Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: Prosecutors use new grooming law in Madison, Rock County cases – Legal Perspective
MADISON, Wis. (Gray) – A Madison teacher and a Rock County man are facing charges under Wisconsin’s new child grooming law, weeks after Gov. Tony Evers signed Act 88 into law making grooming a felony offense in the state.
The Madison teacher was charged with grooming a 15-year-old student after more than 130,000 messages were exchanged between the two. In Rock County, a man was charged with grooming a child with a disability.
State Rep. Amanda Nedweski, the bill’s author, said she is not surprised to see grooming cases emerge so quickly.
“The real intent is to be able to catch someone before an assault,” Nedweski said. “Unfortunately, I think we’re going to see a lot more.”
The law provides clear examples of patterned behaviors — like gift giving or social media messages — that, when paired with the intent of sexual contact with a child, constitute grooming.
John Gross, a criminal law professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the legislation fills a gap in Wisconsin’s legal system to protect children.
“I would say that this law is quite comprehensive and I would almost say groundbreaking,” Gross said. “So I think the key for any prosecutor is to look at the behavior, this course of conduct and say…”’did the person have the intent to eventually attempt to engage in some type of sexual contact with the child?’”
The penalty for grooming a child is up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
The penalties are steeper if the person charged is in a position of authority — like a teacher or clergy member. Jail time and fines can also increase if the person targets a child with disabilities or grooms multiple children.
“I’ve been told by some prosecutors that this will become the gold standard,” Nedweski said. “I’m hoping that that’s true.”
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