Sex Crimes and Criminal Sexual Conduct

If you have been arrested or charged with a sex crime in Michigan, you should take action to protect your rights without delay. I am Jonathan Jones, a Detroit sex crime lawyer with over 30 years of experience building strategies for defendants facing all types of criminal charges. I understand how stressful dealing with this situation may be, and I keep an open line of communication with each of my clients. When you call my office, you will speak directly to a criminal defense attorney rather than to a call center. I will take the time to investigate the situation that gave rise to the charge, gather evidence on your behalf, and explain your options so that you can make an informed decision about your next steps.

Generally, a sex crime involves illegal, forced, or unwanted sexual activity involving another person. Some common examples of sex crimes in Michigan include:

• Rape
• Statutory rape
• Internet sex crimes
• Indecent exposure
• Child molestation and sexual abuse
• Sexual assault
• Stalking
• Child pornography
• Prostitution and solicitation

Under Michigan law, there are four degrees of criminal sexual conduct (CSC). First-degree CSC is the most serious. It is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. Second-degree CSC is still very serious, and it is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, followed by lifetime electronic monitoring. Third-degree CSC is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Fourth-degree CSC is not a felony but instead is a high-court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a $500 fine. Thus, the stakes are high for anyone accused of a sex crime.

If you are convicted of a sex crime, regardless of its severity, you will be required to register as a sex offender in both the state and the federal sex offender registries. Failing to register as a sex offender is a separate felony for which you may face serious legal consequences. In addition to the embarrassment of registering as a sex offender, people who are convicted of sex crimes also may find that they are restricted in where they can live or work, which may have a long-term impact on their future and the future of their loved ones.

However, it is important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty and that consulting a sex crime attorney in Detroit or the surrounding areas may make a critical difference in the outcome of your case. Regardless of the specific charge, the government bears the burden of proof and is required to show that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This means establishing each element of the alleged offense by that high standard.

In addition to presenting evidence in your favor, your attorney may be able to attack elements of the prosecution’s case to create a reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. Often, holes may arise in the testimony of the prosecution’s witnesses, or some of its evidence may have been improperly obtained and thus subject to being excluded from consideration. Even if a charge is not dropped completely, the prosecution may be forced to reduce it to a much lesser level of offense, which may have a significant impact on the potential penalties.

If you have been charged with a sex crime, our team is ready to serve you with compassion and tenacity. My practice is exclusively dedicated to criminal defense, and I understand the nuances of this area of law. As an experienced Detroit sex crime attorney, I can provide legal representation that is personal and tailored to your particular situation. I represent people throughout Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties. To discuss your case in more detail, contact us online or call or text (248) 310-3399 for a free consultation. I also represent people who need a domestic violence lawyer or assistance in fighting charges of assault, drug crimes, weapons offenses, and other crimes.