Wisconsin Department of Justice

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The Wisconsin Department of Justice is a state law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction throughout the state of Wisconsin. The state agency is located in Madison, the state capital. Its main offices are housed in the Risser Justice Center, located at 17 West Main Street, in downtown Madison. The Wisconsin Attorney General oversees the agency. The current attorney general is JB (John) Van Hollen, who was elected to his first 4 year term in November, 2006. The WDOJ manages the state's three crime labs, and investigates major crimes involving, among other things, illegal drugs, fugitives, public corruption, official misconduct, organized crime, domestic terrorism, Medicaid fraud and patient abuse.

[edit] Responsibilities

The agency provides legal advice and representation, criminal investigations, and various law enforcement services for the state. It represents the state in civil cases and handles criminal cases that reach the Wisconsin Court of Appeals or the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It also represents the state in criminal cases on appeal in federal courts and participates with other states in federal cases that are important to Wisconsin. The department provides legal representation in lower courts when expressly authorized by law or requested by the governor, either house of the legislature, or a state agency head. It is also represents state agencies in court reviews of their administrative decisions. The Department consists of four divisions and one office. The Division of Criminal Investigation, Division of Law Enforcement Services, Division of Legal Services, Division of Management Services and the Office of Crime Victim Services.

[edit] State Crime Labs

The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains three state crimes labs, which are located in Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau.

[edit] External links

• Wisconsin Department of Justice Official Website [1]
• Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Missing and Exploited Children and Adults[2]

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