State v. Cummings

These cases were consolidated by the court of appeals and certified to this court pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 809.61 (1993-94). *729Although each case is factually dissimilar, we accepted certification in order to collectively address questions concerning the interpretation of Wis. Stat. § 968.26 (1993-94),1 the statute authorizing Wisconsin's John Doe proceeding.

There are four issues regarding the John Doe proceeding before this court: (1) does a John Doe judge have the power to issue a search warrant; (2) does a John Doe judge have the power to seal a search warrant; (3) may a district attorney,…