Assault with Intent Sex Crimes

Michigan Sex Crime Attorneys

In Michigan, a large number of people are charged and convicted of sex crimes even when there is no sexual contact or penetration.  This is because “assault with intent” is a prosecutable sex crime offense. So, for example, if a person is accused of attempting to commit a crime with that attempt being thwarted for some reason, the person accused can still be prosecuted, sent to jail or prison, and placed on the Sex Offender Registry.   The most common example of this is the charge of assault with intent to commit a sexual penetration.

People found guilty of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct involving penetration (criminal sexual conduct in the first or third degrees) could spend up to 10 years in prison. On the other hand, people convicted of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the second degree could spend up to 5 years in prison. Note that there is no assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree; if this situation occurs, it will likely be charged as attempted criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree. There is a fine line between attempt of a criminal sexual conduct crime and an assault with intent crime, but in general the sexual assault type crimes do involve an assault rather than just any overt act towards completion of the sex crime. A key in an assault with intent crime is that the person accused actually intends to penetrate or inappropriately touch another person.

Convicted offenders of assault with intent will likely be placed on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry. If they are found guilty of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the first or third degree (penetration), they will be placed in Tier 3 of the sex offender registry. If they are found guilty of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the second degree (sexual contact), their tier placement depends on the age of the victim. If the victim is over 18 years old, the offender will be placed in Tier 1; if the victim is aged 13 up to 18, the offender will be placed in Tier 2;  and, if the victim is under the age of 13, the offender will be placed in Tier 3.

The experienced and highly-skilled sex crime defense lawyers at Kronzek & Cronkright know the ramifications of a sex crime conviction, and we have learned that many people are falsely accused. That is why we fight hard on behalf of our clients to achieve a positive outcome in their case. We have well over 80 years of combined legal experience in our firm. Let us put that experience to work for you.