On Monday, a man was arrested in the alleged sexual assault of an Eastern Michigan University student. The student reported that she woke up to find the man on top of her with a knife. He allegedly raped her and then fled. He is now being charged with first-degree criminal sexual assault.
In Michigan, criminal sexual assault or conduct (CSC) is divided into four categories. First-degree criminal sexual conduct is commonly referred to as rape by lay people, and third degree is statutory rape. Second and fourth degree criminal sexual conduct offenses include sexual touching without penetration. All criminal sexual conduct offenses are considered felonies. If convicted, you could face serious consequence including prison sentences and having to place your name on the sex crimes registry.
Because of the way sex crimes laws are written, many people are falsely accused of and wrongfully charged with committing sex crimes when little or no evidence exists. Further, those accused of a sex crime often make a serious mistake at the beginning of a case by speaking to law enforcement officers without an attorney present when they think a matter isn’t serious or lacks credibility.
Every allegation of sexual misconduct is serious and requires a vigorous defense. If you or a loved one has been accused of a criminal sexual misconduct, please contact Grabel & Associates, a Michigan law firm dedicated to the defense of sex crimes.