Accused of a Sexual Assault or Sex Crime?
Should I contact a lawyer if I am accused of sexual assault in Wisconsin?
What are penalties for sexual assault charges in Wisconsin?
Sexual assault, more commonly known as rape, carries significant penalties. Law enforcement and courts throughout Wisconsin take these charges seriously, and an accusation of sexual assault, especially charges of 4th degree sexual assault, can destroy your personal and professional reputation and result in everything from jail time to having to register as a sex offender.
Get The Representation You Need

What are types of sexual assault charges and related offenses?
At our firm, our criminal defense attorneys handle all types of sexual assault charges and related offenses:
- First-, second- and third-degree sexual assaults are felony offenses.
- Fourth-degree sexual assault, lewd and lascivious behavior and sexual gratification are misdemeanor offenses.
- Sexual assault of a child (sometimes referred to as child molestation) who is under the age of 15 is a felony offense.
- Sexual intercourse with a child (commonly referred to as statutory rape) who is over the age of 16 is a misdemeanor offense.
Each of these offenses carries serious penalties. The penalties you face will depend on the level of the offense you are charged with and whether you have had previous convictions.
Our attorneys can clearly explain the penalties you are facing and help you understand your options for fighting these charges.
What happens if I am registered as a sex offender in Wisconsin?
How long must I be registered as a sexual offender in Wisconsin?
The length of the requirement to register varies depending on the type of underlying offense. The court has discretion in some situations to set the length of the registration period. Many convictions require registration to continue for at least 15 years. For more serious offenses involving sexual assault of a child, lifetime registration may be required.
What happens if I am entered into the Wisconsin sex offender database?
The Wisconsin sex offender database is available to search online. As a result, future employers and others may be able to discover your sexual assault conviction. For this reason, it is vital that you find an attorney who can defend you against these charges and help you avoid registration as a sex offender.
Free Resources
- The Difference Between Assault and Battery Charges in Wisconsin
Aggravated battery (aggravated assault) is a criminal charge that has to be fought head-on with an experienced criminal defense attorney. You can’t think that you can just throw together a defense at the last minute because trying to do this can backfire on you. You may get years in prison. In these cases, you have to look at the case that the prosecution is going to present so that you can fire back against the accusations. - How Does a Victim’s Identity Affect Assault Charges?
When a person receives assault charges after an altercation, many aspects of that interaction may play into the charges’ severity, often producing more severe consequences than the suspect expected. This is especially true when another party in the conflict is a member of a protected group of people. - What Are the Punishments for Sexual Assault in Wisconsin?
Being charged with sexual assault can be shocking and life-changing. You run the risk of major jail time, large fines, and getting put on the sexual offender registry. However, the court doesn’t treat all sexual assault cases the same in Wisconsin. It is important to determine what applies in your case, so you know what to expect in court. Will Wisconsin Create a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Exemption?
Given the grave consequences that come from having one’s name placed on the state’s sex offender registry, one would only hope and imagine that the laws mandating this as a form of punishment were narrowly tailored.
Schedule A
Free Consultation
(414) 271-9585
Browse our Sex Crimes Knowledge Base for information and tips!




