Under Wisconsin law, there are certain special classes of sex offenses that cover sex crimes against children. One of these classes is the offense of sexual assault of a child. This offense generally covers the committing of sexual contact or intercourse towards a minor who is under the age of 16.
Sexual assault of a child is a felony offense here in Wisconsin. Being convicted of this offense can leave a person facing a range of major punishments. What particular penalties can be leveled for a conviction of this offense varies. This is because sexual assault against a child comes in multiple degrees (first and second) and can come in at three different felony levels (Class A, Class B and Class C).
Which degree and felony class a given sexual assault of a child offense would fall under depends on a variety of things, including:
- Just how much under the age of 16 the victim of the offense was.
- Whether the victim suffered great bodily harm.
- Whether the offense involved the use of force or the threat of force.
So, a variety of factors can influence the specific stakes, punishment-wise, in a case involving allegations of this type of sex crime.
Now, the major legal punishments a conviction can carry are not the only things that make being accused of this sex crime against a minor an incredibly serious thing to face. Another is the major social stigma that can go with being the subject of such allegations.
So, when a person is accused of sexual assault of a child here in Wisconsin, all kinds of aspects of their life can end up being impacted by what course their case ends up taking. Skilled sex crime defense lawyers can give individuals facing such impactful allegations guidance on their case and their options when it comes to defense approach.
Source: Wisconsin State Legislature, “Wisconsin Statutes – 948.02 – Sexual assault of a child.,” Accessed Feb. 6, 2017