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750.158 Crime against nature or sodomy; penalty.
Michigan's courts and statutes refer to the criminal offense of sodomy as a 'crime against nature.' Essentially, sexual conduct is deemed by society as improper and/or offensive such as anal sex, or sexual conduct between a human and an animal is considered a crime against nature. Anal sex between two people of the same gender or between a man and a woman, or bestiality may lead to criminal charges that may result in severe criminal penalties for those convicted.
Punishment:
Individuals charged with sodomy or 'crime against nature' will face serious criminal penalties if found guilty. These penalties may include up to 15 years in prison. However, if an individual is considered sexually delinquent under Michigan Statute MCL 750.10(a), he or she may be sentenced to any length of time from one day to life in prison. Ultimately, an individual who is considered sexually delinquent is someone who has committed a sexual act against a man, woman, or child under 16 and who engages in an additional sexual offense (or offenses) deemed to be forceful or unlawful.
Other Consequences:
A crime against nature or sodomy is considered a sex crime in the state of Michigan. Many sex crimes require that the defendant register as a sex offender on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. The length of time an individual is required to register is determined by the seriousness of the crime committed.
Being placed on the public registry will lead to many negative consequences, which include disqualification for government programs, loss of employment opportunities, the inability to choose where you may attend school or live, and more.
Related Crimes:
Several crimes are related to Crime Against Nature or Sodomy. These include:
- Gross indecency between male and female persons
- Gross indecency between male persons.
- Gross indecency between female persons
- Lewd and lascivious cohabitation and gross lewdness.
Experience and Success:
Grabel & Associates has successfully defended individuals charged with a wide array of sex charges including Crime Against Nature or Sodomy and has proven successful in cases where defendants have already been convicted, frequently helping clients appeal so that a conviction is overturned, or having charges dismissed.
Defenses:
There are various defense tactics that may be effective in proving your innocence. Frequently, individuals are falsely accused of sex crimes. If convicted of crime against nature or sodomy, you may wish to appeal your conviction or sentence, or seek post-conviction relief.
THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 328 of 1931
750.158 Crime against nature or sodomy; penalty.
Sec. 158.
Any person who shall commit the abominable and detestable crime against nature either with mankind or with any animal shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.158 ;-- Am. 1952, Act 73, Eff. Sept. 18, 1952
Former Law: See section 16 of Ch. 158 of R.S. 1846, being CL 1857, § 5871; CL 1871, § 7706; How., § 9292; CL 1897, § 11705; CL 1915, § 15479; CL 1929, § 16831; and Act 57 of 1923.
