LEGAL RESOURCES

Help with law enforcement

Domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse and stalking are crimes in the state of Wisconsin and you can report them to the police. In an emergency, call 911. It will be up to the police, not you, to decide if your abuser can be arrested. Please read below about evidence—this can be very important if the police have been/might be involved. If your abuser is a police officer please call our 24-hour hotline (414-933-2722) for help—we will not tell him/her that you have called us.

The Milwaukee Police Department has seven police district stations. We have advocates that help in each one. If you’re not sure which district you live in, please call any of these numbers and we will help you to figure it out. If you leave us a voicemail message, it will be confidential and the police will not hear it—please be sure to leave us a good phone number to call you back, and let us know if it is safe for us to leave a message for you. Our hours vary and include daytime and evening hours.

District #1: (414) 935-7199
District #2: (414) 935-7085
District #3: (414) 935-3983
District #4: (414) 935-1241
District #5: (414) 935-7656
District #6: (414) 935-7199
District #7: (414) 335-1115

If you live outside of the city of Milwaukee and need help working with the police, please call any of the numbers above for help.

Finding an attorney

Legal representation and help from an attorney can be a critical part of your overall safety plan. While our advocates cannot give legal advice or provide legal representation, we can provide you with information and support.

Our advocates can help you create a safety plan that includes:

• Strategies for responding to an immediate threat of abuse

• Education and support for a long-term plan for being safe

• Access to community resources

• Involving your network in your plan

• An understanding of what to expect from law enforcement and court response

HELP WITH COURT CASES

There are four different kinds of court systems in Milwaukee: civil, criminal, family and children’s courts. You could be involved with one, some or all of them depending on your situation. Always ask people you may be talking to in the courts if they are confidential or not, especially when talking about the abuse/violence. If you are worried about your safety when coming to court, please call one of the highlighted numbers below and our advocates will help. Please read below about evidence—this can be very important if the courts have been/might be involved.

SFPC has advocates who work with each of these four courts who can help you:

• understand the court process

• be present to support you during court hearings

• make sure you know your rights/options

• talk about the risks and benefits of telling the courts about abuse (if they don’t already know)

• work to connect you with an attorney if you need one

• help you find other resources that can help

We can also talk with the court systems (with your permission) to share information you feel they may be missing or tell them what you would like to see happen.

Our advocates work for Sojourner, are not employees of the courts and are confidential. Services are free. We will not tell the courts that we have talked with you without your permission. If you leave us a voicemail message the courts will not hear it—please be sure to leave us a good phone number to call you back and let us know if it is safe for us to leave a message for you. Our hours are business hours, Monday—Friday.

Criminal Court Cases (414) 933-2722

Please call us if:

• Your abuser has been/may be charged with a crime

• You’re unsure if your abuser has been/may be charged with a crime

• You want to talk with the District Attorney’s office about what you would like to see happen

• You have been asked to testify in a case against your abuser

• You want support and an advocate there with you for your court hearing

• You have evidence or injuries that the District Attorney’s Office may not/doesn’t know about

Civil & Family Court Cases (414) 278-5079

Civil Court cases can include restraining orders and evictions because of domestic abuse. Family Court Cases can include paternity, custody, placement and divorce matters.

Please call us if:

• You need to file a restraining order for yourself and/or your child(ren)

• You need help finding an attorney

• You want support and an advocate with you for your court hearing

• You are thinking about filing for divorce from your abuser

• You have questions about custody/placement/paternity

Children’s Court Cases (414) 278-4536 or (414) 933-2722

Children’s Court cases can include cases where your child(ren) have been removed because of abuse in the home. Please call us if:

• Your child(ren) have been removed from your care/home because of abuse/violence

• You need help finding an attorney

• You want support and an advocate with you for your court hearing

Evidence

Should be saved—in case the police, the District Attorney’s Office or you need it (now or in the future). It may help you show the courts that you/your child(ren) have been abused, and it could help the police be able to make an arrest and/or the District Attorney’s Office to charge your abuser with a crime.

Evidence that can be very important:

• Voicemails

• Text messages (forward to a friend, send to self/friend by email or make a copy of it on a copy machine)

• Emails or other “online evidence” (instant messages, Facebook, blogs, postings, etc.)

• Pictures of injuries and/or property damage

• Letters, notes or emails from your abuser saying he/she is sorry for hurting you

• Cell phone records showing how many times your abuser has called you

• Medical records from your doctor or a hospital

Call us if you do not know the best/safest way to save, store or protect evidence you have. Consider keeping evidence in a place your abuser will never find it.