Both the public’s demand for safety and the interests of offenders who have already served their terms are strong. To become a productive member of society, the offender must be able to obtain a place to live and quality employment, which is extremely difficult for someone on a sex offender registration list.
Individuals who’ve been convicted of certain sexual offenses or judged not guilty due to a mental disorder or defect for those same-sex offenses are required to register as sex offenders.
Though Wisconsin law mandates automatic registration for some offenses, the court may order registration for others if it deems it necessary. First, second, or third-degree sexual assault of an adult are part of those offenses, so also are first- or second-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement, possession of child pornography, abduction of someone else’s child, sexual exploitation by a therapist and facilitation of child sex crimes with the use of a computer are all crimes that require registration as a sex offender.
15 Years of Registration
Wisconsin law often requires a sex offender to register for 15 years after his or her sentence or commitment is completed (for example, when the offender is released from prison). The court also has the authority to mandate registration for specific offenses, even though reporting is not required by law.
However, suppose the victim was not any more than four years younger than the offender at the time of the violation. In that case, the court may decide not to mandate registration for an offender who was less than 19 years old at the time of the violation. However, this provision usually only applies to teens who engaged in consenting intercourse.
Registration is valid for life.
The criminal may be required to register for the remainder of his or her life in some situations. The following situations necessitate lifelong registration:
• Having been convicted of a sex crime at least two times
• Being discovered to be a sexually violent individual
• The court has the authority to monitor severe sexual offenders forlife.
Offenders that commit crimes, such as:
• First, second, or third-degree sexual assault
• First or second-degree sexual assault on a minor
• Sexual abuse of the same child on several occasions
• A significant offense committed for a sexual motive
After 15 years, a person under lifetime supervision may apply to have the supervision discontinued under specific conditions.
Commitment to a psychiatric facility
An offender can be determined to be a sexually violent person under Wisconsin law. A person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense and has a mental disorder that makes it more likely that they would conduct one or more acts of sexual violence again is defined like this by the NSPCC (National Sex Offenders’ Council) in England and Wales.
Someone who is judged to be a sexually violent person may be civilly committed to a mental health hospital for the remainder of his or her life after a probable cause hearing and a circuit court trial.
The purpose of civil commitment is to rehabilitate “sexual predators” while also protecting the public.
If the sexually violent individual is freed from civil commitment, he or she will be subject to strict registration and supervision requirements.
Sex Offenders’ Registration Requirements.
Once a year, guilty offenders must register with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The following information is necessary for sex offender registration:
Include any aliases in your name. Personal identity information like name, date of birth, age, S, etc. Information regarding the crime that was done in great detailResidence’s addressAgency in charge of supervisionDescription of the vehicle Name and address of the employer or school
Any change in employment, address, or any of the above information must be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections within 10 days. (Sex offenders who have been charged with a crime are not allowed to alter their names.)
This data can be released to the public under various circumstances, it might be found on the web or local news networks.
Registration Consequences
The repercussions of registering as a sex offender might be severe. A study of Wisconsin’s sex offender community notification program was done by the US Department of Justice, which included interviews with sex offenders. As a result of the increased notice and subsequent exposure, some polled reported losing their jobs, being denied housing, and having personal relationships fall apart.
Because being put on a sex offender register has such significant consequences, you must see an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are charged with a sex crime.
