Top Ann Arbor CSC Defense Attorney

Criminal sexual conduct (CSC) is a severe offense that attracts harsh punishment in Michigan. If you are accused of sexual assault, your life can drastically change overnight. Your reputation may be permanently tarnished and you could face grave consequences, even if the accusations are untrue.

Thus, you should respond to claims of sexual abuse in a timely and efficient manner. A sex crime conviction may negatively affect your life and relationships permanently. Hiring an aggressive criminal defense attorney is the first step in responding to a criminal investigation or arrest for alleged criminal sexual conduct. Learn how to hire a criminal defense lawyer here.

You can consult any of the law offices around you. However, you must ensure that you hire a qualified sex crimes lawyer who will fight for you aggressively. Female criminal defense attorney Nicole Blank Becker of Blank Law, PC is a top Michigan CSC defense attorney with extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system. Nicole and her team of sexual assault lawyers have handled numerous criminal sexual conduct cases over the years. Blank Law, PC can be relied upon to construct powerful sexual assault defense strategies for those accused of sex crimes in Michigan.

Top Ann Arbor CSC Defense Attorney

Defense lawyer Nicole Blank Becker has successfully defended numerous people accused of criminal offenses throughout Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has succeeded in helping them avoid a criminal sexual conduct conviction or getting their penalties reduced should they be found guilty of a CSC offense. In addition, she has gone through the peer review rating process and is recognized as a top Michigan criminal sexual conduct attorney.

Nicole Blank Becker’s previous work as a prosecuting attorney, being the Chief of the Sex Crime and Child Abuse units at Macomb County, gives her a distinct edge over other sex crime lawyers in Michigan.

Nicole and her team at Blank Law, PC has successfully handled criminal defense cases involving, but not limited to, date rape, statutory rape, child molestation, sexual assault, indecent exposure, and internet sex crimes.

Defense lawyer Nicole Blank Becker preserves the confidentiality of the attorney-client relationship. Thus, you may trust her with the details of your case, including confidential or sensitive information. She can also help you navigate the Michigan criminal justice system and determine the best criminal sexual conduct defense available. You can absolutely trust her to act in your best interest.

At Blank Law, PC, we will assist you in creating an aggressive criminal defense strategy so you can fight criminal sexual conduct charges in Ann Arbor. Reach out to us for a free consultation if you or your loved one has been accused of any sex offense.

What is Criminal Sexual Conduct?

So, what is criminal sexual conduct? It is an encompassing term used to describe all sexual offenses in Michigan. It includes, among other things, rape, child molestation, internet sex crimes, lewd behavior, sexual abuse, indecent exposure, and child pornography.

These offenses are grouped into one of four CSC degrees, depending on the crime’s severity and the alleged victim’s age. The criminal sexual conduct 1st-degree and criminal sexual conduct 3rd-degree charges are typically used to describe crimes involving sexual penetration. On the other hand, offenses involving unwanted sexual activity or offensive touching are classified as criminal sexual conduct 2nd-degree or criminal sexual conduct 4th-degree crimes.

Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree

The most severe sexual offenses involving sexual penetration, including oral, anal, and vaginal penetration, are referred to as CSC 1st degree. This CSC degree may also involve aggravating elements, such as a victim who is a person under 13 or who is mentally or physically helpless. Statutory rape and child molestation are examples of crimes within the 1st-degree CSC realm. The maximum sentence for 1st-degree CSC is life imprisonment.

Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree

CSC 2nd degree refers to serious sexual offenses that involve unwanted sexual contact. If you touch another individual for sexual arousal or gratification without that person’s consent, you could be charged with 2nd-degree CSC. Sexual battery is an example of 2nd-degree CSC. 2nd degree CSC attracts a maximum punishment of a 15-year sentence per the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines.

Criminal Sexual Conduct 3rd Degree

Other crimes involving sexual intercourse or sexual penetration that are not classified as 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct are considered CSC 3rd-degree. However, unlike first-degree CSC, 3rd degree CSC often covers situations where the victim is a person 13 through 15. In Michigan, judges may impose a mandatory minimum sentence on defendants found guilty of third-degree CSC.

Criminal Sexual Conduct 4th Degree

Minor sex offenses in Michigan are covered by CSC 4th degree. This group of offenses includes touching another individual for sexual purposes. For instance, a 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct charge will be brought against anyone who touches another person’s anus, penis, vagina, or breasts without that person’s consent. Whether the alleged victim has a clothing covering or not is irrelevant. A two-year prison sentence is the maximum penalty for an offense of 4th-degree sexual assault.

In Michigan, those found guilty of any CSC degree face harsh consequences, such as heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences that can last anywhere from a few years to a maximum life sentence. Anyone found guilty of a sex offense in Michigan must comply with sex offender registration on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry. In situations where the alleged victim is a child, the offender may also need to register on the child abuse registry.

Hiring a criminal defense lawyer would be best to avoid being charged with a sexual offense. While you can walk into the law offices around you to consult with several sexual abuse lawyers, you must ensure you hire a seasoned defense attorney with a proven record of success. Learn what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer here.

Nicole Blank Becker is a renowned criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has several years of experience defending people accused of CSC offenses throughout the state. Fill out this online form to schedule a free consultation with this top Michigan defense lawyer.

When Should You Reach Out to a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

You need to contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately if you are being investigated by the police for a sex offense in Ann Arbor or any other city in Michigan. You should not wait to get a defense lawyer until you have been detained or charged with sexual assault. Criminal defendants who consult with renowned law offices promptly have a higher chance of creating an effective defense plan.

You must consult a criminal defense attorney before speaking with a law enforcement officer about your case. It would help if you were careful about how you interact with others in connection with the case since anything you say could be used against you as evidence. You will not be penalized for declining to speak with the police during an investigation until you have spoken with your defense attorney.

What Viable Defenses Are There for Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges?

You can beat criminal charges with the right sex offender lawyers and an aggressive defense. There are several legal defenses you could use to help you fight CSC charges in Michigan. Therefore, you need to speak with the criminal defense attorneys at the law offices Blank Law, PC to determine the best course of action.

Some of the most common defenses in CSC cases include:

● Consent

● Alibi

● Insufficient evidence

● DNA evidence

● Mistaken identity

Our legal team at Blank Law, PC is ready to help you determine the best legal defense to fight your CSC charges in Ann Arbor. Reach out to us for a Michigan criminal defense attorney free consultation today.

Do Statutes of Limitation Apply to Sex Offenses?

A criminal case may become unactionable after a specific time, depending on the charge. Therefore, if a prosecuting attorney files a criminal lawsuit against you after the specified time has elapsed, it is invalid and you can no longer be accused of committing that offense.

The specified time the prosecution may file an action in court against an accused person is known as a statute of limitations. This time starts to count from the day the alleged criminal offense was committed. Once that time has expired, they can no longer file a valid criminal lawsuit against you. However, you will be prosecuted if the time has not elapsed.

Some sex offenses, like 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, are subject to a statute of limitations under Michigan criminal law. CSC charges must be brought against the accused person before the victim turns 21 or within 10 years of the alleged offense, whichever comes first. However, the statute of limitations does not apply to first degree criminal sexual conduct offenses or rape involving violence or minor victims.

Increase Your Chances of Beating Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges by Hiring a Top Criminal Defense Attorney

Nicole Blank Becker is a top Michigan criminal sexual conduct attorney who fights for those accused of sexual assault in Michigan.

Nicole and her army at Blank Law, PC can help you develop a solid defense plan to get the prosecution to drop all the CSC charges against you. She can also help you negotiate a plea deal to reduce your sentence if you have been found guilty of a CSC offense in Ann Arbor.

Contact us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, by calling (248) 515-6583.