Opinion ID: 1943617
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: John Doe Proceedings Generally

Text: ¶ 13 John Doe proceedings, which have been around since Wisconsin's territorial days, have two purposes. First, they are an investigative tool designed to allow the judge to determine whether a crime has been committed, and if so, who committed it. State ex rel. Reimann v. Circuit Court for Dane County, 214 Wis.2d 605, 621, 571 N.W.2d 385 (1997). Second, they exist to protect innocent people from frivolous and groundless prosecutions. Id. ¶ 14 Wisconsin Stat. § 968.26 outlines a four-step process for John Doe proceedings. [7] First, the judge must determine whether a complainant has alleged objective, factual assertions sufficient to support a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed. Reimann, 214 Wis.2d at 623, 571 N.W.2d 385. ¶ 15 If the petitioner's complaint supports a reason to believe that a crime has been committed, then the judge must proceed with a hearing at which the judge shall examine the complainant under oath and any witnesses produced by him or her. Wis. Stat. § 968.26. We have previously concluded that this provision requires the judge to examine the complainant. Reimann, 214 Wis.2d at 615, 571 N.W.2d 385 ([W]e conclude that once a John Doe complainant has shown that he or she has reason to believe a crime has been committed, the judge has no discretion to refuse to examine the complainant.). Today we address the statute's applicability to witnesses the complainant proffers. [8] Critical to our analysis here is the statute's declaration that [t]he extent to which the judge may proceed in the examination is within the judge's discretion. Wis. Stat. § 968.26. ¶ 16 At the close of the hearing, the judge must determine whether it appears probable from the testimony given that a crime has been committed and who committed it. Id. This means a judge must determine whether probable cause exists as to each essential element of the alleged crime. See State v. Watson, 227 Wis.2d 167, 205, 595 N.W.2d 403 (1999). The judge makes his or her probable cause determination by assessing only the plausibility of a witness's testimony, not the credibility or trustworthiness of the witness. See Wilson v. State, 59 Wis.2d 269, 294, 208 N.W.2d 134 (1973). ¶ 17 Finally, if the judge determines that probable cause is presentthat is, that a crime probably has been committedand who the perpetrator of the alleged crime is, the judge may order that a criminal complaint be reduced to writing and (if so ordered) that a warrant issue for the arrest of the accused. Wis. Stat. § 968.26. A John Doe judge has broad discretion to decide whether to file a criminal complaint, even upon a finding of probable cause. [9]