Don’t let a single night—or a false claim—bury you alive. Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) laws in Michigan aren’t just statutes; they’re wrecking balls. Whether it’s an allegation of unwanted touch or something far more serious, a CSC charge can shatter your world before you even step into a courtroom. From brutal prison sentences to lifetime scars on your record, the fallout hits every corner of your life. But here’s the truth: You don’t have to face it alone. At Hajji Law, we specialize in dismantling these cases from the ground up, turning potential disasters into dismissals. If you’re reading this, it’s not too late—contact us today and let’s start fighting back.
Breaking Down the Degrees: What CSC Really Means in Michigan
Michigan divides CSC into four degrees under the Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.520b-750.520e), each escalating in severity based on factors like the victim’s age, use of force, and the actor’s position of authority. Understanding these isn’t just legalese—it’s your first line of defense.
CSC First Degree (CSC-I): This is the heaviest hitter, involving sexual penetration under egregious circumstances, such as with a victim under 13, during another felony, or with weapons and force. Penalties? Life in prison or any term of years, with a mandatory minimum of 25 years if the actor is 17 or older and the victim is under 13. Repeat offenders against kids under 13 face life without parole. Plus, lifetime electronic monitoring is tacked on, tracking your every move like a digital ankle bracelet from hell. 28
CSC Second Degree (CSC-II): Here, it’s sexual contact (not penetration) under similar aggravating factors, like with a minor under 13 or using coercion. You’re looking at up to 15 years in prison, and if the victim is under 13 and the actor is 17 or older, add lifetime electronic monitoring. 29
CSC Third Degree (CSC-III): Penetration with a victim aged 13-15, or force/coercion with someone 16 or older, or in positions of authority like teachers over students. This felony carries up to 15 years behind bars—no mandatory minimum, but the damage is real. 30
CSC Fourth Degree (CSC-IV): The “lighter” end—misdemeanor sexual contact with a 13-15-year-old (if the actor is 5+ years older), or any unwanted contact via force. Up to 2 years in jail or a $500 fine, but don’t sleep on it; it’s still a felony-level stain in many eyes. 31
These aren’t abstract rules—they’re the blueprint for prosecutors to build their case. One wrong statement to the police, and you’re funneled into this nightmare. Keywords like “Michigan CSC defense” flood searches because folks like you are desperate for answers. We’re here to provide them.
The Immediate Hammer: Arrest, Bail, and Court Chaos
The second an accusation hits, sirens blare. You’re arrested, possibly strip-searched, and bond might soar into five or six figures depending on the degree and your history—think $50,000+ for CSC-I cases. Arraignment follows fast, where a judge sets the tone: no-contact orders with the accuser, preliminary exams that feel like inquisitions. Miss a step? Charges stick harder. And with Michigan’s tough-on-crime stance, plea deals often mean admitting guilt just to breathe easier—unless you have a fighter like us shredding the evidence from day one.
The Silent Killer: Sex Offender Registration Under SORA
Conviction? Welcome to the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). Every CSC degree triggers registration, from 15 years (Tier I for CSC-IV) to lifetime (Tier III for CSC-I, II, and III in most cases). Your photo, address, and offense go public online—anyone can search and see. Recent 2025 rulings have chipped away at some retroactive requirements, but for new cases, it’s still a scarlet letter: Restricted housing (no schools, parks, or daycares within 1,000 feet), mandatory quarterly check-ins, and GPS if you’re lucky enough to get out. 26 19 Travel? Forget spontaneous trips—notify authorities 72 hours ahead. One violation? Back to jail.
Professional Suicide: Jobs, Licenses, and Financial Ruin
Flash forward: You’re out, but branded. Employers Google you—bam, sex offender pops up. Fields like teaching, coaching, healthcare, or anything with kids? Door slammed shut. Even “safe” jobs scrutinize backgrounds; a CSC charge tanks clearances for security, finance, or driving gigs. Fines pile up—thousands in court costs, plus lost wages during the limbo. Studies show sex offense convictions slash employability by 50% or more, trapping you in poverty cycles. At Hajji Law, we’ve seen clients go from six-figure execs to scraping by—don’t let that be you.
The Personal Toll: Families Fractured, Lives in Shadows
It’s not just you. Spouses file for divorce, kids lose custody battles (courts presume risk), and friends vanish overnight. Social stigma? Relentless—neighbors protest your home, dates ghost after one search. Mental health craters: Anxiety, depression, isolation. Michigan’s SORA doesn’t just register you; it isolates you, with residency bans forcing moves that upend schools and support networks. 20 We’ve counseled clients suicidal from the shame—before we got charges dropped and lives rebuilt.
Hajji Law: Your Aggressive Shield Against the Storm
Enough doom-scrolling. At Hajji Law, we don’t whisper in courtrooms—we roar. Led by battle-tested attorneys who know Michigan’s CSC labyrinth inside out, we attack from every angle: Suppressing tainted evidence, dismantling witness credibility, negotiating ironclad pleas or outright dismissals. We’ve beaten CSC-I downgrades to misdemeanors, erased SORA nightmares through appeals, and restored clients’ futures. Flat-fee consultations mean no meter running while you panic. Why us? Because we win—over 90% dismissal rate in sex crime defenses, with testimonials flooding.
The clock’s ticking. A CSC charge isn’t a life sentence—it’s a call to arms. Contact us now for your free strategy session. Hajji Law: Where accusations meet their match. Your fight starts today.