Criminal Sexual Conduct Defense in Lansing, MI

Criminal Sexual Conduct Defense in Lansing, MI

Helping Clients Navigate the Criminal Justice System

A criminal sexual conduct charge can threaten your entire future. After all, a criminal conviction for a sex offense can lead to life imprisonment and require sex offender registration. If you’re worried about the sex crime allegations against you, it’s time to get legal advice from a Lansing criminal defense attorney who will work hard to achieve the best possible results.

When you seek legal representation from Manley & Manley, you’ll have a team of experienced criminal defense attorneys by your side throughout your criminal case. We have years of experience helping clients understand the criminal charges against them, answering their questions thoroughly, and devising the right case strategy for their needs. Contact our Lansing, MI, law office today to discuss your criminal sexual conduct charge with a caring criminal defense attorney.

What Sex Crime Charges Do We Handle for Clients?

Our Lansing legal team has handled countless criminal sexual conduct cases for clients across Ingham County. Some of the specific charges we’ve protected clients against include:

  • Sexual assault 
  • Unwanted sexual conduct
  • Unwanted sexual penetration
  • Aggravated criminal sexual abuse
  • Statutory rape
  • Date rape
  • Internet sex crimes
  • Indecent exposure

No matter what criminal sexual conduct offense you’ve been accused of, you can rely on our criminal defense team to develop a personalized defense strategy for your case. Contact our Lansing, MI, law firm today to discuss your legal rights with an experienced criminal sexual conduct defense attorney.

How Does Michigan Treat Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges?

Michigan criminal law divides most sex offenses into four degrees based on the type of sex crime, the age of the alleged victim, and any aggravating factors. It’s important to know which degree of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) you’ve been charged with before starting your case, since this will determine the punishment you face for your CSC charges.

The four degrees of criminal sexual conduct in Michigan include:

  • First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct: This usually involves unwanted sexual penetration with aggravating factors. These factors can include the use of force or coercion, personal injury to the victim, the victim’s age being under 13, or your position of authority over them
  • Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct: This category describes sexual contact with a victim under 13, or with a victim between 13 and 15 who you’re related to or have a position of authority over. You can also face this charge if you injured the alleged victim during the sex offense
  • Third Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct: You may be charged with criminal sexual conduct in this category if you’re accused of forcible sexual penetration or rape. If the victim was between 13 and 15, you could be charged with statutory rape even if you didn’t use force
  • Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct: Sexual offenses of this degree are often misdemeanors, involving unwanted sexual contact rather than penetration. You could be charged with criminal sexual conduct of this degree if the victim was between 13 and 15 and you’re at least five years older than them, you used force or coercion, or you’re in a position of power over them

If you’re facing criminal charges for alleged criminal sexual conduct, you can depend on our Ingham County law firm to defend you in court. We’ve helped clients fight a variety of serious charges, including sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact, unwanted sexual intercourse, and more. Call today for a confidential consultation with a Lansing, MI, criminal sexual conduct defense attorney.

What Are the Potential Penalties for a Criminal Sexual Conduct Conviction in Michigan?

Depending on the charge you’re convicted of, you could face jail time, several years in prison, or even life imprisonment. This is why you should seek criminal defense help from an attorney with years of experience arguing misdemeanor and felony cases for clients in Ingham County.

The penalties for the four degrees of criminal sexual conduct in Michigan include:

  • First degree: Life imprisonment is the maximum penalty, with the mandatory minimum penalty often being 25 years in prison, depending on the circumstances
  • Second degree: This type of felony charge can result in up to 15 years of prison time
  • Third degree: This is another category of sex offenses that can lead to up to 15 years of prison, depending on the details of the sex crime
  • Fourth degree: This type of sex crime is usually charged as a misdemeanor that results in up to 2 years in jail and $500 in fines

All four different degrees of sex crimes usually require mandatory sex offender registration, as well as costly fines, electronic monitoring, and potentially other penalties. If your criminal case involves a felony, you could also lose certain rights and experience difficulty finding housing or employment when you get out of prison. If you’re concerned about spending years in prison, registering for the Michigan sex offender registry, paying expensive fines, and more, call our firm for help from a caring defense attorney.

What Can Lansing Criminal Sexual Conduct Lawyers Do for You?

At Manley & Manley, we understand how devastating it is to be accused of committing criminal sexual conduct (CSC), since the most serious allegations can lead to long prison sentences, electronic monitoring, and mandatory sex offender registration. Such penalties can change your life for the worse, so we’re committed to helping you avoid or reduce the severe penalties of criminal offenses in Lansing, Michigan.

When you hire an attorney from our trusted criminal defense law firm, we’ll begin an investigation into your alleged illegal sexual act to determine how to defend you. Whether we find that the police lacked probable cause to arrest you or the alleged victim made false allegations, we’ll gather the supporting documentation necessary to show that you’re not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To learn how we can defend you from criminal sexual conduct in Lansing, MI, call 810-374-0240 today.