Will I Have to Register as a Sex Offender If I Was Accused of a Sex Crime?

 Posted on April 09, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Criminal charges of any kind have the potential to dramatically alter the course of an individual’s life. However, few allegations compare to being accused of a sex crime. If you have been accused of a criminal offense related to indecent exposure, child pornography, sexual assault, or criminal sexual abuse, you could be facing severe criminal and personal consequences. In Wisconsin, individuals who are convicted of certain sex-based offenses are required to register as sex offenders for a minimum of ten years. This means that the offender’s name, picture, and other identifying information will be publicly available on the sex offender website.

Which Crimes Require an Individual to Appear on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry?

An individual must appear on the sex offender registry if he or she is convicted of a misdemeanor or felony sex offense listed in the Wisconsin Statute 973.048. In some cases, a criminal conviction automatically requires registration and in other cases, the court has discretion about whether an offender must register as a sex offender. Some of the most common offenses for which a person may be required to register include:

• Sexual assault of an adult
• Sexual assault of a child
• Child enticement 
• Possession of child pornography 
• Abduction of a child
• Incest
• Sexual exploitation by a therapist
• Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime
• Soliciting a child for prostitution
• Exposing a child to harmful materials

How Long Will I Appear on the Sex Offender Registry?

The length of time that a person must appear on the sex offender registry is determined by the offense he or she has been convicted of. Typically, sex offenders must appear on the registry for a minimum of 15 years. Convictions for certain crimes require the offender to register for life. These offenses include:

• Violent acts under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 980
• Two or more convictions of the same sexual offense
• First or second-degree sexual assault 
• Repeat acts with a child
• Acts with a child in substitute care

A registered sex offender must renew his or her registration every year and inform the Wisconsin Department of Corrections of any change in address or employment. The registration will show the offender's name, address, name of employer, physical description, and a description of the offense he or she committed. 

Contact a Milwaukee County Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of a sex crime or a crime against a child, your career, reputation, and freedom are on the line. At Bucher Law Group, LLC, we believe in the tenet of “innocent until proven guilty.” Our Waukesha County criminal defense attorneys are fierce advocates for the accused. We can help you develop a powerful defense against sex crime charges. Call us for a free, confidential consultation at 262-303-4916.

Source:

https://appsdoc.wi.gov/public