Sex Crimes In Michigan
What are Sex Crimes?
Crimes that have a sexual component will fall under the sex crimes category. Sex crimes in Michigan are considered serious offenses and hiring a Michigan sex crime attorney even before you are charged would be in your best interest. The number of men in Michigan prisons because of false accusations is staggering. It is critical to obtain as expert defense team to protect your rights.
Sex crimes can involve actual or threatened harm or mental or emotional harm and many require registry on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry (SORA). Sex laws are complicated and are subject to interpretation by the prosecutors and courts. The following is a list of some of the most commonly charged sex crimes.
1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-First)
This is the most serious of all sex offenses. It involves sexual penetration of the alleged victim and either the victim was under the age of 13, the defendant was armed, force or coercion was used, or the defendant was in a position of authority over the victim.
Criminal Penalties:
- This is a Felony
- Punishable by up to life in prison or any term of years
- Mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years if the victim is under the age of 13
- Must register as a sex offender for life
2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-2nd)
CSC-2nd offense is still taken very seriously and punishments can be harsh. Here, there is no penetration involved, but rather unwanted sexual contact with the victim. The touching involves the genital area or "private parts" which includes the thigh area and the victim is under the age of 13, a family member, or someone who was under the authority of the defendant.
Criminal Penalties:
- This is a Felony
- Punishable by up to 15 years in prison
- Must register as a sex offender for 25 years
3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-3rd)
Being charged with CSC-3rd means that sexual penetration of the victim occurred, however, the victim is either under the age of consent which is 16 in Michigan, is mentally incapacitated or the defendant used force. Usually this comes up a lot as "Statutory Rape" where the sex was consensual, but the people involved were teenagers and one of them was below the age of consent.
Criminal Penalties:
- This is a Felony
- Punishable by up to 15 years in prison
- Must register as a sex offender for life
4th Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-4th)
CSC-4th is the least serious of all sex crimes and refers to any sexual touching done for the purposes of sexual gratification. This crime is considered a high-court misdemeanor which means it is treated as a felony for sentencing purposes.
Criminal Penalties:
- This is a Misdemeanor
- Punishable by up to 2 years in prison
- Fines and Court Costs will be assessed
- Must register as a sex offender but it is non-public
Misdemeanor Sex Crimes
There are many sex crimes that fall under the traditional misdemeanor category, including:
Soliciting a Prostitute
Indecent Exposure
Lewd Conduct
Gross Indecent Exposure
Being charged with a sex crime is a serious charge and even more serious if you are being falsely accused. We provide expert legal service to our clients and have handled hundreds of sex crime cases. Our clients get the results they deserve.
