Michigan Man Charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree Avoids Jail Time

A man charged with second degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) in Ann Arbor successfully avoided jail time and conviction on the charge as filed. The accused was originally arraigned on the CSC 2^nd degree charge on July 29, 2020. The charge was a result of an investigation into a complaint from a 10-year-old girl who was under the care of the accused. The allegation was that the victim was touched in a sexual way by the accused while being cared for by the accused in the home of the accused.

What are the penalties for 2^nd degree Criminal Sexual Conduct in Michigan?

The potential consequences for second degree Criminal Sexual Conduct in Michigan are severe. CSC 2 is a felony that cannot be expunged. If convicted, you could be sent to state prison for up to 15 years. A conviction also requires that the defendant registers as a sex offender under Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA). If the victim was less than 13 years old and the defendant was at least 17 years old, as in the case above, then the convicted defendant will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device for a lifetime. The convicted defendant must also pay for the cost of that monitoring device.

What are the penalties for 2^nd degree Child Abuse in Michigan?

The case mentioned above was charged as Criminal Sexual Conduct 2^nd degree. Through plea negotiations, the accused plead to 2^nd degree child abuse. A second degree child abuse charge in Michigan is a felony. If convicted, a first offense carries up to 10 years in prison. If there was a previous conviction for 2^nd degree Child Abuse, a second conviction carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.

In the case of the Ann Arbor man who plead guilty to 2^nd degree Child Abuse, the judge in Washtenaw County sentenced him to zero days in jail, 5 years of probation, and court-ordered sex offender treatment. The court did not require him to register as a sex offender.

How long does a Michigan Criminal Sexual Conduct case last?

To answer this question, the case discussed above is a good example. The incident happened in March of 2020. The defendant wasn’t arraigned until July 2020. A plea was entered in December 2020. And, finally, sentencing took place in February 2021. The case took 7 months from start to finish. However, the investigation would’ve started before the arraignment. Investigations in CSC cases can take weeks or even months. It’s not uncommon for Criminal Sexual Conduct cases to take up to a year or more; especially if the case goes to trial.

This case exemplifies why having the best Michigan sex crimes attorney possible can make a huge difference in a criminal sexual conduct case. Even if prospects for a good result seem bleak at the beginning, a good attorney can uncover possible defenses that, when brought forth to the prosecutor, could lead to a reduced charge and minimized sentence.

The key for anyone charged with a sex crimes case in Michigan is to immediately hire an experienced sex crimes defense attorney who has the time, skills, and care to devote to making a difference in the case.