Wisconsin laws are very clear: if you’re convicted of a certain type of sex crime, you’ll have to register as a sex offender. Not all “sex crimes” require sex offender registration, and not all people on the registry have actually committed what you and I would think of as sex crimes. It’s always best to talk to your Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer if you’re facing sex crime charges; he or she will be able to tell you what will happen whether or not you’re convicted.
Do I Have to Register as a Sex Offender?
In the state of Wisconsin, only certain convictions require sex offender registration, including:
- Sexual assault (of an adult or of a child)
- Human trafficking for purposes of sex
- Incest
- Possession of child pornography
- Causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity
- Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime
- Soliciting a child for prostitution
- Exposing a child to harmful materials, descriptions or narrations
- Abduction of someone else’s child
- False imprisonment or kidnapping of a minor when you are not their parent
It’s important to note that you may have to register as a sex offender if you are convicted of attempting or conspiring to commit these crimes, as well. Like we mentioned above, not all of these are directly related to sex, either. That’s why it’s essential that you talk to a Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer who can help you… no matter what you’re being charged with.
There Are Exceptions to Who Must Register as a Sex Offender in Wisconsin
Some people who have been convicted of these crimes don’t have to register as sex offenders in the state of Wisconsin. Your attorney will let you know if any of the exceptions may apply in your case.
A Word on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry
If you’re required to register as a sex offender in the state of Wisconsin, you’ll end up on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ website. You can look at the actual registry (just type in a common last name) to see how much detail is included as public information. It includes the offender’s address, the amount of time he or she was incarcerated, the case number and the offense. The registry even automatically generates maps of offenders’ residences.
No matter what you’ve done—or what you haven’t done—it’s vital to your future that you talk to a Milwaukee criminal defense attorney who deals with sex crimes. Your attorney will protect your rights under Wisconsin law, and at a time like this, you could use someone in your corner.
