Victim Rights

Milwaukee and Waukesha Victim Rights Attorney

When a crime is committed against a person, it is the state that brings criminal charges against the perpetrator, not the victim. This means that the victim is frequently overlooked and unrepresented in trials against their perpetrators. Gatzke & Ruppelt believes that crime victims deserve strong advocacy even though they are not a named party in a criminal case.

Wisconsin is a national leader in recognizing victim rights and in 1980 enacted the country’s first victim bill of rights. In Wisconsin, victim rights include the right to the following:

• Obtain information regarding the offender’s custody status.
• To attend court proceedings
• To be notified if charges are dismissed
• To have the impact of the crime on you included in determining sentencing
• To restitution according to law
• To file civil charges against your perpetrator

In addition to those rights listed above, crime victims are given many rights under the law. Without proper representation a victim may forego their rights simply because were not aware of them. The lawyers at Gatzke & Ruppelt will ensure that the victim exercises all of the rights available to him/her and has a voice that will be heard throughout the criminal investigation and prosecution by the state.

Often times, victims financial needs are overlooked or not addressed during the criminal process. True justice requires the victim be made whole, or at least be paid for their losses. The criminal justice system is not configured to truly compensate a crime victim. Gatzke & Ruppelt will work hard to walk you through the criminal process and protect your constitutional rights, as well as your statutory rights at the same time. The firm will then use the civil justice system to close the circle and achieve meaningful financial compensation. For many victims this ends their quest for "true justice". Only when attorneys are skilled in BOTH areas is this possible. Gatzke & Ruppelt is one of the few firms in Wisconsin where their attorneys can combine both the civil and criminal justice system and make them work for the victim.

If you are the victim of a crime and need a lawyer who will help you exercise your rights, contact Gatzke & Ruppelt for a free initial consultation.