Facing a criminal sexual conduct (CSC) accusation in Lansing feels overwhelming, can be isolating, and jeopardizes everything about your future. A CSC arrest can trigger aggressive investigation tactics, restrictive bond conditions, no-contact orders, and immediate damage to your reputation. Working with the best and highly experienced Lansing criminal sexual conduct defense lawyer can make a crucial difference during this time, protecting your rights and guiding you through every stage of the case. A conviction may carry a lengthy prison sentence, lifetime electronic monitoring, mandatory sex-offender registration, and collateral consequences that affect employment, housing, travel, and professional licensing.
At Grabel & Associates, we defend clients across Michigan who are charged with all four degrees of CSC, related computer and child exploitation offenses, and various other sex offenses arising out of dating relationships, schools, workplaces, and family settings. As part of our Lansing criminal defense practice, we focus on strategic intervention, evidence preservation, and meticulous planning to win in court or resolve the case on terms that protect the most critical parts of your life, from the very first phone call to our office.
Understanding Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) Charges in MichiganMichigan law divides criminal sexual conduct into four degrees that depend on whether sexual contact or sexual penetration occurred, the ages of the individuals involved, and aggravating factors, such as force, coercion, injury, weapon use, or a position of authority.
The core statutes include MCL 750.520b, MCL 750.520c, MCL 750.520d, and MCL 750.520e for CSC offenses, along with related provisions such as MCL 750.520g and the Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA), MCL 28.721 et seq.
A charge is not proof of guilt. The nuances in these cases and the relevant law are significant, and many cases turn on credibility, forensics, digital records, motive to fabricate, and constitutional violations during the investigation. Consulting an experienced Lansing criminal sexual conduct defense lawyer can help you understand these complexities and develop a strong defense strategy tailored to your situation.
What Is First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-I) in Michigan?CSC-I involves sexual penetration combined with aggravating circumstances like the victim being younger than 13 years old, the use of force or coercion causing personal injury, the presence of a weapon, or the defendant being in a position of authority over a victim between the ages of 13 and 16. Penalties can include any term of years up to life in prison.
In some instances involving young, alleged victims, there is a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence if the accused is 17 years old or older and the alleged victim is under the age of 13. Lifetime electronic monitoring may also apply. Prosecutors frequently stack counts and seek consecutive sentences, which makes early defense work on charging decisions and probable cause hearings critical. A knowledgeable criminal sexual conduct defense lawyer in Lansing can intervene early in the process to challenge the evidence, protect your rights, and work to reduce or dismiss the charges before trial.
What Is Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-II) in Michigan?CSC-II involves sexual contact (rather than penetration) with similar aggravating factors to CSC-I, including minor victims, force or coercion, and positions of authority. CSC-II is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and may carry a lifetime of electronic monitoring when the circumstances involve young children. Many CSC-II cases arise in school, sports, daycare, and caregiving contexts where the definition of sexual contact, the credibility of witnesses, and the question of intent must be carefully examined. An experienced Lansing criminal sexual conduct defense attorney can thoroughly investigate these issues, analyze inconsistencies in witness statements, and build a defense that challenges the prosecution’s assumptions from the outset.
What Is Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-III) in Michigan?CSC-III involves sexual penetration without the aggravators that elevate the charge to CSC-I, such as cases involving a victim between the ages of 13 and 15, force or coercion without injury, or a victim who is mentally incapable or incapacitated. It is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Consent is a dominant theme in many CSC III cases. But the legal age of consent in Michigan is 16, and intoxication or incapacitation can negate consent. Digital messages, social media posts, location data, and timeline reconstruction are often decisive. A skilled criminal sexual conduct defense attorney in Lansing can identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, challenge the interpretation of consent, and present a detailed factual defense to protect your rights and future.
What Is Fourth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC-IV) in Michigan?CSC-IV involves sexual contact under circumstances that parallel CSC-III. It is a high court misdemeanor punishable by up to 2 years in jail and fines. Though exposure is less severe than for higher-degree offenses, the consequences remain serious, including probation, treatment requirements, and possible registration implications, depending on the conviction and the case facts. Even in these cases, having a dedicated criminal sexual conduct defense team in Lansing can be crucial to protecting your record, minimizing penalties, and pursuing a resolution that safeguards your future opportunities.
CSC-Related Assault and Child Exploitation Charges Under Michigan LawMichigan also criminalizes assault with intent to commit CSC, MCL 750.520g. Charges frequently accompany alleged attempts, interrupted acts, or ambiguous encounters. Other related offenses include child sexually abusive activity and material, MCL 750.145c, accosting a child for immoral purposes, MCL 750.145a, and using a computer to commit a crime, MCL 752.796. Prosecutors may leverage these charges to increase sentencing exposure or bargaining pressure, which is why a comprehensive defense strategy considers the entire charging package, not just the lead count.
Can You Be Removed From the Michigan Sex Offender Registry?SORA assigns offenses to tiers that determine the length and conditions of registration. Tier classifications affect reporting frequency, employment restrictions, applicability of school safety zones, and the penalties for any alleged reporting violations.
Michigan law also recognizes limited relief mechanisms in narrowly defined circumstances, including certain consensual situations involving minors (sometimes referred to as “Romeo and Juliet” scenarios). An experienced Lansing CSC defense lawyer can assess whether a charge or plea might trigger registration requirements, evaluate eligibility for post-judgment relief, and help craft plea strategies that avoid unintended registration consequences. Our team carefully examines each case to minimize long-term harm and protect your future.
What Happens at a CSC Bond Hearing in Lansing?In Lansing courts, a CSC case often starts with a warrant or a walk-in arraignment. Bond decisions are made quickly and can include no contact with the complaining witness, GPS tether, curfews, alcohol or drug testing, and restrictions on Internet or social media use. Violating these conditions could result in incarceration and new charges.
A skilled CSC defense lawyer in Lansing can play a crucial role at this stage, preparing you for arraignment, advocating for reasonable bond terms, and proposing structured release conditions that address the court’s concerns while preserving your ability to work and participate in your defense. Our team also pursues lawful modifications to no-contact orders when appropriate, especially in cases involving shared children or residences.
Where Will My Criminal Sexual Conduct Case Be Heard in the Lansing Area?Criminal sexual conduct cases in the Lansing area are typically investigated by the Lansing Police Department, the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State University Police and Public Safety, or other agencies in the surrounding areas like Eaton County and Clinton County.
Felony matters begin in district court for arraignment and preliminary examination. Then they are bound over to circuit court if probable cause is found. In the City of Lansing, initial hearings are usually held in the 54-A District Court. For East Lansing and Michigan State University matters, early proceedings often occur in the 54-B District Court. Offenses arising elsewhere in Ingham County may be heard in the 55th District Court in Mason. Felony trials and sentencing happen in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court for Ingham County. If an arrest occurs in the neighboring areas, you may also encounter the 56th District Court and Eaton County Circuit Court in Charlotte for Eaton County matters, and the 65-A District Court and Clinton County Circuit Court in St. Johns for Clinton County issues.
Detention commonly occurs at the Ingham County Jail in Mason, with nearby facilities including the Eaton County Jail in Charlotte and the Clinton County Jail in St. Johns. Working with an experienced Lansing criminal sexual conduct defense attorney who regularly appears in these courts provides a real advantage. Someone who understands local procedures, judicial expectations, and prosecutorial tendencies across each venue can help you navigate your case with confidence and strategy.
Effective Defense Strategies for Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) Cases in LansingEvery CSC case is different, but the framework below helps us build leverage and reasonable doubt.
Our Lansing criminal sexual conduct lawyers are known for our trial readiness. Prosecutors offer their best concessions when they know we are prepared to pick a jury, cross-examine skillfully, and present a credible defense narrative.
Can a Lansing CSC Case Be Dismissed at the Preliminary Examination?Michigan provides a probable cause hearing in felony cases. The preliminary examination is an opportunity to test the prosecution’s theory, lock in testimony, expose weaknesses, and sometimes secure dismissal or a bind-over on lesser charges. Many cases resolve favorably because of what is developed at this stage.
An experienced criminal sexual conduct defense lawyer in Lansing approaches the preliminary exam strategically, preparing cross-examination that highlights inconsistencies, memory gaps, and potential motives to fabricate, while advancing legal arguments on the sufficiency of the evidence and the correct application of Michigan’s CSC statutes. This critical phase often sets the tone for negotiations, potential dismissals, and the overall direction of the defense.
Lansing CSC Defense: Evaluating Consent, Capacity, and Age FactorsConsent is valid only if it is voluntarily given. If a person is under the age of 16, consent does not legalize penetration or sexual contact. If a person is incapacitated by intoxication or unable to understand the nature of the act, the law may treat actual consent as invalid.
These boundaries are fact-intensive. Videos, messages sent before and after the event, third-party witnesses, and evidence of flirtation or relationship dynamics can matter. In cases involving drugs or alcohol, we analyze consumption data, timing, and impairment science, and we challenge assumptions that impairment equals a lack of consent. A knowledgeable Lansing CSC defense lawyer can identify critical factual and scientific issues in these cases, ensuring that the court and jury fully understand the nuances surrounding capacity, consent, and credibility.
Penalties and Collateral Consequences for Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) Convictions in LansingSentences depend on the offense level, your prior record, guideline scoring, the victim’s age, and aggravating factors. CSC-I convictions can involve prison sentences of life or any term of years, as well as certain mandatory minimums in cases involving young alleged victims. CSC-II and CSC-III convictions can carry up to 15 years. And CSC-IV convictions can carry a maximum sentence of 2 years. Probation with treatment conditions, jail alternatives, and deferred judgments may be possible in unique circumstances.
Beyond custody, collateral consequences include registration requirements, restrictions on living or working near schools for specific registrants, immigration removal risks for non-citizens, firearm prohibitions, and the loss of professional licenses. Our criminal sexual conduct defense team in Lansing considers not only the immediate sentencing risks but also the long-term effects on your life and career. We plan for the whole picture, developing mitigation evidence, securing character letters, obtaining treatment evaluations, and using tools like polygraph testing and tailored sentencing presentations to humanize our clients and pursue the best possible outcome.
How Grabel & Associates Defends Clients in Lansing Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) CasesFrom day one, you get a dedicated defense team that includes a lead trial attorney, a research attorney for motions and memorandum support, and an investigator to gather defense evidence. We interview witnesses, canvass locations, and obtain surveillance or doorbell footage before it is overwritten. We file targeted motions to exclude unfairly prejudicial evidence, to suppress statements, and to admit defense evidence that supports consent or impeachment.
A seasoned Lansing criminal sexual conduct defense lawyer from Grabel & Associates also conducts independent forensic reviews rather than relying solely on state lab conclusions. Our team prepares you for every hearing and ensures compliance with bond conditions so the court sees responsibility and stability rather than risk. This coordinated approach, built on preparation, precision, and proactive advocacy, has helped countless clients protect their rights and future across Michigan courts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lansing Criminal Sexual Conduct Cases Q: “What happens if a detective has contacted me?”Do not make a statement. You are not required to meet with law enforcement or explain yourself, and voluntary interviews often become the backbone of the prosecution’s case. Call us immediately so we can meet with law enforcement on your behalf, evaluate whether there is a warrant, and protect your rights.
Q: “Can I talk to the accuser if there is a no-contact order?”No. Even indirect contact through friends or social media can result in contempt or additional charges. We can ask the court to modify orders when lawful and necessary, but you must avoid any contact until the court permits it.
Q: “Will I have to register if I plead guilty to a lesser charge?”It depends on the exact offense and the facts of your case. Some pleas avoid registration altogether. Others reduce the tier or duration. We map the consequences of registration before any plea decision.
Q: “What is lifetime electronic monitoring?”For specific offenses, especially involving young children, the court can impose a GPS tether for life. We analyze whether the statute applies to your case and contest improper applications.
Q: “What if the allegation is from years ago?”Michigan allows the prosecution of older claims, but memories fade and records disappear. We work quickly to locate school files, medical records, employment logs, and digital data that still exist, while the passage of time challenges their reliability.
What Lansing and Ingham County Courts Handle CSC Cases?We regularly appear in the 54-A District Court in Lansing for arraignments, probable cause conferences, and preliminary examinations, in the 54-B District Court in East Lansing for MSU-related cases, and in the 55th District Court in Mason for other Ingham County cases. Once bound over, felony CSC cases proceed to the 30th Judicial Circuit Court at the Ingham County Courthouse. If your case arises in the rural parts of the county, you may also encounter the Eaton County courts in Charlotte and the Clinton County courts in St. Johns.
Detention facilities most often include the Ingham County Jail in Mason, with Eaton and Clinton County Jails serving arrests in their jurisdictions. Understanding how each court schedules hearings, handles bond, and manages pretrial motions helps us sequence your defense to maximize leverage in your case.
Get a Free Consultation Today With a Skilled Criminal Sexual Conduct Lawyer in LansingIf you are under investigation or charged with criminal sexual conduct in Lansing or anywhere in Michigan, timing is everything. Do not speak to police, do not negotiate with detectives, and do not rely on promises that a statement will clear things up. Instead, contact Grabel & Associates for a confidential case review.
We will map out your legal exposure, evaluate any risks, and advise you on sex offender registration exposure. Then we will build a step-by-step plan to protect your freedom, your family, and your future. Our law firm is based in Michigan, and we handle CSC defense statewide, including in Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties (and every other county in the state). Call us today at 1-800-342-7896 or use our secure online form to get started.