Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in South Carolina

Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) with a Minor is one of the most serious criminal charges. Preparing a successful defense can be complicated and time consuming.  Charles Grose has over 20 years experience defending people charged with sex offenses.  The South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and South Carolina Public Defender Association have invited Mr. Grose to speak at seminars about defending sex offense cases.

Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) with a Minor in the First Degree is when the person is accused of

• Engaging in a sexual battery with a victim who is less than eleven years of age.  If convicted, the potential penalty is 25 years to life in prison.
• Engaging in a sexual battery with a victim who is less than sixteen years of age and the person has been previously required as a sex offender.  If convicted, the possible penalty is 10 to 30 years in prison.

Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) with a Minor in the Second Degree is when the person is accused of

• Engaging in sexual battery with a victim who is fourteen years of age or less but who is at least eleven years of age; or
• Engaging in sexual battery with a victim who is at least fourteen years of age but who is less than sixteen years of age and the actor is in a position of familial, custodial, or official authority to coerce the victim to submit or is older than the victim.
• If convicted, the penalty is up to 20 years in prison.

Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) with a Minor in the Third Degree is when the person is accused of

• Committing or attempting to commit a lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body, or its parts, of a child under sixteen years of age, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of the actor or the child.
• Prior to 2012, this offense was known as committing or attempting to commit a lewd act upon a minor.
• If convicted, the penalty is up to 15 years in prison.

Criminal solicitation of a minor is when the person is accused of knowingly contacting or communicating with, or attempts to contact or communicate with, a person who is under the age of eighteen, or a person reasonably believed to be under the age of eighteen, for the purpose of or with the intent of persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing the person to engage or participate in a sexual activity, or a violent crime, or with the intent to perform a sexual activity in the presence of the person under the age of eighteen, or person reasonably believed to be under the age of eighteen.

More Information

If you are you under investigation for Criminal Sexual Conduct, you have the right to remain silent and retain a lawyer.  Police investigations of criminal sexual conduct can be lengthy and often involve multiple stages including:

• Police interviews of the child and other potential witnesses.
• Additional interviews of the child by professionals trained to assist the prosecution.
• Medical Exams.
• Search Warrants.
• In some cases, Department of Social Services (DSS) investigations.

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If you are charged with committing criminal sexual conduct with a minor, you have the right to remain silent and retain a lawyer.  Once charges are filed, the court process includes:

• Bond hearings.  In most criminal cases, the Magistrate Court Judge sets most bonds.  For first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor carrying a possible life sentence, a General Sessions Court Judge must set the bond.
• Request, obtain, and review the prosecution’s evidence.
• Independent Investigation.
• Preparation of a Defense.
• Court Appearances.
• Trial.

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Schedule a Consultation

If you are under investigation or charged with committing criminal sexual conduct with a minor, it is essential you obtain an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you.  Attorney Charles Grose has experience defending these cases.

Call our office at 864-538-4466 to schedule a free initial consultation.