Legal Definitions - first-degree sexual conduct

FIRST-DEGREE SEXUAL CONDUCT

First-degree sexual conduct is a type of sexual battery that involves an aggravating factor. This means that the perpetrator commits the offense against a minor or in the course of committing another crime, such as burglary. It is also known as criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.

• A 30-year-old man has sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl.
• A man breaks into a woman's house and sexually assaults her.

These examples illustrate first-degree sexual conduct because they involve an aggravating factor. In the first example, the perpetrator committed the offense against a minor. In the second example, the perpetrator committed the offense in the course of committing another crime, which is burglary. Both of these situations are considered more serious than other types of sexual battery and carry harsher penalties.