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What Are Common Sexual Assault Charges in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law takes sexual assault crimes seriously, especially if the charges involve a minor. However, sometimes law enforcement officials make mistakes, blaming the wrong individual. One of the important parts of fighting accusations of sexual assault is understanding what the charges mean.
Some typical sexual assault cases our legal team handles include:
- Rape
- Statutory rape
- Date rape
- Sexual assault
- Indecent exposure
- Sexual abuse
- Child molestation
- Lewd conduct
- Prostitution
- Child pornography
- Sexual battery
For legal counsel and help fighting your sexual assault charges, contact our skilled legal team immediately.
How Does Wisconsin Law Classify a Sexual Assault Conviction?
According to the Wisconsin legal code, sexual assault is “sexual contact or sexual intercourse with another person without consent of that person.” Many acts that qualify as sexual assault are considered felonies in Wisconsin, including crimes that result in pregnancy, injury, or death of the victim. However, some sexual assault charges may be classified as misdemeanors, including lewdness in public.
Sexual Assault Felonies
The various forms of sexual assault felonies result in severe penalties, including registering as a sex offender in your community. These charges should not be taken lightly and should be handled by a knowledgeable criminal defense legal team.
Sexual assault felonies come in three different categories: first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree sexual assault.
First-Degree Sexual Assault
First-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony. Some charges that could result in first-degree sexual assault include
- Sexual contact that results in pregnancy
- Sexual contact that results in severe bodily injury
- Sexual assault while threatening the victim with a dangerous weapon
- Sexual assault aided and abetted by one or more other people
Second-Degree Sexual Assault
Second-degree sexual assault is considered a Class C felony and includes the following:
- Sexual assault that results in emotional damage or psychological harm
- Sexual assault under threat of physical violence
- Sexual assault with a person who is incapable of giving consent, either through intoxication, drug use, mental disability, or being unconscious
- Sexual assault by a law enforcement officer with a person whom any law enforcement officer detains
Third-Degree Sexual Assault
Persons who commit acts such as ejaculating, urinating, or defecating on another person may be charged with third-degree sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Misdemeanors
Other sexual acts are not felonies in Wisconsin but may still result in fines and jail time. These are usually classified as fourth-degree sexual assault and could be considered up to Class A misdemeanors.
Fourth-Degree Sexual Assault
Sexual assault in the fourth degree includes acts such as groping, fondling, or other sexual activity without the victim’s consent. Some other examples of sexual assault misdemeanors are:
- · Lewdness in public
- Drawing obscene pictures in public
- Writing obscene words in public
- Groping or fondling without the victim’s consent
- Indecent exposure
What Are the Penalties for a Sexual Assault Conviction?
If you are charged with sexual assault in Wisconsin, you may feel afraid about what the future will hold. Understanding what penalties a conviction could bring is essential as you work with your attorney to fight these charges.
Fines
A sexual assault conviction can bring heavy fines, especially if you are charged with felony sexual assault. For example, a Class C felony, or second-degree sexual assault, can result in up to $100,000 in fines. Third-degree sexual assault, a Class G felony, may be punished by a fine of up to $25,000. Even misdemeanors could lead to fines of up to $10,000.
Jailtime
Another serious consequence of a sexual assault conviction is jail time. Many individuals worry about how long they will spend in jail when charged with sexual assault. Since these charges are extremely serious, a conviction could land you in federal prison, in some cases, for life. Wisconsin law provides the following as guidelines for how long assailants will spend in prison or jail:
- Up to 60 years for a Class B felony
- Up to 40 years for Class C felony sexual assault
- Up to 10 years in prison for Class G sexual assault
- Up to 9 months in prison for Class A misdemeanor sexual assault
For the best chances at minimizing your time in jail or getting your charges thrown out, contact Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC immediately!
Sex Offender Registry
Finally, a serious consequence of a sexual assault conviction is registering as a sex offender in your location. This can affect where you can live and work, whether you can volunteer with children, and can negatively impact your social life. Call our legal team to fight your sexual assault charges today.
How Can I Fight My Sexual Assault Charges?
Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference in your conviction. We often help clients get their charges lowered from a felony to a misdemeanor or even dismissed. Some strategies we use to fight unfair sexual assault charges against our clients include:
- Reviewing the prosecution’s evidence to find holes and introduce doubt about your guilt
- Conducting a thorough investigation to uncover evidence that proves you are innocent
- Proving the alleged victim gave consent to the sexual activity
- Bringing character witnesses to build a positive view of your moral character
Should You Hire Our Sexual Assault Defense Attorney?
When you are facing sexual assault charges, you may wonder if there is any way to defeat the claim against you. However, there is hope when you hire our excellent legal team.
Please don’t go through this challenging time alone. Reach out to Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC, for knowledgeable attorneys who will fight for your rights and help get your charges reduced or dismissed. Call today at 608-820-8926.