Sex with a Minor

Sex With a Minor or Sexual Assault Charges in Wisconsin

Children aged 16 and younger are protected under state law, and no person can legally have sexual intercourse with persons of this age. The charge may be a Class A misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the age and profession of the person accused of the crime. An adult who has engaged in an intimate relationship with a teenager, or is accused of having done so, will have his or her life turned upside down. Just the accusation is enough to destroy a reputation and leave the person living in an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, treated as a social pariah.

A health care provider will face more serious charges, and any teacher, coach or religious leader can face very serious legal consequences if accused of having sex with a minor. Certain agencies and professions, including police, physicians and teachers, have a legal obligation to report suspicions of this nature, and any person can be closely scrutinized after a report has been submitted to Child Protective Services.

The Consequences in Wisconsin

Every case has a unique set of circumstances and evidence that has led to charges being filed. Some cases of sexual assault are relationships in which the two parties engaged in consensual sex and were in a relationship. The ages of the person involved can result in criminal charges being filed, no matter how committed the two are to each other, or that the intimate relationship was consensual and real. Others may involve an adult who is accused of having preyed on a young person. Wisconsin law states that a child, due to age or immaturity, is incapable of understanding the nature or consequences of sexual intercourse or of sexual contact.

Are you accused of sexual assault or sex with a minor? Regardless of your profession or the circumstances surrounding the relationship, if any, these criminal charges put you in great legal jeopardy. Your personal and professional reputation can be irreparably damaged; you could lose your freedom, for years in some cases; and a conviction means that you may be required to be listed on the Sex Offender Registry.

What To Do If You Are Charged With Sex With a Minor

Whether you were actually involved in a sexual act or a relationship with a minor or are falsely accused, you need legal representation immediately. The level of punishment that could be imposed will be life-changing. The criminal justice system is geared to convict, and innocence or mitigating factors are not enough to assume you will be exonerated. Your first action must be to get a lawyer to help you protect your rights.

Connect with a Cafferty & Scheidegger attorney if you are hoping to avoid the consequences of a conviction. In the legal system, the outcome is never certain, but one certainty is that a high-quality defender is the most important aspect in how your case unfolds. Retaining a lawyer with the highest ratings possible on Avvo (10.0 Superb), from Martindale-Hubbell® (AV Preeminent®), and listed for 15 years as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer®, you can be confident your case will be in the hands of a true legal professional.

Call us now for help – we are ready to discuss your legal situation and seek any alternatives that could assist you in avoiding prison, fines and other repercussions. Our early involvement could be very important to your continued freedom, so connect with us immediately for help. We are ready to listen.