Michigan
Michigan Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited September 30, 2026). · 15 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Michigan's general age-based sexual offenses protect persons under 16 under MCL 750.520b, 750.520c, 750.520d and 750.520e (criminal sexual conduct in the first through fourth degrees), and separate provisions protect students, special education recipients and residents of child care settings who are 16 or older in relationships of authority, and other provisions cover relatives by blood or affinity to the third degree with no age stated; most of the structure is tiered by age, act and relationship.
To report a concern: if a child is in immediate danger, call 911. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services states on its official page: "If you suspect abuse or neglect, call 855-444-3911 any time day or night." The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453, call or text) can help you figure out where and how to report. Online exploitation can be reported to the NCMEC CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678.
Information last verified on 2026-09-30. This article has not yet been reviewed by a licensed lawyer. It is legal-reference information, not legal advice.
This page covers Michigan's criminal statutes on sexual offenses involving minors, mainly the criminal sexual conduct statutes in MCL 750.520b to 750.520e and related sections of the Michigan Penal Code. Federal law is summarized on the age of consent laws by state hub. The Michigan Legislature's website stated that its Michigan Compiled Laws were complete through PA 103 of 2026 when the sections below were checked.
This page describes the main age-based sexual offense statutes. Other Michigan statutes also protect minors, and one of them can apply even where none of the offenses described here does.
How Michigan law protects minors by age
Michigan divides its offenses by the type of act and the age of the person. "Sexual penetration" is charged in the first and third degrees, and "sexual contact" in the second and fourth degrees.
| Person protected | Act | Offense | Cite | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 13 | Penetration | First degree | 750.520b(1)(a) | Life or any term of years; not less than 25 years if the actor is 17 or older |
| Under 13 | Contact | Second degree | 750.520c(1)(a) | Up to 15 years |
| 13 to 15, with a listed relationship | Penetration or contact | First or second degree | 750.520b(1)(b); 750.520c(1)(b) | Life or any term of years; up to 15 years |
| At least 13 and under 16 | Penetration | Third degree | 750.520d(1)(a) | Up to 15 years |
| At least 13 and under 16, actor 5 or more years older | Contact | Fourth degree | 750.520e(1)(a) | Misdemeanor, up to 2 years or $500 or both |
| 16 or 17, students | Penetration or contact | Third or fourth degree | 750.520d(1)(e); 750.520e(1)(f) | Up to 15 years; up to 2 years or $500 |
Under 13
MCL 750.520b(1)(a) makes sexual penetration with a person "under 13 years of age" criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, and MCL 750.520c(1)(a) makes sexual contact with a person under 13 criminal sexual conduct in the second degree. Neither paragraph states an age difference or a minimum age for the other person.
First-degree conduct is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of years. Where it is committed by an individual 17 or older against an individual less than 13, the sentence is life or any term of years but not less than 25 years, and where the individual is 18 or older and has a listed prior conviction involving a victim under 13, the sentence is life without the possibility of parole. The court must also sentence the defendant to lifetime electronic monitoring under section 520n, and may order the term to run consecutively to a term for another offense arising from the same transaction. Second-degree conduct is a felony punishable by up to 15 years, with lifetime electronic monitoring where the contact was committed by an individual 17 or older against an individual under 13.
Ages 13 to 15
MCL 750.520d(1)(a) makes sexual penetration with a person "at least 13 years of age and under 16 years of age" criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, a felony punishable by up to 15 years. The paragraph states no age difference and no minimum age for the other person.
MCL 750.520e(1)(a) makes sexual contact with a person "at least 13 years of age but less than 16 years of age" criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree where "the actor is 5 or more years older than that other person." It is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $500, or both.
The first-degree and second-degree statutes also apply to a person at least 13 but less than 16 where the actor is a member of the same household, is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the fourth degree, is in a position of authority over the victim and used that authority to coerce the victim to submit, is a teacher, substitute teacher or administrator of the school in which the person is enrolled, is a school employee, contractual service provider or volunteer who uses that status to gain access to the person, or is an employee, contractor or volunteer of a child care organization or a person licensed to operate a foster family home in which the person is a resident (520b(1)(b) and 520c(1)(b)).
How the age difference works
The 5-year age difference in 520e(1)(a) is written into the definition of the offense, so it is an element of that fourth-degree contact offense. It is not a defense and does not change only the grade. The third-degree penetration offense in 520d(1)(a) and the first- and second-degree offenses for a person under 13 state no age-difference element.
The Sex Offenders Registration Act contains a separate provision, described under registration below, that limits when one registration category applies. It is not part of the definition of the offenses and does not change whether an offense is committed.
Positions of trust and authority
Michigan's statutes protect students and other persons 16 and older in defined relationships, and the protected age range is written into each paragraph.
- Students 16 and 17. Under 520d(1)(e) and 520e(1)(f), the person is at least 16 and less than 18 and a student at a public or nonpublic school, and the actor is either a teacher, substitute teacher or administrator of that school or school district (the subparagraph does not apply if the person is emancipated at the time of the alleged violation), or an employee, contractual service provider, volunteer or government employee assigned to serve the school who uses that status to gain access to, or to establish a relationship with, the person.
- Special education recipients. Under 520d(1)(f) and 520e(1)(g), the person is at least 16 and less than 26, is receiving special education services, and the actor is a teacher, substitute teacher, administrator, employee or contractual service provider of the school or district that provides the services, or a volunteer or government employee who uses that status to gain access to the person.
- Relatives at any age. Under 520d(1)(d) and 520e(1)(d), sexual penetration or contact with a person related to the actor by blood or affinity to the third degree, under circumstances not otherwise prohibited by the chapter, is third- or fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. These paragraphs state no age, so they also apply where the person is 16 or 17.
- Child care and foster settings. Under 520d(1)(g), the actor is an employee, contractual service provider or volunteer of a child care organization, or a person licensed to operate a foster family home or foster family group home, in which the person is a resident, the person is at least 16, and the sexual penetration occurs during the person's residency. Michigan's fourth-degree statute has a matching contact provision in 520e(1)(h).
Third-degree conduct under these paragraphs is a felony punishable by up to 15 years, and fourth-degree conduct is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 2 years or a fine of up to $500, or both.
Other offenses that protect minors
- Accosting, enticing or soliciting a child (MCL 750.145a): accosting, enticing or soliciting a child less than 16, or an individual believed to be one, with the intent to induce or force the child to commit an immoral act, to submit to sexual intercourse or gross indecency, or to any other act of depravity or delinquency, or encouraging a child less than 16 to engage in those acts, is a felony punishable by up to 4 years or a fine of up to $4,000, or both.
- Use of the internet or a computer (MCL 750.145d): using the internet or a computer to communicate with any person for the purpose of committing or soliciting conduct proscribed under sections including 145a, 145c, 520b, 520c, 520d, 520e or 520g where the victim or intended victim is a minor, or is believed to be, is a crime whose penalty scales with the underlying offense, up to a felony of not more than 20 years or $20,000 where the underlying crime carries 15 years or more.
- Child sexually abusive activity and material (MCL 750.145c): the section defines "child" as a person less than 18 years of age, subject to an affirmative defense for persons emancipated by operation of law.
- Paying for prostitution with a person under 18 (MCL 750.449a(2)): engaging or offering to engage the services of a person less than 18 for prostitution, lewdness or assignation, by payment, as that subsection defines the offense, is a felony punishable by up to 5 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both under section 451(4).
- Human trafficking of a minor (MCL 750.462e): recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining a minor for commercial sexual activity is a felony punishable by up to 20 years or a fine of up to $20,000, or both under section 462f(2).
- Assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct (MCL 750.520g): a felony punishable by up to 10 years where the intent involves sexual penetration, and up to 5 years where it is second-degree conduct.
Penalties
| Offense | Cite | Grade and maximum |
|---|---|---|
| First degree | 750.520b(2) | Felony; life or any term of years; not less than 25 years if the actor is 17 or older and the victim under 13 |
| Second degree | 750.520c(2) | Felony; up to 15 years |
| Third degree | 750.520d(2) | Felony; up to 15 years |
| Fourth degree | 750.520e(2) | Misdemeanor; up to 2 years or $500 or both |
| Accosting, enticing or soliciting a child under 16 | 750.145a | Felony; up to 4 years or $4,000 or both |
| Paying for prostitution with a person under 18 | 750.449a(2); 750.451(4) | Felony; up to 5 years or $10,000 or both |
| Human trafficking of a minor | 750.462e; 750.462f(2) | Felony; up to 20 years or $20,000 or both |
Sex offender registration
Michigan's Sex Offenders Registration Act sorts offenses into tiers in MCL 28.722, and MCL 28.725 sets the period, except as otherwise provided in that section and section 8c: a tier I offender complies for 15 years, a tier II offender for 25 years and a tier III offender for life. The tier III list includes violations of sections 520b, 520d and 520g(1), sections 520c and 520g(2) committed against an individual under 13, and section 520e committed by an individual 17 or older against an individual under 13. The tier II list includes sections 520c, 520e and 520g(2) committed against an individual 13 or older but less than 18, and violations of sections 145a, 145c(2) or (3), 145d(1)(a) and 462e(a). The tier I list includes section 520e where the victim is 18 or older and any other violation that by its nature constitutes a sexual offense against a minor and is not a tier II or tier III offense.
The tier III paragraph for sections 520b, 520d and 520g(1) states that it does not apply if the court determines that the victim consented to the conduct, that the victim was at least 13 but less than 16 at the time of the offense, and that the individual is not more than 4 years older than the victim. That provision affects which registration category applies. It does not change whether an offense under section 520d was committed. Registration procedures for a particular case were not researched for this page, so the act itself should be read directly.
Recent changes
The history lines for sections 520b, 520c, 520d and 520e show that 520b was last amended by 2014 PA 23, 520c by 2012 PA 372, and 520d and 520e by 2023 PA 126 (effective September 27, 2023). No amendment to these sections in 2024 through 2026 appears on the Legislature's site, which was complete through PA 103 of 2026. Public acts not yet reflected on the site were not separately searched.
How to report
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services states on its official page that anyone who suspects abuse or neglect can call 855-444-3911 any time day or night, and that the number takes reports of abuse or neglect of any child or adult. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453, call or text) and the NCMEC CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678) are also available.
Disclaimer
This page is general legal information about Michigan criminal statutes as verified on 2026-09-30. It is not legal advice. Statutes change, summaries simplify, and the statute text controls. Anyone with a specific situation should consult a lawyer licensed in Michigan.
Related articles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "sexual penetration" and "sexual contact" in these statutes?
Michigan defines both terms in MCL 750.520a. Sexual penetration is charged in the first and third degrees and sexual contact in the second and fourth degrees, and the terms are defined in the statute text, which controls.
Does Michigan use a different age for teachers and school staff?
The statutes state different ages by relationship. For a student, paragraphs 520d(1)(e) and 520e(1)(f) cover a person at least 16 and less than 18, while 520d(1)(f) and 520e(1)(g) cover a person at least 16 and less than 26 who is receiving special education services.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Michigan Compiled Laws
§ 750.520dCriminal sexual conduct in the third degree; felonyIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
(1) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree if the person engages in sexual penetration with another person and if any of the following circumstances exist: (a) That other person is at least 13 years of age and under 16 years of age. (b) Force or coercion is used to accomplish the sexual penetration. Force or coercion includes but is not limited to any of the circumstances listed in section 520b(1)(f)(i) to (v). (c) The actor knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally incapable, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. (d) That other person is related to the actor by blood or affinity to the third degree and the sexual penetration occurs under circumstances not otherwise prohibited by this chapter. It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this subdivision that the other person was in a position of authority over the defendant and used this authority to coerce the defendant to violate this subdivision. The defendant has the burden of proving this defense by a preponderance of the evidence. This subdivision does not apply if both persons are lawfully married to each other at the time of the alleged violation.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 694 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Armstrong (Michigan Supreme Court 2011, 490 Mich. 281)“…ant of two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520d(1)(a) (victim at least 13 but less than…”
- People v. Robideau (Michigan Supreme Court 1984, 419 Mich. 458)“…A 28.788(2)(lXc) is penetration, which is not a crime under MCL 750.520d; MSA 28.788(4). This analysis is cons…”
- People v. Gaines (Michigan Court of Appeals 2014, 306 Mich. App. 289)“…293 degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC-III) involving AW, MCL 750.520d(1)(a) (sexual intercourse with a victim…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Michigan Expungement Laws: How Conviction Set-Aside Works Under MCL 780.621, Michigan Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties, Age of Consent Laws by State: Statutes, Protections and Reporting
§ 750.520bCriminal sexual conduct in the first degree; circumstances; felony; consecutive termsIn forcecited in 8 of our articles
(1) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree if he or she engages in sexual penetration with another person and if any of the following circumstances exists: (a) That other person is under 13 years of age. (b) That other person is at least 13 but less than 16 years of age and any of the following: (i) The actor is a member of the same household as the victim. (ii) The actor is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the fourth degree. (iii) The actor is in a position of authority over the victim and used this authority to coerce the victim to submit. (iv) The actor is a teacher, substitute teacher, or administrator of the public school, nonpublic school, school district, or intermediate school district in which that other person is enrolled.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 2,112 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Payne (Michigan Court of Appeals 2009, 285 Mich. App. 181)“…convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC I), MCL 750.520b(1)(f). 1 In Kent Circuit C…”
- People v. Solloway (Michigan Court of Appeals 2016, 316 Mich. App. 174)“…onvictions of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC I), MCL 750.520b(1)(a), and two counts of failing to com…”
- People v. Douglas (Michigan Supreme Court 2014, 496 Mich. 557)“…182 L Ed 2d 398 (2012). Ante at 597. MCL 750.520b(2)(b). Strickland v Washington,…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Michigan Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type, Michigan Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Personal Protection Order, Michigan Name Change Laws: Criminal-History Disclosure, Fees, and the MCL 711.1 Process
§ 750.520cCriminal sexual conduct in the second degree; felonyIn forcecited in 5 of our articles
(1) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree if the person engages in sexual contact with another person and if any of the following circumstances exists: (a) That other person is under 13 years of age. (b) That other person is at least 13 but less than 16 years of age and any of the following: (i) The actor is a member of the same household as the victim. (ii) The actor is related by blood or affinity to the fourth degree to the victim. (iii) The actor is in a position of authority over the victim and the actor used this authority to coerce the victim to submit. (iv) The actor is a teacher, substitute teacher, or administrator of the public school, nonpublic school, school district, or intermediate school district in which that other person is enrolled.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 1,011 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. VanderVliet (Michigan Supreme Court 1993, 444 Mich. 52)“…nt to each case for the reasons set forth in part V. [4] MCL 750.520c(1)(h); MSA 28.788(3)(1)(h). [5] The…”
- People v. Watkins; People v. Pullen (Michigan Supreme Court 2012, 491 Mich. 450)“…520b(l)(a) (involving a person under the age of 13). MCL 750.520c(l)(a) (involving a person under the age…”
- People of Michigan v. Stanley G Duncan (Michigan Supreme Court 2013, 494 Mich. 713)“…US Const, Am VI. MCL 750.520b(1)(a). MCL 750.520c(1)(a). MCL 722.125(1)(b).…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.520eCriminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree; misdemeanorIn forcecited in 5 of our articles
(1) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree if the person engages in sexual contact with another person and if any of the following circumstances exist: (a) That other person is at least 13 years of age but less than 16 years of age, and the actor is 5 or more years older than that other person. (b) Force or coercion is used to accomplish the sexual contact. Force or coercion includes, but is not limited to, any of the following circumstances: (i) When the actor overcomes the victim through the actual application of physical force or physical violence. (ii) When the actor coerces the victim to submit by threatening to use force or violence on the victim, and the victim believes that the actor has the present ability to execute that threat. (iii) When the actor coerces the victim to submit by threatening to retaliate in the future against the victim, or any other person, and the victim believes that the actor has the ability to execute that threat. As used in this subparagraph, "to retaliate" includes threats of physical punishment, kidnapping, or extortion.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 313 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Brantley (Michigan Court of Appeals 2012, 296 Mich. App. 546)“…a violation of this section or [MCL 750.520c, MCL 750.520d, MCL 750.520e, or MCL 750.520g] committed against an…”
- People v. Drohan (Michigan Supreme Court 2006, 475 Mich. 140)“…and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520e(1)(b). Defendant also pleaded guilty to…”
- People of Michigan v. Lovell Charles Sharpe (Michigan Supreme Court 2018, 502 Mich. 313)“…C, MCL 750.520d, and one count of fourth-degree CSC, MCL 750.520e, based on allegations that he en…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 28.722DefinitionsIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
As used in this act: (a) "Convicted" means 1 of the following: (i) Having a judgment of conviction or a probation order entered in any court having jurisdiction over criminal offenses, including, but not limited to, a tribal court or a military court. Convicted does not include a conviction that was subsequently set aside under 1965 PA 213, MCL 780.621 to 780.624, or otherwise expunged. (ii) Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, being assigned to youthful trainee status under sections 11 to 15 of chapter II of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 762.11 to 762.15, before October 1, 2004. An individual who is assigned to and successfully completes a term of supervision under sections 11 to 15 of chapter II of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 762.11 to 762.15, is not convicted for purposes of this act. This subparagraph does not apply if a petition was granted under section 8c at any time allowing the individual to discontinue registration under this act, including a reduced registration period that extends to or past July 1, 2011, regardless of the tier designation that would apply on and after that date.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cross-referenced in the statute itself: § 750.145d, § 750.520b, § 750.520c, § 750.520d
Cited in 210 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Watkins; People v. Pullen (Michigan Supreme Court 2012, 491 Mich. 450)“…ion 2 of the sex offenders registration act, 1994 PA 295 , MCL 28.722. (b) “Minor” means an individual less…”
- People v. Bosca (Michigan Court of Appeals 2015, 310 Mich. App. 1)“…amended version of SORA,11 a “listed offense” is defined by MCL 28.722(k) as comprising a “tier I, tier II, or…”
- People v. Mann (Michigan Court of Appeals 2010, 288 Mich. App. 114)“…ion 2 of the sex offenders registration act, 1994 PA 295 , MCL 28.722.” MCL 28.722(e)(x) states that a…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Michigan Background Check Laws (2026 Guide), Michigan Pornography Laws (2026): Two Age-Verification Bills, Neither Enacted
§ 28.725Conditions requiring individual to report in person and provide notice to registering authority; release of incarcerated individual; notice; compliance; removal upon expungementIn force
(1) An individual required to be registered under this act who is a resident of this state shall report in person, or in another manner as prescribed by the department, and notify the registering authority having jurisdiction where his or her residence or domicile is located not more than 3 business days after any of the following occur: (a) The individual changes or vacates his or her residence or domicile. (b) The individual changes his or her place of employment, or employment is discontinued. (c) The individual enrolls as a student with an institution of higher education, or enrollment is discontinued. (d) The individual changes his or her name. (e) Any change required to be reported under section 4a.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 82 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Dowdy (Michigan Supreme Court 2011, 489 Mich. 373)“…or vacate[d] his . . . residence or domicile” pursuant to MCL 28.725(1) and two counts of violating MCL 28.7…”
- People v. Tucker (Michigan Court of Appeals 2015, 312 Mich. App. 645)“…cond or subsequent offense committed after October 1, 1995. MCL 28.725(3) and (4), as enacted by 1994 PA 295.…”
- People v Shaver (Michigan Supreme Court 2026)“…cement of address changes. See MCL 28.723, MCL 28.724, and MCL 28.725(1), as enacted by 1994 PA 295.…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.145aAccosting, enticing or soliciting child for immoral purposeIn force
A person who accosts, entices, or solicits a child less than 16 years of age, regardless of whether the person knows the individual is a child or knows the actual age of the child, or an individual whom he or she believes is a child less than 16 years of age with the intent to induce or force that child or individual to commit an immoral act, to submit to an act of sexual intercourse or an act of gross indecency, or to any other act of depravity or delinquency, or who encourages a child less than 16 years of age, regardless of whether the person knows the individual is a child or knows the actual age of the child, or an individual whom he or she believes is a child less than 16 years of age to engage in any of those acts is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $4,000.00, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 142 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Kowalski (Michigan Supreme Court 2011, 489 Mich. 488)“…l purposes or encouraging a minor to commit an immoral act, MCL 750.145a, and using a computer or the Internet t…”
- People v. Lockett (Michigan Court of Appeals 2012, 295 Mich. App. 165)“…nother felony), and accosting a minor for immoral purposes, MCL 750.145a. The trial court, applying a fourth-off…”
- People v. Gaines (Michigan Court of Appeals 2014, 306 Mich. App. 289)“…enticing, or soliciting a child (CP) for immoral purposes, MCL 750.145a, and sentenced to 13 months to 4 years…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.145cDefinitions; child sexually abusive activity or material; penalties; possession of child sexually abusive material; expert testimony; defenses; acts of commercial film or photographic print processor; report to law enforcement agency by computer technician; reasonable availability of evidence to defendant; applicability and uniformity of section; enactment or enforcement of ordinance, rule, or regulation prohibitedIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
(1) As used in this section: (a) "Access" means to intentionally cause to be viewed by or transmitted to a person. (b) "Appears to include a child" means that the depiction appears to include, or conveys the impression that it includes, a person who is less than 18 years of age, and the depiction meets either of the following conditions: (i) It was created using a depiction of any part of an actual person under the age of 18. (ii) It was not created using a depiction of any part of an actual person under the age of 18, but all of the following apply to that depiction: (A) The average individual, applying contemporary community standards, would find the depiction, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest. (B) The reasonable person would find the depiction, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. (C) The depiction depicts or describes a listed sexual act in a patently offensive way. (c) "Child" means a person who is less than 18 years of age, subject to the affirmative defense created in subsection (7) regarding persons emancipated by operation of law.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 195 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):People v. Flick (2010) held that "possesses" in MCL 750.145c(4) covers constructive as well as actual possession, so intentionally accessing and displaying images on screen sufficed. People v. Roberts (2011) rejected vagueness and overbreadth challenges, noting it reaches recording otherwise lawful sexual activity by 16- and 17-year-olds.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Peterson (Michigan Supreme Court 1995, 450 Mich. 349)“…(2). [2] MCL 750.520b(1)(a); MSA 28.788(2)(1)(a). [3] MCL 750.145c(2); MSA 28.342a(2). [4] MCL 769.12;…”
- People v. Flick; People v. Lazarus (Michigan Supreme Court 2010, 487 Mich. 1)✓Both defendants paid by credit card to reach child pornography sites and viewed images that survived only in temporary Internet files; the Michigan Supreme Court held that "possesses" in MCL 750.145c(4) covers constructive possession, so the bindovers for trial stood.
- People v. Wilkens (Michigan Court of Appeals 2005, 267 Mich. App. 728)✓Wilkens videotaped himself, a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl in sexual acts and was convicted under MCL 750.145c(2) of producing child sexually abusive material; the appeals court affirmed, treating consent as no defense and rejecting his double jeopardy claim.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Michigan Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
§ 750.145dUse of internet or computer system; prohibited conduct; violation; penalty; jurisdiction; order to reimburse state or local governmental unit; definitionsIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(1) A person shall not use the internet or a computer, computer program, computer network, or computer system to communicate with any person for the purpose of doing any of the following: (a) Committing, attempting to commit, conspiring to commit, or soliciting another person to commit conduct proscribed under section 145a, 145c, 157c, 349, 350, 520b, 520c, 520d, 520e, or 520g, or section 5 of 1978 PA 33, MCL 722.675, in which the victim or intended victim is a minor or is believed by that person to be a minor. (b) Committing, attempting to commit, conspiring to commit, or soliciting another person to commit conduct proscribed under section 411h or 411i. (c) Committing, attempting to commit, conspiring to commit, or soliciting another person to commit conduct proscribed under chapter XXXIII or section 327, 327a, 328, or 411a(2). (2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a crime as follows: (a) If the underlying crime is a misdemeanor or a felony with a maximum term of imprisonment of less than 1 year, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 30 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Kowalski (Michigan Supreme Court 2011, 489 Mich. 488)“…nd using a computer or the Internet to accomplish the same, MCL 750.145d, should be overturned on the basis of…”
- People v. Tombs (Michigan Supreme Court 2005, 472 Mich. 446)“…ate with people for the purpose of possessing the material, MCL 750.145d. 2 In a published opinion, the Court o…”
- People v. Golba (Michigan Court of Appeals 2007, 273 Mich. App. 603)“…Id. at 638-639 . The defendant was charged with violating MCL 750.145d, which at the time of the alleged offen…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.449aEngaging services for purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation; engaging services with person less than 18 years of age for purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation; penaltyIn force
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who engages or offers to engage the services of another person, not his or her spouse, for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation, by the payment in money or other forms of consideration, is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person convicted of violating this section is subject to part 52 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.5201 to 333.5210. (2) A person who engages or offers to engage the services of another person, who is less than 18 years of age and who is not his or her spouse, for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation, by the payment in money or other forms of consideration, is guilty of a crime punishable as provided in section 451.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 8 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Mich. Gun Owners, Inc. v. Ann Arbor Pub. Sch. (Michigan Supreme Court 2018, 502 Mich. 695)“…eace officer, to brandish a firearm in public. In addition, MCL 750.449a provides that "a person who engages or…”
- STATE Ex Rel WAYNE COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY v. BENNIS (Michigan Court of Appeals 1993, 200 Mich. App. 670)“…nduct, specifically, engaging the services of a prostitute, MCL 750.449a; MSA 28.704(1), and gross indecency bet…”
- People of Michigan v. Kelvin Willis (Michigan Supreme Court 2019, 931 N.W.2d 1)“…vices of person under 18 for purposes of prostitution under MCL 750.449a(2). That provision states, “A person wh…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.451Violation of MCL 750.448, 750.449, 750.449a(1), 750.450, or 750.462; prior convictions; penalty; prosecution of person under 18 years of age; presumption; report; investigation by department of health and human services; "prior conviction" definedIn force
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person convicted of violating section 448, 449, 449a(1), 450, or 462 is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both. (2) A person 16 years of age or older who is convicted of violating section 448, 449, 449a(1), 450, or 462 and who has 1 prior conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. (3) A person convicted of violating section 448, 449, 449a(1), 450, or 462 and who has 2 or more prior convictions is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both. (4) A person convicted of violating section 449a(2) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both. (5) If the prosecuting attorney intends to seek an enhanced sentence based upon the defendant having 1 or more prior convictions, the prosecuting attorney shall include on the complaint and information a statement listing the prior conviction or convictions.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 8 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Morey (Michigan Supreme Court 1999, 461 Mich. 325)“…ting a single act of prostitution, MCL 750.450; MSA 28.705, MCL 750.451; MSA 28.706, which carries a penalty of…”
- People v. Norwood (Michigan Court of Appeals 2013, 303 Mich. App. 466)“…ting a single act of prostitution, MCL 750.450; MSA 28.705, MCL 750.451; MSA 28.706, which carries a penalty of…”
- City of Detroit v. Recorder's Court Judge (Michigan Court of Appeals 1981, 104 Mich. App. 214)“…d conviction for accosting and soliciting for prostitution. MCL 750.451; MSA 28.706. The Detroit ordinance, doe…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.462eForced labor or services; prohibited conduct as it relates to age of minorIn force
A person shall not do any of the following, regardless of whether the person knows the age of the minor: (a) Recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, or obtain by any means a minor for commercial sexual activity. (b) Recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, or obtain by any means a minor for forced labor or services.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People of Michigan v. Travun Baskerville (Michigan Court of Appeals 2020)“…rafficking of a minor involving commercial sexual activity, MCL 750.462e(a); commercial child sexually abusive a…”
- People of Michigan v. Amber R Speed (Michigan Court of Appeals 2020)“…count of recruiting a minor for sexually abusive activity, MCL 750.462e,1 and one count of inducing a person to…”
- People of Michigan v. Brad Cournaya (Michigan Court of Appeals 2019)“…trial, of enticing a minor for commercial sexual activity, MCL 750.462e(a), and using a computer to commit a cr…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.520aDefinitionsIn force
As used in this chapter: (a) "Actor" means a person accused of criminal sexual conduct. (b) "Developmental disability" means an impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior that meets all of the following criteria: (i) It originated before the person became 18 years of age. (ii) It has continued since its origination or can be expected to continue indefinitely. (iii) It constitutes a substantial burden to the impaired person's ability to perform in society. (iv) It is attributable to 1 or more of the following: (A) Intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or autism. (B) Any other condition of a person that produces a similar impairment or requires treatment and services similar to those required for a person described in this subdivision. (c) "Electronic monitoring" means that term as defined in section 85 of the corrections code of 1953, 1953 PA 232, MCL 791.285. (d) "Intellectual disability" means that term as defined in section 100b of the mental health code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1100b. (e) "Intermediate school district" means a corporate body established under part 7 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.601 to 380.705.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 468 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. VanderVliet (Michigan Supreme Court 1993, 444 Mich. 52)“…is mentally retarded, or has a developmental disability. [MCL 750.520a(e); MSA 28.788(1)(e).] "Mentally reta…”
- People v. Duenaz (Michigan Court of Appeals 2014, 306 Mich. App. 85)“…e genital or anal openings of another person’s body. . . .” MCL 750.520a(r). The elements of CSC-II are: (1) the…”
- People v. Oliphant (Michigan Supreme Court 1976, 399 Mich. 472)“…rent provisions dealing with criminal sexual conduct, see MCLA 750.520a et seq.; MSA 28.788(1) et seq. [7…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 750.520gAssault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct; felonyIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(1) Assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct involving sexual penetration shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years. (2) Assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the second degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.mi.gov
Cited in 229 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- People v. Hackett (Michigan Supreme Court 1985, 421 Mich. 338)“…anagh, J., took no part in the decision of Paquette. MCL 750.520g(1); MSA 28.788(75(1). MCL 750.52…”
- People v. Nickens (Michigan Supreme Court 2004, 470 Mich. 622)“…t CSC involving sexual penetration, MCL 750.520g(1). The jury acquitted defendant o…”
- People v. Starks (Michigan Supreme Court 2005, 473 Mich. 227)“…xual conduct involving sexual penetration, MCL 750.520g(1). The district cou…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Explore the law
The laws cited above reference these related sections in their own text:
- Michigan Compiled Laws § 722.4 — Emancipation by operation of law or according to petition filed by minor with family division of circuit court view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.448 — Soliciting, accosting, or inviting to commit prostitution or immoral act; crime view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.539 — Divulging contents of messages view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.539j — Surveillance of or distribution, dissemination, or transmission of recording, photograph, or visual image of individual having reasonable expectation of privacy; prohibited conduct; violation as felony; penalty; exceptions; "surveil" defined view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Michigan Compiled Laws § 762.11 — Criminal offense by individual between ages 17 and 24 before October 1, 2021 and 18 and 26 beginning October 1, 2021; assignment to status of youthful trainee; consent of prosecuting attorney; exceptions; employment or school attendance; electronic monitoring; definitions view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Michigan Compiled Laws § 780.621 — Application for order setting aside conviction; felony or misdemeanor conviction; setting aside of certain convictions prohibited; victim of human trafficking violation; definitions view in our statute record · read at the official source
Related law for further reading — not part of this article’s citations.
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Sources and References
- MCL 750.520b (Criminal sexual conduct in the first degree)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.520c (Criminal sexual conduct in the second degree)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.520d (Criminal sexual conduct in the third degree)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.520e (Criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.520g (Assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.145a (Accosting, enticing or soliciting a child under 16)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.145c (Child sexually abusive activity or material)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.145d (Using the internet or a computer to commit certain offenses)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.449a (Engaging or offering to engage services for prostitution)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.451 (Penalties for prostitution offenses)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.462e (Human trafficking of a minor for commercial sexual activity)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 750.462f (Human trafficking penalties)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 28.722 (Sex Offenders Registration Act definitions)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- MCL 28.725 (Sex Offenders Registration Act duration of compliance)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: report abuse and neglect(www.michigan.gov).gov