecutors and law enforcement through a variety of means including its Statewide Prosecutors Education and Training (SPET) program. This training includes two annual conferences, specialized trainings, monthly telephone and webinar trainings, and distribution of resource material such as legislative updates.

Wisconsin law does not authorize the Attorney General and employees of the Department of Justice to provide legal advice to private individuals. If you need legal advice or representation you may want to contact a private attorney. The State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral and Information Service can help you determine if you need a lawyer, and how to proceed if you do.