A sex crime accusation is not something to take lightly. While penalties for sex crime convictions in Michigan can vary depending on the degree and the severity of the case, all penalties are serious and many convictions lead to mandatory sex offender registration.
At Shannon Smith Law, we have represented juveniles, professionals, and even educators who have been accused of criminal sexual conduct. The accusation by itself can be detrimental to relationships and even careers.
But you don’t have to go through your defense process alone. Experienced criminal sexual conduct defense attorneys in Michigan know the laws and how to defend you against these types of charges. Our legal team at Shannon Smith Law has over 26 years of combined experience successfully defending clients charged with serious sexual conduct offenses.
Criminal sexual conduct is any type of unwanted or forced sexual crime. The laws regarding criminal sexual conduct are gender neutral and include multiple types of sexual contact up to and including penetration. All of these types of charges contain a level of assaultive conduct, so they typically deal with levels of force or intimidation. (Sexual indecency, for example, would not be considered criminal sexual conduct as it lacks this type of assaultive nature.)
Those who are accused of sexual criminal conduct in the first degree are accused of engaging in sexual penetration with a person under the age 13. The penalty, if found guilty, is life in prison.
People accused of second degree criminal sexual conduct are accused of engaging in non-penetrative sexual contact with someone under the age of 13 OR between the ages of 13 and 16 under certain circumstances. The penalties if found guilty of second degree criminal sexual conduct is up to 15 years in prison as well as lifetime monitoring afterwards.
Criminal sexual conduct in the third degree involves forced penetration with another person. The penalty if found guilty of third degree criminal sexual conduct is up to 15 years in jail.
And the fourth degree of criminal sexual penetration is when someone is accused of engaging in non-penetrative sexual contact with another person. The penalties if found guilty of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct are up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $500.
Real criminal sexual conduct cases. Real results.
Our client was charged with 1st degree criminal sexual conduct and facing a minimum of 25 years in prison for touching his friend’s daughter during the middle of the night. After the preliminary examination, the charges were significantly reduced to 2nd degree CSC. Ultimately, on the day of trial, the case was completely dismissed by the prosecution.
Juvenile client was accused of sexually assaulting three different people at various parties while drinking alcohol. We were able to gather evidence from the school and other sources to show a plot to accuse our client from a group of “friends” looking to get him in trouble. Once revealed, all charges were dropped.
Client was formally charged with 3rd and 4th degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly sexually assaulting his daughter’s 14-year-old best friend . After a week long jury trial in Eaton County, our client was found NOT GUILTY on all counts and the case was dismissed.