Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

Defendents rights to police reports

I have requested a police report from the arresting officer,judge, and D.A. I have not been given this information. when called the D.A., she said she didn't have time and would get to it this week. She did not send it this week and court date is in 3 days. Do I have a right to this and can I get the charges dropped for not giving me the requested information?


Asked on 12/19/98, 7:43 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Jes Beard Jes Beard, Attorney at Law

Re: Defendents rights to police reports

I'm licensed in Tennessee and not Wisconsi, but generally speaking a criminal defendant IS entitled to such records IF they are properly requested. Simply asking for them in court, or even going to the DA's office to ask for them may not be enough.

Get an experienced criminal defense attorney and have the attorney do that as part of the preparation of your case for trial.

Generally speaking you would use either pre-trial motions, subpoenas duces tecum, ot Freedom of Information Act requests.

Jes Beard

Jes Beard, Attorney at Law

737 Market St., Suite 601


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Answered on 1/24/99, 11:15 pm
JAY Nixon nixon law offices

Re: Defendents rights to police reports

Although there are certain discovery rights in

criminal cases, a right to all police reports is

not one of them. Most county DA's offices,

however, have courtesy agreements with members of

the local bar allowing "open file" access. Your attorney

should therefore be able to easily get the records.

Jay K. Nixon

Harvey,Nixon & Fisher

P.O.B. 1555, 333 Main St


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Answered on 1/25/99, 6:50 am


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