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What Restrictions Apply to Registered Sex Offenders in Wisconsin?
By: All criminal charges should be taken seriously, since a conviction can result in multiple types of penalties, including prison sentences, probation, fines, or the loss of a professional license. Accusations involving sex crimes can be especially worrisome, since, in addition to other criminal penalties, a person who is convicted may be required to register as a sex offender. This can impact multiple parts of a person’s life and cause permanent damage to their reputation, their ability to find a job, and their relationships with family members, friends, and others in their community.
Requirements and Restrictions for People on the Sex Offender Registry
Generally, anyone who is convicted of a sexual offense will be required to register as a sex offender. This requirement will also apply to minors who are adjudicated delinquent based on sexual offenses, those who were found not guilty of sexual offenses based on mental illnesses, and residents of Wisconsin who were convicted of sex crimes in other states or jurisdictions.
There are a few exceptions to the sex offender registration requirements. These include:
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Cases where a person was charged with sexual assault of a child while they were under the age of 19, they were no more than four years older or younger than the alleged victim, and the offense did not involve sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 12
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Cases where a person who was under the age of 19 was convicted of third degree sexual assault against a victim who was over the age of 15
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Cases where a person was convicted of offenses involving the invasion of privacy and received an expungement
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Cases where a person was convicted of taking, possessing, or distributing nude pictures of someone else without their consent, and a court determines that the person should be released from their reporting requirements after completing their sentence or period of probation
Those who are required to register as sex offenders will need to provide the sex offender registry with multiple forms of information, including their name and any aliases they use; identifying information such as their gender, race, height, weight, hair color, and eye color; the statute(s) they were convicted of violating; the date they were released from prison, placed on parole or supervised release, or entered the state of Wisconsin; all addresses where they will be living; the name and address of their employer(s); and information about their online activities, including email addresses, social media profiles, usernames on different websites or apps, and websites they maintain.
A person will be required to report information annually, or any time relevant changes occur. In most cases, reporting will be required for 15 years after the person completed their sentence and is discharged from prison, parole, or probation. However, “serious sex offenders” who have been convicted of offenses such as sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a child, or possession of child pornography, will be subject to lifetime sex offender registration.
Contact Our Milwaukee, WI Sensitive Crimes Defense Attorneys
Because the restrictions that may apply for sex crime convictions can be so severe, it is crucial to work with an attorney to respond to any accusations of sexual offenses and determine the best defense strategy against these charges. At Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, we can protect your rights in these situations and help you determine how to proceed during your case. To learn how we can provide you with the defense you need, contact our Milwaukee sex crimes lawyers at 414-271-1440.
Sources:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/301/45
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/939/iv/615
