Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child and Criminal Sexual Abuse

 Posted on April 28, 2015 in Sexual Assault

When you are charged with a sex offense you need the help of a criminal defense attorney who is experienced with defending this type of offense. Because of the unique types of evidence that are often used in cases involving allegations of sex crimes, these cases often require specialized knowledge. Additionally, these cases often hinge on the testimony of the victim more than any other type of case, meaning you need an attorney who knows how to handle victims in court. There are a whole host of different sex crimes charges in Illinois, and each of them has slightly different requirements in order for one to be found guilty. One such charge is predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a serious allegation that carries significant penalties upon conviction.

Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child

A person can be found guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child if he or she is age 17 or older and has does one of the following with a person who is less than 13 years old:

• Commits an act of contact between the sex organ or anus of one person and a body part of another person for sexual purposes; or
• Commits an act of sexual penetration.

The punishment for this offense is more severe if the accused was armed with a firearm, personally discharged a firearm during the offense, caused great bodily harm to the victim resulting in permanent disability or a threat to his or her life, or drugged the victim.

Criminal Sex Abuse

There are three main ways a person can commit the crime of criminal sex abuse.The first involves the accused either committing an act of sexual conduct by the use of force or threat of force, or committing an act of sexual conduct when he or she knows that the alleged victim is unable to understand the nature of the act or give knowing consent. So what is “sexual conduct?” It is any knowing touching or fondling, either directly or through clothes, of the sex organs, anus or breast. It can also involve the fondling of any part of the body of a child under 13 years old, or the transfer of semen onto any part of the alleged victim’s body. In order to be “sexual conduct” the purpose of the conduct must be sexual gratification or arousal.

The second kind of criminal sexual abuse involves a person under the age of 17 years old committing an act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct with a person who is between the ages of nine and 17. The third type of criminal sexual abuse involves a person committing an act of ssexual penetration or sexual conduct with a victim who is at least 13 years of age but under 17 years of age, where the accused is less than five years older than the alleged victim.

Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley

When you are charged with a sex offense you need the help of an experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney. Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley today at 847-253-3100. When you call we can schedule a time to visit with you and determine how we can be of help.