Third Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct
CSC Third Degree in Michigan Involves Penetration
We represent people accused of criminal sexual conduct crimes in the third degree throughout Michigan, including Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Warren and Ann Arbor.
There are four Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) crimes under Michigan law (CSC in Michigan and the 4 degrees). CSC third degree—along with CSC first degree—deals specifically with allegations of sexual penetration. Sexual penetration is different than sexual contact, because it actually involves the insertion of a body part or item into the body cavity of another person, rather than just touching of the private parts.
Of course, not all sexual penetration is illegal. To rise to the level of a third degree criminal sexual conduct charge, the penetration must be accompanied by certain aggravating factors. Common examples of aggravating factors are when the age of the alleged victim is 13 to 16, the presence of force or coercion, or when a person is accused of knowing that the alleged victim is physically or mentally incapacitated. So, the date rape and statutory rape scenarios are most likely charged as CSC 3rd degree.
Third Degree CSC Penalties
CSC third degree is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Additionally, those convicted of criminal sexual conduct third degree will end up on Tier 3 of the Michigan Sex Offender Registry. Tier 3 requires lifetime registration, unless the offender qualifies to get off the registry early. There are circumstances where a sentence can be enhanced beyond the normal 15 year statutory maximum. 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct is covered under Michigan’s penal code 750.520d, which you can read here (Michigan’s penal code for CSC 3).
The Lawyer’s Job in Third Degree CSC Cases
There are many things that a competent criminal sexual conduct defense attorney in Michigan will do based upon the needs of the client and the case. As attorneys who regularly deal with false allegations, we know to keep an open mind and listen carefully to our client’s version of events. Especially when dealing with child witnesses, it is often the case that our clients have no clue why a particular child would lie about them. This is where our knowledge and skill comes in.
We know from years of litigating false allegation cases that there are many reasons why both children and adults lie. Sometimes it is deliberate. Sometimes they are influenced by others. Sometimes they cannot bring themselves to talk about the real perpetrator and transpose the story onto a different person. Sometimes they have a clear motive to lie, like the desire to obtain custody or anger directed at the accused. Each case and each scenario calls upon the attorney to chart a path that will help the jury reach the right conclusion. The Kronzek Firm attorneys have logged hundreds of hours of specialized training designed to equip them to deal with false allegations, lying witnesses, police abuses, false confessions and child witnesses. We have successfully defended criminal sexual conduct cases throughout Michigan.
We offer a free consultation for those considering hiring our team. Call us today at 1-866-766-5245 or use our contact form to get started today.
We defend cases throughout Michigan, including case in places like Montmorency, Kent, Clare, Antrim, Mason, Van Buren and Wayne. For more specific information on our areas of practice, consult our services by county page.