NCJ Number
54102
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF WISCONSIN'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS PRESENTED, WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING AND ALLEVIATING ANY PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED BY DISABLED PERSONS AS PARTICIPANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE OVERVIEW IS TO PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR SETTING FORTH THE RIGHTS OF PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS AT EACH STAGE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING STAGES ARE OUTLINED: COMPLAINT AND ARREST, SEARCH AND SEIZURE, JOHN DOE PROCEEDINGS (SECRET HEARINGS HELD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE JUDGE TO DETERMINE WHETHER A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED), BAIL, INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE OF THE DEFENDANT, PRELIMINARY HEARING, ARRAIGNMENT, DETERMINATION OF COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL, TRIAL, AND SENTENCING. POINTS AT WHICH THE PRESENCE OF THE DEFENDANT IS REQUIRED ARE IDENTIFIED, BUT NO PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON ANY DIFFICULTIES THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED BY A DISABLED PERSON. WISCONSIN LAWS PROVIDING FOR THE FUNDING OF INTERPRETERS FOR DEAF PERSONS AND FOR DEVICES THAT ENABLE HEARING- AND SPEECH-IMPAIRED PERSONS TO OBTAIN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ARE CITED.