D.A. seeks county’s help to fund victim witness position

Ozaukee County District Attorney Ben Lindsay told county supervisors recently now would be a good time to expand his office’s Victim Witness Program but he needs the county’s help to do so.

The program is down to one employee, Coordinator Lisa Haasch, since her former assistant Jill Nitschke left to take a position with the state Department of Corrections, Lindsay told the county Public Safety Committee.

The program provides assistance to victims and witnesses in adult and juvenile criminal cases. Responsibilities include  notifying them of court dates, escorting them to and from court, providing restitution information, helping prepare impact statements and otherwise supporting them.

The services are mandated by the Victim’s Bill of Rights, otherwise known as Marsey’s Law, that was passed in April 2020 by the state Legislature.

It mandates that victims be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, ensuring their rights are enforced with equal weight to the rights of the accused.

The pressure the law puts on Haasch is unsustainable at the current staffing level, Lindsay said.

“We have three courts and five prosecutors. Lisa can’t be in two places at once,” he said. “Almost every day she’s sitting in court with victims or witnesses to help them feel safe and comfortable.

“It’s very important work. There’s lots of potential for burnout.”

Lindsay’s office is jointly funded by the state and Ozaukee County. The state pays the salaries and fringe benefits for the elected district attorney and assistant district attorneys, while the county funds the office’s support staff, such as Haasch, operational costs and supplies.

The state reimburses the county for 55% of Haasch’s total salary and benefits and for the 26 hours, or two-thirds time, that the assistant works. The assistant does not get fringe benefits.

Lindsay is asking county supervisors to make the assistant’s job full time and to provide full benefits.

Making the change is important to help Lindsay recruit and retain a new assistant.

“I don’t see how this is workable in the long run otherwise,” Lindsay said.

Adding the 14 hours and benefits would cost the county about $50,000, County Administrator Jason Dzwinel told the committee.

Haasch’s office has an annual budget of $162,843.

The committee didn’t vote on Lindsay’s proposal but was supportive and directed Lindsay and Dzwinel to develop a detailed plan to present to the committee.