Could my son be labeled a sex offender for his relationship?

Full question:

What is my son facing, he is 19 years old, former girlfriend which just turned 17 had a child 2 months ago. He has 2 court dates coming up, one is because she is a minor, the 2nd for child support. Could he be labeled as a sex offender? What would happen if they did get married?

  • Category: Criminal
  • Date:
  • State: Wisconsin

Answer:

According to Wisconsin law, marital status is relevant only at the time of the offense. Under Wis. Stat. § 948.09, having sexual intercourse with a child who is 16 or older is a Class A misdemeanor if the child is not the defendant's spouse. Since your son is 19 and the former girlfriend is 17, this situation may lead to legal consequences, especially since she is a minor.

If they were to get married, it could potentially affect the legal implications of their relationship, but it wouldn't retroactively change the nature of any past offenses. Legal advice from a qualified attorney is recommended for specific guidance.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

In Wisconsin, engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor who is 16 or older can lead to serious legal consequences. If the minor is not the defendant's spouse, it is classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Wis. Stat. § 948.09. This means that even if the minor is close in age, the law still treats the situation seriously due to the age difference. Legal advice from a qualified attorney is essential for understanding the specific implications of such relationships.