Welcome to the Dane County District Attorney's Office
As a representative of the people of the State of Wisconsin, the primary role of the DA's Office is to prosecute all adult criminal and juvenile delinquent acts that occur within the 27 cities and villages of Dane County and its 34 townships. I am proud of the dedicated attorneys, victim-witness advocates, investigators, paralegals, and clerical staff who handle approximately 13,000 cases a year. These cases range from civil traffic offenses to homicides.
Our goal is prompt and fair justice while providing critical services to crime victims and their families.
The staff of the DA's Office believes that peace and justice are not possible in any community without progressive and fair law enforcement, which includes prevention and diversion programs. We consistently apply equal justice under the law to protect the community and work to ensure that victims of crime are treated with compassion and respect. I have very much appreciated the opportunity to serve the public in this position since August 2010. I welcome feedback from the public about how we might fulfill our mission more effectively.
Dane County District Attorney's Office Hate Crimes Policy
Crime Victim Rights & Assistance
Domestic Violence Unit
Legal Resources
Dane County Deferred Prosecution Child Abuse Initiative
Child Abuse Initiative
In collaboration with the Dane County Criminal Justice Council Racial Disparities Subcommittee, the District Attorney's Office started the Dane County Deferred Prosecution Child Abuse Initiative in 2014 in an effort to reduce the use of corporal punishment and address racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
No Hit Zone
As part of the Child Abuse Initiative, the District Attorney's Office joined children's hospitals across the country and established a No Hit Zone to create and reinforce an environment of safety and comfort for all people who come into the District Attorney’s Office and its public spaces.
DANE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S RESPONSE TO UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT’S DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE - JUNE 24, 2022
Every day the Dane County District Attorney’s Office works tirelessly fighting for women whose bodies and privacy have been violated. As your District Attorney, I have no intention of ever stopping that important work. There are plenty of archaic laws on the books that represent the values of days past. I have every intention of utilizing the power Dane County voters entrusted in me and will use my discretion to prosecute only those crimes that keep our community safe and represent our collective values. If the voters want a district attorney who prosecutes women for seeking an abortion or licensed providers who are acting in the best interest of their patients, they will need to elect someone else.
– Ismael Ozanne, Dane County District Attorney
- August 12, 2024 - No Criminal Liability for Mount Horeb Police Officers in the Officer Involved Shooting Incident in the Village of Mount Horeb on May 1, 2024
- May 10, 2024 - No Criminal Liability for Monona Police Officer Involved in Pursuit of Vehicle which Crashed on January 1, 2024
- April 18, 2023 - New PSA Asks Parents to Reconsider the Use of Physical Discipline with Their Children
- February 3, 2023 - No Criminal Liability for Dane County Sheriff's Deputy Involved in Shooting Incident on October 23, 2022
- February 2, 2023 - No Criminal Liability for Dane County Sheriff's Deputy Involved in Shooting Incident on October 13, 2022
- June 24, 2022 - Dane County District Attorney's Response to United States Supreme Court's Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade
- March 7, 2022 - No Criminal Liability for MPD Officers Involved in Shooting Incident on 11-28-2021
- January 14, 2021 - Community Leaders to Host a Press Conference to Address Local Crime and Call for Mentors
- December 8, 2020 - Statement Regarding Postconviction Decision in State of Wisconsin vs. Jennifer Hancock
- November 13, 2020 - No Criminal Liability for Law Enforcement Officer Involved in Death of Elliott Johnson on September 17, 2020
- September 8, 2020 - No Criminal Liability for Law Enforcement Officers in Relation to Monona Crash and Drowning Occurring June 27, 2020
- August 29, 2020 - District Attorney Statement of Support for Peaceful Protesters and Denouncing the Presence of Armed Extremists and Gun Violence in the Wake of Kenosha Incidents
- March 26, 2020 - DA's Office Works With Sheriff To Protect Victims and To Maintain Public Safety
- 26 de marzo de 2020 - Fiscal del condado de Dane trabaja con el shérif para proteger a víctimas y mantener la seguridad pública
- March 17, 2020 - Victim services during covid-19 public health crisis
- 17 de marzo de 2020 - Servicios para víctimas durante la crisis de salud pública por COVID-19
- March 5, 2020 - District Attorney's Office Hosted Community Read about Domestic Violence
- October 16, 2018 - District Attorney Response to Chief Koval's Blog Regarding Juvenile Justice System
- September 21, 2018 - Trauma Response Efforts for Middleton Shooting
- November 11, 2015 - 2015 Cultural Context of Corporal Punishment Conference
- May 12, 2015 - No Criminal Charges Issued in Tony Robinson Officer Involved Shooting