With so many young adults meeting online these days, potential problems exist when someone over the age of 18 and someone under the age of 18 become romantically involved. Sometimes young people do not realize that they may be committing a crime when they enter into a sexual relationship with another young adult who may be just shy of his or her 18th birthday.
Although the age of consent is 16 years of age in Wisconsin, consensual sexual contact between a minor 16 to 18 years old and someone over the age of 18 can still be charged as a Class A misdemeanor because people under a certain age are deemed too immature to consent.
Statutory rape is divided into different charges, with varying consequences, which depend on factors such as the age of the minor involved. While misdemeanor sexual assault of a minor (someone 16 and up) is punishable by 9 months imprisonment and up to a 10K fine, the consequences for sexual assault involving someone under the age of 16 but over the age of 14 - despite consent - is a felony punishable by decades in jail and tens of thousands in fines.
It is important to ensure that young adults over the age of 18 understand that it is illegal to engage in sexual contact with a minor - even those who have reached the Wisconsin “age of consent”. Social media and other apps have brought young people together like never before, which can sometimes result in even well-intentioned, young adults getting into trouble when relationships involve someone under 18.
The Wisconsin Age of Consent Law is Misleading
Contact Our Waukesha Criminal Defense Attorneys Help
The Wisconsin age of consent law can be misleading. If you or a family member has been charged with misdemeanor sexual assault of a minor or felony sexual assault, it is important to seek the help of a criminal defense lawyer who will vigorously defend you against these charges. We provide our clients with an aggressive defense against all types of sexual assault charges. Our Waukesha sexual assault defense attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience in defending serious charges. Contact the Waukesha criminal defense lawyers of Andrew C Ladd LLC for Immediate assistance at 262-542-3900.
