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1st-degree sexual assault is generally a Class B felony in Madison, Wisconsin carrying penalties of up to 60 years in prison. If the victim was under 13 years old, the penalty for sexual assault in Wisconsin is potentially life in prison.
If you are facing sexual assault charges in Madison, call Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys at (608) 405-2071 for a free case consultation.
Penalties for Sexual Assault in Dane County
Sexual assault is a felony offense in Wisconsin and the circumstances of the crime can greatly impact the penalties you may face.
1st-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony. Penalties include:
2nd-degree sexual assault is a Class C felony. Penalties include:
3rd-degree sexual assault is a Class G felony. Penalties include:
4th-degree sexual assault is a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties include:
Penalties increase if the conviction includes:
If convicted, you'll be required to register as a sex offender in Wisconsin. When you’re released from prison, you will have to continually confirm your address with local law enforcement, and there will likely be restrictions on where you’re allowed to live and work. Even the most “minor” sexual assault charges can ruin you financially and destroy your career, your family and your reputation. Jumping bail only increases the severity of your penalties. If you're not sure which felony/misdemeanor class your charges fall under, reach out to us for more information, or learn more about Class U misdemeanors in Wisconsin.
Our Madison-area team of sexual assault defense lawyers knows a sex crime conviction can result in life-shattering consequences. If you’ve been accused of a sex crime, it’s imperative you understand the charges being filed against you and you have an experienced attorney on your side. Grieve Law is here to fight for your future by working to reduce or dismiss your charges.
Our Madison sexual assault defense attorneys know prosecutors take sex crime charges in Wisconsin very seriously and are reluctant to even hear your side of the story.
During your free initial consultation, our Madison lawyers listen to the specifics of your case to build the strongest defense possible. Whether you're from Verona, Monona, Middleton, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg or any Dane County community, we’ll explain your options in detail and tell you what you can expect from the legal process moving forward.
Our experienced attorneys have a history of employing strategic & effective defenses. We'll evaluate every aspect of your case and advise you of the best ways to get your charges reduced or dropped.
You are only guilty if you are convicted™
Degrees of Sexual Assault in Wisconsin
Sexual assault falls into 4 degrees of severity with the first being the most serious.
2nd-degree sexual assault is an even broader category. It includes:
3rd-degree sexual assault includes:
Finally, 4th-degree sexual assault covers any other non-consensual sexual contact, short of intercourse. Groping falls under this category.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 4 DEGREES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN WISCONSIN AND THE PENALTIES & SENTENCING GUIDELINES
City |
Rape |
Sodomy/Oral Sex |
Sexual Assault With an Object |
Fondling |
Incest |
Statutory Rape |
All Sex Offenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belleville | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Mounds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cottage Grove | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cross Plains | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dane Co | 15 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| DeForest | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Fitchburg | 8 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 22 |
| Madison | 66 | 8 | 17 | 103 | 0 | 7 | 201 |
| Madison Town | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Maple Bluff | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marshall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| McFarland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Middleton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Monona | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Mount Horeb | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Oregon | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Shorewood Hills | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stoughton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Sun Prairie | 6 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 23 |
| UW-Madison | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Verona | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| Waunakee | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 117 | 25 | 31 | 190 | 0 | 14 | 377 |
What if I am Innocent?
Many sexual assault allegations come down to consent and the understanding of “no means no”. Unfortunately, false accusations of sexual assault are common due to misunderstandings or misintention. With any case involving sex crimes, often the mindset of the court is “guilty until proven innocent”. The attorneys at Grieve Law will work to maintain your innocence and minimize your penalties.
If you are facing sexual assault charges, the best things you can do is:
We understand that any accusation of sexual assault is terrifying. Contact the experienced attorneys at Grieve Law; we’ll start building a case that will help clear your name of false accusations.
Madison Criminal Defense Lawyers Believe in Your Right to a Powerful Defense
At Grieve Law, we believe every person accused of a crime has a right to a strong, strategic defense. When your case requires the very best criminal defense lawyers Dane County has to offer, turn to Grieve Law.
Our team of attorneys offers free consultations and flexible payment plans. A Grieve Law Madison criminal defense lawyer will make sure you get the best possible defense for your case.
In Wisconsin, a conviction of sexual assault will remain on your record for life. Two common ways to try to remove the conviction from your record are petitioning for expungement or a Governor’s pardon. Expungement must be ordered at the time of sentencing and requires a very specific set of circumstances, so it is critical to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side from the onset of your case. A Governor’s pardon is very rarely granted and depends on the administration in office at the time of your petition.
Our attorneys take your case seriously. We'll work diligently to get your charges reduced or dismissed so you can get your life back.
Yes.
The person involved must have been of legal age and must have indicated agreement competently and freely with clearly spoken words or with overt actions while not incapacitated due to alcohol, drugs, disability or an altered state of consciousness.
If convicted, you’ll be required to register as a sex offender in Wisconsin for at least 15 years after you’re discharged from parole or supervision. In some cases, individuals are required to register for longer-even for life.
