Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

Sex Offender Restrictions on Contact with Children

Your husband needs an experienced criminal lawyer as soon as possible to answer these questions for him. I cannot advise you or him in this online forum. However, as a general matter, anyone accused of sexual crimes with children (and, yes, that includes 17 year olds) would likely be restricted from contact with children until the case is resolved. If convicted, they will generally be required to register as a sex offender, which label will haunt them for the rest of their lives via lifetime supervision, forced treatment in a secure setting, and public shaming on web sites and in the news media. A good lawyer may be able to avoid such a conviction and sex offender registration if the person has no other history of sexual deviancy and only a minor record. Of course, if the person is acquitted, there will be no consequences whatsoever once the verdict of "not guilty" is delivered by the jury, unless they are on probation. If on probation, it is even possible to face revocation for other rules violations which may have occurred during the conduct leading to the charges. Sentences for persons committing crimes while on probation are also generally far harsher than for first offenders. You may want to seek legal representation for yourself as well, to advise you how to best protect yourself from your husband's problems.