Milwaukee Sex Crime Lawyers 

Compassionate Legal Advocacy Against Sex Crime Charges in Waukesha County

For more than any other crime, it is important that those accused of a sex crime prepare a strong defense. Sex offenses carry serious penalties and could affect the rest of your life. As soon as an investigation begins, you should have an attorney who can ensure that your rights are protected. For one, it is critical to be careful of police officers who "just want to clear this up" or "just want to get your side." Also be aware that you can be interrogated for a crime without even realizing it, such as where officers ask questions designed to get responses that they want to use against you.

Our Milwaukee sex offense lawyers will protect your rights at every stage of the criminal investigation and court proceedings. We will work hard to win or at least successfully negotiate your sex offense to a lesser charge. Don’t speak to law enforcement without an attorney. Let’s strategize your defense plan first and help you out of this stressful time.

Contact Ritter Law Office, LLP online for a free consultation to get started. Call our office today at (414) 441-4321.

Understanding Sexual Assault in Wisconsin

Wisconsin classifies sexual assault offenses into 4 levels from most serious to less serious:

• First-Degree Sexual Assault – Sexual contact or intercourse with someone without their consent that causes pregnancy or serious physical injury, by use of a dangerous weapon (gun, knife, dog), or through help from another person and the sexual activity was accomplished by use or threat of violence
• Second-Degree Sexual Assault – Sexual contact or sex by use or threat of force or violence; causing injury, disease, reproductive impairment, or mental anguish; involving an alleged victim who is mentally ill, intoxicated, or unconscious; with help from one or more individual; or involving a specially protected class of employee (e.g., an employee of an in-patient care facility or foster home, a correctional officer, a probation officer)
• Third-Degree Sexual Assault – Sexual intercourse or contact involving intentional ejaculation, urine, or feces of either the defendant or alleged victim on any part of either's body for purposes of sexual humiliation or gratification
• Fourth-Degree Sexual Assault – Non-consensual sexual contact with a person involving intentional touching directly or through clothing if for sexual humiliation or gratification 

First-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony punishable by up to 60 years in jail, and second-degree sexual assault is a Class C felony punishable by up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. Third-degree sexual assault is also a felony at the Class G level with 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines, while fourth-degree assault is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor that carries up to 9 months in prison a $10,000 fine. 

Sexual Offenses Against Children

Sexual offenses involving children are also punished harshly as felonies. Wisconsin classifies 2 types of sexual assault of a child:

• First-Degree Sexual Assault – Sexual contact or intercourse with a child younger than 13 years old; sexual intercourse with a child under 12 years old or 12-16 years old by use or threat of force or violence; or sexual contact with a person under the age of 16 by use or threat of force or violence if the defendant is at least 18 years old at the time of contact
• Second-Degree Sexual Assault – Sexual contact or intercourse with a person under 16 years old

First-degree sexual assault of a child is typically a Class B felony punishable by 60 years in prison, but if the incident causes injury to the child the crime is a Class A felony punishable by life imprisonment. Second-degree sexual assault of a child is a Class C felony punishable by 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Note that a person can also be charged with “failure to act” if they know that someone intends, is having, or has had sexual intercourse or contact with a child, is able to prevent this contact, but fails to act in protection of the child. Failure to act is a Class F felony that carries up to 12.5 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

Sex Offender Registration in Wisconsin

A conviction for any sex crime will require registration as a sex offender, usually for a period of 15 years after being discharged. However, for the more serious convictions, the offender must register for life. Offenses requiring lifetime sex offender registration include:

• first- or second-degree sexual assault of an adult or child;
• repeat acts with a child;
• acts with a child in substitute care;
• certain violent acts;
• 2 or more convictions of the same sexual offense.

It can feel intimidating and overwhelming to navigate a sex-related allegation. At Ritter Law Office, LLP, we strive to provide more humane and understanding legal representation in an often impersonal and daunting legal system. We will foster a calming presence in the office as we discuss your defense options, and we will listen carefully to your needs and situation to build a personalized legal strategy for dismissed or mitigated charges. 

Call our firm at (414) 441-4321 or schedule a free consultation online to learn more. Work with a team of attorneys who genuinely care about you.