What Are The Consequences Of A Sex Crime? Part 1

Sexual crimes are amongst the most severely punished offenses in Wisconsin. If you have been formally charged with a sex crime or suspect you soon will be, you need to secure experienced representation from a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. Not only could you be sentenced to several years in jail and significant fines, but you could also face significant collateral consequences that can haunt you for the rest of your life. The good news is that with the help of our experienced legal team, these consequences could be mitigated or even eliminated.

Legal Consequences for Conviction of a Sex Crime in Wisconsin

Individuals who are convicted of a sex crime in Wisconsin should be prepared for both collateral and legal consequences. Depending on the type of crime, the age of the alleged victim, and other circumstances, sentences include as many as 40-60 years in prison or life in prison and fines of as much as $100,000. By hiring and criminal defense attorney who has extensive experience in the local courts and defending clients who are charged with sex crimes, you might be able to have your charges reduced or even dropped. In doing so, your consequences will also be less.

When you are convicted of a sex crime, you can suffer significant collateral consequences as well. Some of the most common include:

• Difficulty obtaining employment
• Disqualification from certain types of jobs
• Restrictions on where you can live
• Damage to your reputation in your community

Mandatory Sex Offender Registration

Perhaps one of the most well-known collateral consequences of a sex crime conviction is having to register as a sex offender. Some sex crime convictions, such as those that involve children, involve mandatory registration as a sex offender. Registration must take place in the jurisdiction where the person convicted lives as soon as they are back in the community. In most places, they must register annually or even more frequently and if they move. Once an individual is on this registry, their information is given to:

• All necessary law enforcement agencies
• Some services organizations
• Jurisdictions where the individual lives or works
• Background check agencies
• Volunteer organizations that provide services to children or disabled individuals
• Other potential parties

Failure to register is another crime itself. When registering, the offender must provide information such as their:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Addresses
• Photograph
• Vehicle information
• Offense information
• Fingerprints
• A DNA sample

Some of this data will appear on the sex offender website, but not all will be made available to the public. Some will only be accessible to law enforcement and government agencies. It is crucial that convicted offenders discuss their requirements for registration with their Eau Claire criminal defense lawyer.

Call An Experienced Sex Offense Attorney

If you are facing allegations of sexual misconduct, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. Call Cohen Law Offices at (715) 514-5051 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.