Few criminal allegations carry more serious personal, legal, and practical consequences than an allegation involving sexual conduct and a minor. An investigation may begin after a report to law enforcement or child protective services, and a person may face intensive scrutiny before all available information has been reviewed.
If you have been contacted by law enforcement, believe you are under investigation, or are facing charges in Milwaukee, it is important to understand your rights and obtain legal advice as early as possible.
Schiro Criminal Defense represents clients in Milwaukee facing serious sex-crime allegations. Every person accused of a crime is entitled to a defense and to responsible legal representation. Call (414) 277-9696 to discuss your situation.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse Charges in Wisconsin
Wisconsin law contains several criminal statutes addressing allegations of sexual conduct involving minors. The possible charge, classification, and potential penalties depend on the facts alleged, including the alleged victim’s age, the nature of the alleged conduct, the accused person’s age, any alleged use of force or injury, and other statutory factors.
Child sexual abuse is often used as a general term, but it does not identify one single Wisconsin offense. A careful review of the specific statute, charging language, and evidence is essential in every case.
What Is Considered Child Sexual Abuse?
Under Wisconsin law, child sexual abuse generally refers to sexual contact or sexual intercourse involving a person under the age of 18, with specific statutes addressing different types of conduct and different age ranges.
The exact charge and its severity depend heavily on the specific allegation, including the age of the alleged victim, the nature of the alleged conduct, and any relationship between the accused and the alleged victim.
Criminal Charges Related to Child Sexual Abuse
Wisconsin's criminal code includes several distinct statutes addressing conduct involving minors:
- First degree sexual assault of a child: Generally the most serious classification, typically involving sexual contact or intercourse with a young child or circumstances involving aggravating factors such as the use of force.
- Second degree sexual assault of a child: Addresses sexual contact or intercourse with a child under specific age thresholds, carrying severe penalties though generally treated as less severe than first degree charges.
- Repeated acts of sexual assault of the same child: Applies when a pattern of alleged sexual assault against the same child occurs over a period of time, allowing prosecutors to charge multiple incidents as a single, aggregated offense.
- Child enticement: Addresses allegations that a person attempted to lure or entice a minor into a vehicle, building, or secluded area with intent to commit a prohibited act, and does not necessarily require that any physical contact actually occurred.
Each of these charges carries its own specific elements that the prosecution must prove, and the specific charge filed in a given case depends on the alleged conduct, the age of the alleged victim, and other statutory factors.
Penalties for Child Sexual Abuse Convictions
Potential penalties in a Wisconsin case involving allegations of sexual conduct with a minor depend on the statute charged, the alleged victim’s age, the nature of the alleged conduct, whether force, threats, or bodily harm are alleged, and whether the State alleges repeated acts. Many of these allegations are charged as felonies.
Depending on the charge, a conviction can carry substantial prison exposure, extended supervision, fines, sex-offender-registration obligations, and other long-term consequences.
Under Wisconsin’s felony classification system, a Class A felony is punishable by life imprisonment, a Class B felony carries a maximum of 60 years’ imprisonment, and a Class C felony carries a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment and may also carry a fine.
For example, Wisconsin law classifies certain first-degree sexual assault of a child allegations as Class A felonies and others as Class B felonies. Second-degree sexual assault of a child is generally a Class C felony. The exact classification depends on the statutory subsection and the facts the State alleges.
Some cases may also involve statutory sentencing provisions, registration requirements, or possible lifetime supervision. Those consequences are highly fact-specific and should be evaluated based on the precise charge, the allegations, the available evidence, and current Wisconsin law. A court may impose lifetime supervision for qualifying serious sex offenses when statutory conditions are met.
Schiro Criminal Defense represents clients facing serious sex-crime allegations in Milwaukee. To discuss the allegations and the potential consequences in your case, call (414) 277-9696.
How Child Sexual Abuse Investigations Typically Begin
These investigations often begin with a report made to law enforcement or child protective services, sometimes prompted by a statement from the alleged victim, a concern raised by a teacher, family member, or medical provider, or an allegation made in the context of a divorce or custody dispute.
Once a report is made, investigators may conduct forensic interviews, review available physical or digital evidence, seek records, and contact people who may have relevant information. In some cases, law enforcement may seek to speak with a person before making an arrest or before formal charges are filed.
When Should I Contact a Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
You should contact an sex crimes attorney the moment you become aware that you are under investigation, even before any formal charges have been filed.
Early involvement allows an attorney to communicate with investigators on your behalf, help ensure you do not make statements that could be used against you, and, in some cases, potentially influence the direction of the investigation before charges are formally filed.
Waiting until after charges have already been filed can mean losing valuable opportunities to protect your rights from the earliest stage of the case.
Defenses Used in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
A defense strategy must be based on the evidence and circumstances of the individual case. Depending on the allegations, a defense attorney may evaluate:
- Whether statements were obtained, documented, or interpreted reliably and lawfully
- Whether the timeline is supported by available records and evidence
- Whether physical, digital, or forensic evidence supports the allegations
- Whether there are alternative explanations for particular evidence or claimed injuries
- Whether witness accounts are consistent with other available information
- Whether law enforcement obtained evidence in compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements
These issues are not present in every case. An attorney should review the allegations and evidence carefully before determining what defense approach may be appropriate.
What To Do If You Are Being Investigated
If you believe you are being investigated in connection with an allegation involving a minor, take the matter seriously. Avoid acting on panic, assumptions, or informal advice. Early decisions can affect communications with investigators, the preservation of information, and the legal options available to you.
- Do not agree to an interview or answer substantive questions from law enforcement before consulting an attorney. You may clearly state that you want to speak with a lawyer before answering questions.
- Do not contact the reporting person, the alleged victim, or family members about the allegations. Direct contact may be misunderstood, may become part of the investigation, or may violate an existing order. Follow every no-contact condition or court order.
- Do not discuss the allegations on social media, by text, email, or direct message. Limit factual discussion of the case to your attorney and the legal team assisting with your defense.
- Preserve potentially relevant information. Do not delete, alter, hide, or ask another person to delete messages, photographs, call logs, account data, or other records. Seek legal advice about preserving information lawfully.
- Prepare a private, factual timeline for your attorney. Record dates, locations, communications, people who may have relevant information, and other details you remember. Do not speculate or attempt to coordinate another person’s account.
- Contact a criminal defense attorney promptly to discuss the allegations, your rights, and how to respond to investigative contact.
Schiro Criminal Defense represents people facing serious sex-crime allegations in Milwaukee. If law enforcement has contacted you or you believe you may be under investigation, call (414) 277-9696 before deciding whether to make a statement.
How Our Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help
Schiro Criminal Defense brings more than 40 years of criminal defense experience to serious cases in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin. That experience includes extensive courtroom practice and familiarity with the local criminal justice process. Every case is different, and the firm evaluates the allegations, evidence, and available legal options on an individualized basis.
Our team thoroughly investigates every detail of the allegation, challenges weak or improperly obtained evidence, and fights to protect your rights and your future at every stage of the process. Our firm also offers a 24-hour answering service, because we know a situation this serious does not wait for business hours.
If you are under investigation or facing a child sexual abuse charge in Milwaukee, do not wait to get legal guidance. Contact Schiro Criminal Defense at (414) 277-9696 to discuss your situation.
