Sexual Assault Charges in Wisconsin
Sexual assault charges in Wisconsin encompass a range of felony offenses defined by different legal standards, age-based classifications, and alleged circumstances. These cases are prosecuted aggressively and often involve complex factual disputes, credibility assessments, and long-term consequences.
Overview of Sexual Assault Charges in Wisconsin
Sexual assault in Wisconsin is not a single offense, but a category of felony sex crime charges defined by different legal standards, age-based classifications, and alleged circumstances. Charges vary depending on factors such as the age of the alleged victim, the nature of the alleged contact, and whether the State claims the conduct involved force, coercion, or lack of consent.
Wisconsin law distinguishes between sexual assault involving adults and sexual assault of a child, with separate charging frameworks and legal considerations for each. These cases often turn on disputed facts, credibility assessments, and how the State characterizes the alleged conduct under the applicable statute. As a result, classification decisions made early in a case can significantly affect both exposure and litigation strategy.
Understanding how a sexual assault allegation is charged – and which degree or category the State is pursuing – is central to evaluating the seriousness of the case and determining the appropriate next steps.
Sexual Assault of an Adult
Sexual Assault of a Child
Each of these charges involves distinct legal elements, evidentiary issues, and long-term consequences. More detailed information about the specific allegations, elements, and defenses associated with each offense is available on the individual pages linked above.

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What the State Must Prove in Wisconsin Sexual Assault Cases
All sexual assault prosecutions in Wisconsin require the State to prove specific legal elements beyond a reasonable doubt. While the precise requirements depend on the degree and classification charged, every case centers on whether the alleged conduct meets the statutory definition of sexual assault under Wisconsin law.
All sexual assault prosecutions in Wisconsin require the State to prove specific legal elements beyond a reasonable doubt. While the precise requirements depend on the degree and classification charged, every case centers on whether the alleged conduct meets the statutory definition of sexual assault under Wisconsin law.
Because these elements determine both how a case is charged and the potential consequences, the State’s ability to meet its burden of proof is often the central issue in how sexual assault cases are litigated.
Why Hiring a Wisconsin Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer Matters
Sexual assault charges carry some of the most severe legal and personal consequences under Wisconsin law. These cases often involve intense scrutiny, parallel investigations, and allegations that can affect a person’s reputation, employment, and future long before a case is resolved in court. Effective representation requires careful handling of both the legal issues and the procedural posture of the case from the outset.
Sexual assault prosecutions frequently turn on credibility assessments, forensic evidence, and contested interpretations of consent or conduct. The attorneys at Chirafisi Anderson, S.C. understand how these cases are investigated and prosecuted in Wisconsin courts and focus on holding the State to its burden at every stage of the process.
Sexual Assault Case Results
View Criminal Case Results from the Attorneys at Chirafisi Anderson, S.C.
Speak With a Wisconsin Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
If you are under investigation or have been charged with sexual assault in Wisconsin, it is critical to understand the specific allegations being made and how the State intends to prosecute the case. Sexual assault cases move quickly, often involve parallel investigations, and carry consequences that can permanently affect your freedom, reputation, and future.
The attorneys at Chirafisi Anderson, S.C. provide confidential consultations for individuals facing sexual assault charges throughout Wisconsin. We are prepared to review the facts, explain the potential exposure, and guide you through the next steps with clarity and discretion.