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A statutory rape conviction in Appleton would include up to 60 years in prison (Class B felony). A Class C felony conviction would include up to $100,000 in fines and/or up to 40 years in prison. Many statutory rape penalties also require you to register to the sex offender registry for the rest of your life.
What is Statutory Rape?
In Wisconsin, statutory rape is when someone who is much older sexually assaults someone who is under the age of consent. The age of consent in Wisconsin is 18 years old. Although, a 17-year old (or younger) can be charged as an adult.
Romeo Juliet Laws in Wisconsin allow two individuals who are both under the age of 18 to have consensual sex. If sex in this situation is not consensual, then a second-degree sexual assault of a child may have been committed.
Penalties for Statutory Rape in Appleton
Depending on the details of your case, you could be facing a collection of different charges and penalties. In Wisconsin, statutory rape is either a felony or a misdemeanor.
First-Degree Sexual Assault of a Child:
If someone sexually assaults a child 13 years or younger, and the assault results in an injury, it is a Class A felony. This crime will likely result in life in prison. If the child was older than 13, and no injury took place, it could result in up to 60 years in prison.
Second-Degree Sexual Assault of a Child:
This crime is a Class C felony that comes with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
Third-Degree Sexual Assault of a Child:
Third-degree sexual assault of a child is a Class G felony. This type of crime has a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and fines up to $25,000.
Underage Sexual Activity:
This crime is often considered to be a Class A misdemeanor and comes with up to 9 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Attorney for Statutory Rape in Appleton
Grieve Law has a team of criminal defense attorneys that defend against statutory rape charges. You are only guilty if you are convinced. Believing you can navigate a statutory rape charge without an attorney is a horrible mistake you never want to make. A statutory rape charge will stay on your record forever and will likely make your life significantly more difficult thereafter.
The former prosecutors at Grieve Law want to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case. If it’s not possible to drop your charges, Grieve Law will still fight to lessen your penalties as much as the law will allow. It’s our goal to make sure your bad day doesn’t turn into a bad life.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our expert criminal defense attorneys to learn more about the details of your case and how you can lessen or drop your charges.
How long will these charges stay on my record?
A statutory rape charge in Wisconsin will stay on your record for the rest of your life. You will also be required to register as a sex offender on the official sex offender registry for the rest of your life. This type of charge is embarrassing and is publicly accessible for anyone to see, including employers and family members.
How to beat statutory rape charges
If sexual intercourse or sexual contact between two individuals is consensual and the parties are the right age, reducing a felony charge down to a misdemeanor is the ideal first step in beating your charges. You should always question the reliability and accuracy of the “victim’s” story. There have been many cases of false accusations due to jealousy or other unjustifiable reasons. The best thing you can do to beat a statutory rape charge is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who’s dealt with similar cases in the past.
