Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 978.05 (2026)
Duties of the district attorney
✓ current as of July 2026
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978.05(1)(1) Criminal actions. Except as otherwise provided by law, prosecute all criminal actions before any court within his or her prosecutorial unit and have sole responsibility for prosecution of all criminal actions arising from violations of chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 and from violations of other laws arising from or in relation to the official functions of the subject of the investigation or any matter that involves elections, ethics, or lobbying regulation under chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19, that are alleged to be committed by a resident of his or her prosecutorial unit, or if alleged to be committed by a nonresident of this state, that are alleged to occur in his or her prosecutorial unit unless another prosecutor is substituted under s. 5.05 (2m) (i) or 19.49 (2) (h) or this chapter or by referral of the elections commission under s. 5.05 (2m) (c) 15. or 16. or the ethics commission under s. 19.49 (2) (b) 13. or 14. For purposes of this subsection, a person other than an individual is a resident of a prosecutorial unit if the person’s principal place of operation is located in that prosecutorial unit.
978.05(2)(2) Forfeitures. Except as otherwise provided by law, prosecute all state forfeiture actions, county traffic actions and actions concerning violations of county ordinances which are in conformity with state criminal laws in the courts within his or her prosecutorial unit and have joint responsibility, together with the elections commission and the ethics commission, for prosecution of all forfeiture actions arising from violations of chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 and from violations of other laws arising from or in relation to the official functions of the subject of the investigation or any matter that involves elections, ethics, or lobbying regulation under chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 that are alleged to be committed by a resident of his or her prosecutorial unit, or if alleged to be committed by a nonresident of this state, that are alleged to occur within his or her prosecutorial unit unless another prosecutor is substituted under s. 5.05 (2m) (h) or 19.49 (2) (g) or this chapter or by referral of the elections commission under s. 5.05 (2m) (c) 15. or 16. or the ethics commission under s. 19.49 (2) (b) 13. or 14. For purposes of this subsection, a person other than an individual is a resident of a prosecutorial unit if the person’s principal place of operation is located in that prosecutorial unit.
978.05(4)(4) Grand jury. When requested by a grand jury under s. 968.47, attend the grand jury for the purpose of examining witnesses in their presence; give the grand jury advice in any legal matter; draw bills of indictment; and issue subpoenas and other processes to compel the attendance of witnesses.
978.05(4m)(4m) Welfare fraud investigations. Cooperate with the departments of children and families and health services regarding the fraud investigation programs under ss. 49.197 (1m) and 49.845 (1).
978.05(5)(5) Criminal appeals. Upon the request and under the supervision and direction of the attorney general, brief and argue all criminal cases brought by appeal or writ of error or certified from a county within his or her prosecutorial unit to the court of appeals or supreme court. The district attorney for the prosecutorial unit in which the case was filed shall represent the state in any appeal or other proceeding if the case is decided by a single court of appeals judge, as specified in s. 752.31 (3).
978.05(6)(a)(a) Institute, commence or appear in all civil actions or special proceedings under and perform the duties set forth for the district attorney under ch. 980 and ss. 17.14, 30.03 (2), 48.09 (5), 59.55 (1), 59.64 (1), 89.08, 103.92 (4), 109.09, 343.305 (9) (a), 806.05, 938.09, 938.18, 938.355 (6) (b) and (6g) (a), 946.86, 946.87, 961.55 (5), 971.14 and 973.075 to 973.077, perform any duties in connection with court proceedings in a court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 as the judge may request and perform all appropriate duties and appear if the district attorney is designated in specific statutes, including matters within chs. 782, 976 and 979 and ss. 51.81 to 51.85. Nothing in this paragraph limits the authority of the county board to designate, under s. 48.09 (5), that the corporation counsel provide representation as specified in s. 48.09 (5) or to designate, under s. 48.09 (6) or 938.09 (6), the district attorney as an appropriate person to represent the interests of the public under s. 48.14 or 938.14.
978.05(6)(b)(b) Enforce the provisions of all general orders of the department of safety and professional services relating to the sale, transportation and storage of explosives.
978.05(7)(7) Actions transferred to another county. If the place of trial is changed in any action or proceeding under this section to another county within or outside his or her prosecutorial unit, prosecute or defend the action or proceeding in that county.
978.05(8)(a)(a) Establish such offices throughout the prosecutorial unit as are necessary to carry out the duties of the office of district attorney.
978.05(8)(b)(b) Hire, employ, and supervise his or her staff and, subject to s. 978.043 (1), make appropriate assignments of the staff throughout the prosecutorial unit. The district attorney may request the assistance of district attorneys, deputy district attorneys, or assistant district attorneys from other prosecutorial units or assistant attorneys general who then may appear and assist in the investigation and prosecution of any matter for which a district attorney is responsible under this chapter in like manner as assistants in the prosecutorial unit and with the same authority as the district attorney in the unit in which the action is brought. Nothing in this paragraph limits the authority of counties to regulate the hiring, employment, and supervision of county employees.
978.05(9)(9) Budget. Prepare a biennial budget request for submission to the department under s. 978.11 by September 1 of each even-numbered year.
978.05 HistoryHistory: 1989 a. 31, 117, 336; 1991 a. 16, 32, 39; 1993 a. 98; 1995 a. 27 ss. 7291, 7292, 9116 (5), 9130 (4); 1995 a. 77, 201, 448; Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997); 1997 a. 3, 35, 73; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 25, 434; 2007 a. 1; 2007 a. 20 ss. 3927, 9121 (6) (a); 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 55, 118; 2017 a. 59; 2021 a. 238 s. 45; 2023 a. 12.
978.05 AnnotationDistrict attorneys and their assistants when acting within the scope of their prosecutorial functions are absolutely immune from damages. Ford v. Kenosha County, 160 Wis. 2d 485, 466 N.W.2d 646 (1991).
978.05 AnnotationInclusion of employees hired under sub. (8) (b) in a bargaining unit subject to the county’s collective bargaining agreement does not impermissibly restrict the district attorney’s statutory hiring authority. Crawford County v. WERC, 177 Wis. 2d 66, 501 N.W.2d 836 (Ct. App. 1993).
978.05 AnnotationIt is within the discretionary power of a district attorney to enter nonprosecution agreements prior to filing charges in exchange for information in a criminal investigation. State v. Jones, 217 Wis. 2d 57, 576 N.W.2d 580 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-1806.
978.05 AnnotationProsecutors have authority to enter into agreements related to criminal matters that bind the state. Nonprosecution agreements are legal, and prosecutors have inherent discretionary authority to enter into them when, in the prosecutor’s discretion, doing so will further the interests of justice. A district attorney has the authority to enter into precharging nonprosecution agreements without court approval. State v. Rippentrop, 2023 WI App 15, 406 Wis. 2d 692, 987 N.W.2d 801, 22-0092.
978.05 AnnotationDiscussing county and district attorney responsibilities in staffing district attorney offices. 80 Atty. Gen. 19.
978.05 AnnotationUnless otherwise stated in a specific statute, criminal and civil forfeiture provisions of the election, lobby, and ethics laws can be enforced by a district attorney independently of the Government Accountability Board (GAB). A referral following an investigation by GAB is not required. A district attorney may request prosecutorial or investigative assistance from the attorney general in connection with any duty of the district attorney under those laws. If there has been a referral to the district attorney by GAB under s. 5.05 (2m) (c) 11., 14., or 15., the district attorney must retain ultimate supervisory authority over the matter referred unless a special prosecutor has been appointed to serve in lieu of the district attorney. OAG 10-08.
978.05 AnnotationThe Government Accountability Board (GAB) and district attorneys possess joint and co-equal authority to investigate possible violations of the election, lobby, and ethics laws and to prosecute civil forfeiture actions under those laws. Unless otherwise stated in a specific statutory provision, the district attorney possesses the authority to prosecute criminal proceedings under those laws. GAB has no statutory authority to prosecute criminal proceedings under those laws except as stated in s. 5.05 (2m) (i). OAG 10-08.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 21
cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1993–2025 · leading case: State v. Jensen, 2010 WI 38 (Wis. 2010).
State v. Jensen, 2010 WI 38 (Wis. 2010). “District attorneys also have the power to investigate possible violations of chs.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin v. Wisconsin Dep't of Just., 2016 WI 100 (Wis. 2016). “9(c), as it stands now, imposes on lawyers a duty of confidentiality to former clients.”
Buchanan v. City of Kenosha, 57 F. Supp. 2d 675 (E.D. Wis. 1999). “These include prosecuting criminal actions, Wis. Stat. § 978.05 (1); state forfeiture actions, county traffic actions and certain county ordinance violations, Wis.”
State Ex Rel. Two Unnamed v. Peterson, 2015 WI 85 (Wis. 2015). “§ 978.05 (1) provides that a district attorney shall: [p]rosecute all criminal actions before any court within his or her prosecutorial unit and have sole responsibility for prosecution of all criminal actions arising from violations of chs.”
State v. Noble, 2002 WI 64 (Wis. 2002). “Noble notes, citing Wis. Stat. § 978.05 (3), that prosecutors have an obligation to participate in John Doe proceedings *220 and also argues, citing State v.”
Carl R. Kramer v. Vill. of North Fond Du Lac & Larry Wodack, 384 F.3d 856 (7th Cir. 2004). “cities and villages, suggests that it was sent out by the sheriff. While the county sheriff may not normally police cities and villages that have their own police departments, the authority of the district attorney extends throughout the county.”
State v. Carlson, 2002 WI App 44 (Wis. Ct. App. 2001). “Wis. Stat. § 978.05 (6). 7 Because the central purpose of Wis.”
State v. Parent, 2006 WI 132 (Wis. 2006). “Wis. Stat. § 978.05 (5). The attorney general normally handles all felony and Chapter 980 cases, as well as all cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, *92 and may assume responsibility in a single-judge appeal if the court of appeals orders that the case be decided by a…”
Crawford Cnty. v. Wisconsin Emp. Relations Comm'n, 501 N.W.2d 836 (Wis. Ct. App. 1993). “office such deputy or deputies shall perform the duties of register until such vacancy is filled or during the continuance of such absence or inability.”
State Ex Rel. Parker v. Sullivan, 517 N.W.2d 449 (Wis. 1994). “Michael McCann, the elected district attorney for Milwaukee county whose function is to "prosecute all criminal actions" within his *678 jurisdiction, sec. 978.05(1), Stats. 1991-92, and Frederick G.”
State Ex Rel. Parker v. Fiedler, 509 N.W.2d 440 (Wis. Ct. App. 1993). “Section 978.05(1), Stats. The district attorney is therefore specifically concerned with the potential for crime within his or her jurisdiction.”
Dane Cnty. v. Jeramiah Bradley (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “To illustrate by analogy, another subsection of § 978.05 directs district attorneys to prosecute all criminal actions within the prosecutorial unit.”
— Wis. Stat. § 978.05(1) — 8 cases
State v. Jensen, 2010 WI 38 (Wis. 2010). “District attorneys also have the power to investigate possible violations of chs.”
State Ex Rel. Parker v. Sullivan, 517 N.W.2d 449 (Wis. 1994). “Michael McCann, the elected district attorney for Milwaukee county whose function is to "prosecute all criminal actions" within his *678 jurisdiction, sec. 978.05(1), Stats. 1991-92, and Frederick G.”
State Ex Rel. Parker v. Fiedler, 509 N.W.2d 440 (Wis. Ct. App. 1993). “Section 978.05(1), Stats. The district attorney is therefore specifically concerned with the potential for crime within his or her jurisdiction.”
Dane Cnty. v. Jeramiah Bradley (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “To illustrate by analogy, another subsection of § 978.05 directs district attorneys to prosecute all criminal actions within the prosecutorial unit.”
Jessica J. L. v. Olson, 589 N.W.2d 660 (Wis. Ct. App. 1998).
— Wis. Stat. § 978.05(2) — 2 cases
Buchanan v. City of Kenosha, 57 F. Supp. 2d 675 (E.D. Wis. 1999). “These include prosecuting criminal actions, Wis. Stat. § 978.05 (1); state forfeiture actions, county traffic actions and certain county ordinance violations, Wis.”
Dane Cnty. v. Jeramiah Bradley (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “To illustrate by analogy, another subsection of § 978.05 directs district attorneys to prosecute all criminal actions within the prosecutorial unit.”
— Wis. Stat. § 978.05(8)(b) — 1 case
Crawford Cnty. v. Wisconsin Emp. Relations Comm'n, 501 N.W.2d 836 (Wis. Ct. App. 1993). “office such deputy or deputies shall perform the duties of register until such vacancy is filled or during the continuance of such absence or inability.”
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