Defined under MCL 750.520(a)(b)(c)(d), there are four degrees of sex offenses in Michigan, ranging from first to fourth degree. These carry varying incarceration sentences and penalties, the most severe being with first degree and moving down to fourth degree with the least serious punishments. All of these carry a minimum prison sentence of two years, with first degree having the potential for a life prison sentence. They also all carry with them the potential for lifetime sex offender registry, which can cause serious hardship for an individual even after they have served their sentence.
