District Attorney Dashboard
Introducing Our Dashboard
Welcome to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Dashboard. As a governmental agency, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office is committed to accessibility and transparency. We created our initial data dashboard over ten years ago and we constantly update the information in it to provide information that is as current as possible. Recently, we updated the presentation of our dashboard so that it is even more straightforward and meaningful to our entire community.
All of us have a stake in building a community that is healthier and safer, with more economic opportunity for everyone. I hope this presentation of the work done by the dedicated professionals in this office will only enhance our daily collaborative efforts with community members, law enforcement and other agencies dedicated to the safety of our County.
Key Dashboard Takeaways
Fairness in Filing Rates
One part of the dashboards that should make our community proud is the information about filing rates for different racial or ethnic groups. It demonstrates that the DA’s Office files criminal charges at almost exactly the same rate for all groups. While racial disparities in the criminal justice system are present, we have worked to make our part of it as small as possible.Explore Filing →Where We Can Improve
A clear area for improvement for the criminal justice system is the length of time that it takes to complete a criminal case. Since the COVID pandemic, that length of time to disposition has increased for both felonies and misdemeanors. While we have seen a steady decrease in time to disposition in recent years, average times remain above pre-pandemic levels, and we are and have been advocating for more resources, more trial courtrooms, and better procedures in court to address them.Explore Time to Disposition →What Is Next
As we continue to explore data about criminal cases in Milwaukee County, we will monitor things like bail and sentences imposed to ensure a fair and equitable system of justice.
Key Dates in Wisconsin's Criminal Justice System
When exploring the Milwaukee County DA Dashboard, there are important law and policy changes and events to account for. When interpreting this dashboard, consider whether these changes could explain a sudden change in the data.
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Wisconsin implements evidence-based decision making program to establish and test the application of evidence-based practices to criminal justice decisions, with the goal of achieving measureable reductions in pretrial misconduct and post-conviction risk of reoffending.
Marsy's Law
Voters approve an amendment to the Wisconsin Consitution that adds 17 specific rights for crime victims to the state constitution. The amendment includes rights to privacy, timely notice of release, full restitution from the accused, and notification of all proceedings of a criminal case upon request.
Increased Penalties for Carjacking
Wisconsin Legislature passes legislation to increase penalties for crimes such as carjacking with a weapon, unlawful drug distribution resulting in death, and reckless driving.
Bail Reforms
2023 Wisconsin Act 3 implements changes to the Wisconsin Constitution that alter how bail and pre-trial release can be determined. Under the new rules judges may consider public safety risk and prior violent crime convictions when setting bail or conditions of release.
This dashboard was created through the collaboration of the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, Loyola University Chicago's Center for Criminal Justice, Mindful Metrics, and the Prosecutorial Performance Indicators. The goal of the dashboard is to ensure that the general public has access to data about the review and prosecution of criminal cases in Milwaukee County. This project has been supported by Microsoft and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
