In addition to prison time, fines, probation and lifetime supervision, if you’re convicted of a sex crime you may also be required to register as a sex offender. The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the Department of Corrections and is easily accessible online at official State of Wisconsin Offender Web Site It consists of a list of people who have been convicted of certain sex crimes. It also includes identification information about each of the sex offenders such as height, weight, age, eye color and hair color. A photo and home address is also provided for each sex offender on the registry.
Who is Required to Register with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry?
Wisconsin law provides that people who are convicted of certain sex crimes must register with the Department of Corrections after they are released from custody or when they are placed on probation, parole or other supervised status. The following sex crimes require you to be listed on the Wisconsin sex offender registry: first-degree, second-degree and third-degree sexual assault; incest; sexual exploitation by a therapist; first-degree and second-degree sexual assault of a child; engaging in repeated acts of sexual assault on the same child; sexual exploitation of a child; forcing a child to listen to or view sexual activity; incest with a child; child enticement; soliciting a child for prostitution; sexual assault of a student by school staff; exposing a child to harmful material; possession of child pornography; abduction of a child; and false imprisonment or kidnapping of a child.
Additionally, Wisconsin law requires any person who is found to be sexually violent to register with the sex offender registry. The same is true for any person who is convicted of a crime that is sexually motivated.
How Long Must I Register as a Sex Offender? Is there a Penalty for Failing to Register?
Generally, Wisconsin law requires you to remain on the sex offender registry for at least 15 years after you are done with any sentence. However, in certain instances lifetime registration is required. If you intentionally fail to register as a sex offender, you can be faced with up to a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail for a first offense. For a second offense, you can be faced with up to a $10,000 fine and up to five years in prison. Further, this is an ANNUAL requirement, and so anyone who is required to register as a sex offender must re-register annually or face the same criminal charges. This registration requirement applies even if you were convicted in another state. That does not exempt you.