Sex Crimes Defense

Sex crime allegations are among the most serious and life-altering charges a person can face. The consequences of a conviction extend far beyond the criminal sentence, sex offender registration, lifetime internet presence, restrictions on housing and employment, and the social stigma that follows a conviction permanently. These cases are also among the most aggressively prosecuted, and the investigation often begins before an arrest, giving the state a significant head start. If you are under investigation, have been contacted by police, or have been charged with a sex offense, do not speak with investigators without counsel. Retaining an experienced attorney immediately is the single most important step you can take.

Michigan Sex Crime Charges We Handle

• First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-1): MCL 750.520b; sexual penetration with aggravating circumstances; up to life in prison
• Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-2): MCL 750.520c; sexual contact with aggravating circumstances; up to 15 years
• Third Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-3): MCL 750.520d; sexual penetration under specific circumstances; up to 15 years
• Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-4): MCL 750.520e; sexual contact; up to 2 years
• Statutory Rape / Age of Consent Violations: sexual penetration with a person under 16; strict liability in many circumstances
• Child Sexually Abusive Material (CSAM): MCL 750.145c; possession, distribution, or production; felony up to 20 years
• Accosting a Minor for Immoral Purposes: MCL 750.145a; misdemeanor to felony
• Internet Solicitation / Online Sting Operations: using electronic communications to solicit a minor; MCL 750.145d; felony
• Indecent Exposure / Public Indecency: MCL 750.335a; misdemeanor; aggravated form is a felony with SORA implications
• Sex Offender Registry Violations: failure to register or update registration under SORA; MCL 28.729; felony

How Michigan CSC Law Works

Michigan’s Criminal Sexual Conduct statutes (MCL 750.520a through 750.520n) cover the full range of sexual offenses and organize them into four degrees based on the nature of the conduct (penetration vs. contact) and the presence of aggravating factors. Aggravating circumstances include the victim’s age, a relationship of authority or trust, use of force or coercion, and the infliction of physical injury.

For CSC-1 and CSC-3 convictions, Michigan imposes a mandatory minimum sentence. Certain CSC-1 convictions carry a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison with lifetime electronic monitoring upon release. These are among the harshest sentences in Michigan criminal law, which is why the stakes of mounting the strongest possible defense are so high.

Michigan’s Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA)

A conviction for most sex offenses in Michigan requires registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). Registration requirements include: registering with local law enforcement; providing home, work, and school addresses; restrictions on living or working near schools; internet identifier reporting; and periodic in-person verification. Tier III offenders (the most serious) must register for life. The consequences of SORA registration affect where you can live, where you can work, and how your name and address appear on a public database. Avoiding or limiting SORA registration is a meaningful goal in every sex crime defense.

Defense Strategies

Consent: Many CSC cases involve disputed accounts of consent between adults. Credibility, prior communications, the nature of the relationship, and the specific conduct alleged are all relevant. Text messages, social media activity, and witness testimony can be critical to presenting the full picture.

False allegations: Sex crime allegations sometimes arise in the context of custody disputes, relationship breakdowns, financial disputes, or prior grievances. Investigating the alleged victim’s motive, prior statements, and prior conduct is an essential part of defense preparation.

Challenging forensic evidence: DNA evidence, medical examinations, and forensic interview recordings must all be scrutinized carefully. Forensic evidence in sex cases can be misinterpreted or mishandled, and the conclusions drawn by prosecution experts are not always as certain as they are presented.

Internet solicitation / sting defenses: Law enforcement sting operations targeting online solicitation are heavily used in Michigan. Entrapment, predisposition, and the factual accuracy of what was actually communicated are all live issues in these cases.

Statute of limitations: Michigan’s CSC statutes have extended and sometimes eliminated statutes of limitations, but for certain older charges the limitations period may still apply. This requires careful legal analysis in cases involving alleged conduct from years ago.

How Chris Approaches Sex Crime Cases

Sex crime cases require thorough, methodical, and discreet investigation. Chris reviews all investigation materials, including forensic interview recordings, medical records, electronic evidence, and law enforcement reports, before forming a defense strategy. He works with qualified forensic experts where needed and challenges the prosecution’s evidence and narrative at every stage. He understands the gravity of these charges and the importance of a vigorous defense that protects both the accused’s constitutional rights and their dignity throughout the process.