SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – When Wisconsin children get caught sexting, some say the punishment doesn’t always fit the crime.
Shawano County is set to vote on an ordinance that could provide another option.
The proposed ordinance is geared toward juveniles who send or receive inappropriate images.
“I’ve had a number of cases already this year and it doesn’t seem to be that it’s going away at all,” said Detective Sgt. Gordon Kowaleski of the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department. “I’m just looking for another way to fight it.”
Wisconsin doesn’t have specific teen sexting laws, so it can only be treated as child pornography.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department is working with the county board on an ordinance to punish juveniles who are caught sending or receiving inappropriate pictures. Right now, there are only two options.
“If you get caught, it’s either three years in prison or nothing,” said Peter Schmidt, a Shawano County board member. “There is not that happy medium.”
The ordinance proposal would punish first-time offenders with a fine of up to $500, plus court costs. A second offense within a year would carry the potential of a $750 fine plus court costs. A third offense within a year would carry a fine as high as $1,000.
Schmidt tells FOX 11…
“Our intent to make this is is this person going to be remorseful and not repeat or do we need to have some sort of fine to discourage that and reinforce discipline.”
Kowaleski tells FOX 11 the ordinance is not intended to scare people.
“It doesn’t mean it’s something we’re always going to use. It doesn’t mean every time we get a case like that we’re automatically going to issue citations. Much like any other ordinance violation or crime, it gives us another option we can look at.”
The county board is scheduled to vote on the ordinance at its meeting on June 26th.
