In this chapter:
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Terms Used In Wisconsin Statutes 950.02

  • Adult: means a person who has attained the age of 18 years, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated any state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, "adult" means a person who has attained the age of 17 years. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Following: when used by way of reference to any statute section, means the section next following that in which the reference is made. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Minor: means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, "minor" does not include a person who has attained the age of 17 years. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
  • Person: includes all partnerships, associations and bodies politic or corporate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • State: when applied to states of the United States, includes the District of Columbia, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the several territories organized by Congress. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
   (1)   Except in sub. (3), “child” means a person who is less than 18 years of age.
   (1m)   “Crime” means an act committed in this state which, if committed by a competent adult, would constitute a crime, as defined in s. 939.12.
   (1t)   “Custodial agency” means any person authorized to arrest or take into actual physical custody an individual who is alleged to have committed a crime. “Custodial agency” includes a law enforcement agency, a sheriff, superintendent or other keeper of a jail and a person authorized to take custody of a juvenile under s. 938.19 or 938.20 (4).
   (2)   “Department” means the department of justice.
   (2m)   “District attorney” means any of the following:
      (a)    The district attorney or other person authorized to prosecute a criminal case or a delinquency proceeding under ch. 938.
      (b)    A person designated by a person specified in par. (a) to perform the district attorney’s duties under this chapter.
   (3)   “Family member” means spouse, minor child, adult child, sibling, parent, or legal guardian.
   (3m)   “Law enforcement agency” has the meaning given in s. 165.83 (1) (b).
   (4)   
      (a)    “Victim” means any of the following:
         1.    A person against whom a crime has been committed.
         2.    If the person specified in subd. 1. is a child, a parent, guardian or legal custodian of the child.
         3.    If a person specified in subd. 1. is physically or emotionally unable to exercise the rights granted under s. 950.04 or article I, section 9m, of the Wisconsin constitution, a person designated by the person specified in subd. 1. or a family member of the person specified in subd. 1.
         4.    If a person specified in subd. 1. is deceased, any of the following:
            a.    A family member of the person who is deceased.
            b.    A person who resided with the person who is deceased.
         5.    If a person specified in subd. 1. has been adjudicated incompetent in this state, the guardian of the person appointed for him or her.
      (b)    “Victim” does not include the person charged with or alleged to have committed the crime.
   (4g)   “Victim advocate” has the meaning given in s. 905.045 (1) (e).
   (4m)   “Victim and witness office” means an organization or program that provides services for which the county receives reimbursement under this chapter.
   (5)   “Witness” means any person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not any action or proceeding has yet been commenced.