Child Sexual Abuse Laws by State (2026)
How each state handles child molestation (child sexual abuse) and the penalties, from each state's code.
| State | Child molestation (child sexual abuse) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old (sexual contact with a child under 12 by a person 16 or older) is a Class B felony (2 to 20 years). Sexual abuse in the second degree, which covers sexual contact by a person 19 or older with a child 12 to 15, is a Class A misdemeanor, but a Class C felony if the offender is at least 15 years older than the victim or it is a repeat sex offense within one year. Enticing a child under 16 to enter a vehicle, house or other place for sexual purposes is a Class C felony. A Class B felony sex offense involving a child carries a minimum of 10 years, and a Class A felony sex offense involving a child a minimum of 20 years. Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-6-69.1, 13A-6-67, 13A-6-69, 13A-5-6(a)(5)-(6) |
| Alaska | Sexual abuse of a minor has four degrees. First degree, an unclassified felony, covers sexual penetration of a child under 13 by someone 16 or older, and penetration of a child by a parent, stepparent or guardian, or by an adult in a position of authority or living in the household with authority over a child under 16; a first felony offense carries a presumptive 25 to 35 years if the child was under 13 (20 to 30 otherwise), up to 99 years. Second degree, a class B felony (presumptive 5 to 15 years), includes penetration of a 13- to 15-year-old by someone 17 or older and at least four years older, and sexual contact with a child under 13. Third degree, sexual contact with a 13- to 15-year-old by someone 17 or older and at least four years older, is a class C felony. Fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year). AS 11.41.434, 11.41.436, 11.41.438, 11.41.440, 12.55.125(i); AS 12.55.035, 12.55.125, 12.55.135 |
| Arizona | Molestation of a child (intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual contact, other than with the female breast, with a child under 15) is a class 2 felony sentenced as a dangerous crime against children: for a first offense 10 years minimum, 17 presumptive and 24 maximum. Continuous sexual abuse of a child carries 39 / 60 / 81 years for a first offense. An adult who commits sexual assault or sexual conduct with a child 12 or younger (other than masturbatory contact) must be sentenced to life, with no release for at least 35 years. Sentences for dangerous crimes against children in the first or second degree run consecutively to other sentences. A.R.S. §§ 13-1410, 13-705 |
| Arkansas | Sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with a child under 14 is rape, a Class Y felony, and consent is no defense; a conviction for rape of a victim under 14 carries a minimum of 25 years in prison. It is an affirmative defense if the actor was not more than three years older than the victim. Sexual contact by an adult with a child under 14 is sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony (5 to 20 years), or a Class D felony when committed by a minor. Under Act 662 of 2025, capital rape of a child 13 or younger in listed aggravating circumstances is punishable by death or life without parole for an offender 18 or older. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 5-14-103(a)(3), (c), 5-14-125(a)(3), (a)(5), (b); Act 662 of 2025 |
| California | A lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 for sexual purposes is a felony of 3, 6 or 8 years in state prison, or 5, 8 or 10 years if done by force, violence, duress, menace or fear. With a child of 14 or 15 by someone at least 10 years older, it is 1, 2 or 3 years in state prison or up to 1 year in county jail, so it can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Continuous sexual abuse (three or more acts over at least three months by someone living with or having recurring access to a child under 14) is 6, 12 or 16 years. An adult who has intercourse or sodomy with a child 10 or younger faces 25 years to life, and for oral copulation or sexual penetration, 15 years to life. Annoying or molesting a child under 18 is a misdemeanor up to 1 year in county jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Cal. Pen. Code 288, 288.5, 288.7, 647.6; Pen. Code 17, 18, 19, 1170(h) |
| Colorado | Sexual assault on a child (knowingly subjecting a child under 15 to sexual contact when the actor is at least four years older) is a class 4 felony, raised to a class 3 felony if the actor uses force or threats or it is part of a pattern of sexual abuse. Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust applies to victims under 18: a class 3 felony if the child is under 15 or there is a pattern of abuse, otherwise a class 4 felony. These are sex offenses under the Lifetime Supervision Act, so a prison sentence is indeterminate, with a minimum based on the presumptive range and a maximum of natural life. Sexual intrusion or penetration of a child under 15 by someone at least four years older is sexual assault under § 18-3-402. C.R.S. §§ 18-3-405, 18-3-405.3, 18-3-402(1)(d), 18-1.3-1004 |
| Connecticut | Sexual contact with a child under 16 in a sexual and indecent manner (or making the child touch the offender's intimate parts) is 'risk of injury to a child,' a class B felony (1 to 20 years), with 5 years that cannot be suspended or reduced if the child is under 13. Sexual intercourse with a child under 13 by someone more than two years older is first-degree sexual assault, a class A felony (10 to 25 years) with at least 5 or 10 years mandatory depending on the child's age. Sexual contact with a child under 13 (actor more than two years older) or a child 13 or 14 (actor more than three years older) is fourth-degree sexual assault, a class D felony (up to 5 years) because the victim is under 16. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-21(a)(2), 53a-70, 53a-73a; § 53a-35a |
| Delaware | Intentional sexual contact with a child under 13 is unlawful sexual contact in the first degree, a class D felony (up to 8 years), and with a child under 18 it is a class F felony. Continuous sexual abuse of a child (three or more sexual acts over at least three months by someone living with or having recurring access to a child under 18) is a class B felony (2 to 25 years). Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision ranges from a class A felony (with a 10-year minimum, or life without parole in listed cases) down to a class G felony depending on the act and the child's age. A listed sexual offense against a child under 14 by an adult is a 'dangerous crime against a child,' a class B felony with no suspension, probation or early release and mandatory life for a second offense; a registered sex offender who commits a sexual offense against a child faces a grade one step higher, or a doubled minimum for class A or B offenses. 11 Del. C. §§ 768, 769, 776, 777, 777A, 778, 778A; § 4205 |
| District of Columbia | First-degree child sexual abuse (a sexual act with a child under 16 by someone at least 4 years older) is punishable by any term of years up to life. Second-degree child sexual abuse (sexual contact with such a child) carries up to 10 years. If an aggravating factor applies, such as a victim under 13, a 'significant relationship' with a victim under 18, serious injury or a weapon, the maximum rises to 1.5 times, and first-degree child sexual abuse can bring life without release; the prosecutor must file notice of the aggravator before trial or plea. D.C. Code §§ 22-3008, 22-3009, 22-3020 |
| Florida | Lewd or lascivious molestation (intentionally touching the intimate areas of a child under 16 in a lewd manner, or making the child touch the offender) by an adult against a child under 12 is a life felony, punished by life in prison or at least 25 years followed by lifetime probation, and life for a second offense. The same act by an adult against a child 12 to 15 is a second-degree felony (up to 15 years), or first degree with listed prior sex convictions. Lewd or lascivious battery (sexual activity with a child 12 to 15) is a second-degree felony, and lewd or lascivious conduct (lewd touching or soliciting a child under 16) by an adult is a second-degree felony. Sexual battery of a child under 12 by an adult is a capital felony. Fla. Stat. §§ 800.04(4)-(6), 775.082(3)(a)4., 794.011(2) |
| Georgia | Child molestation (an immoral or indecent act to, with or in the presence of a child under 16, or sending such images to the child electronically, intending sexual arousal) carries 5 to 20 years for a first offense and 10 to 30 years or life for a later offense. If the victim is 14 or 15 and the offender is 18 or younger and no more than four years older, it is a misdemeanor. Aggravated child molestation (molestation that physically injures the child or involves sodomy) carries life or a split sentence of at least 25 years in prison followed by lifetime probation. A person with a prior sexual felony conviction faces life or a split sentence with lifetime probation and electronic monitoring. O.C.G.A. § 16-6-4 |
| Hawaii | Sexual penetration with a child under 14 is first-degree sexual assault, a class A felony (indeterminate 20 years), and sexual contact with a child under 14 is third-degree sexual assault, a class C felony (5 years). Continuous sexual assault of a minor under 14 (three or more acts of penetration or sexual contact over time by someone living with the child or having recurring access) is a class A felony. Sexual penetration or contact with a 14- or 15-year-old by someone at least five years older (and not married to the minor) is first- or third-degree sexual assault. Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 707-730(1)(b), (c); 707-732; 707-733.6 |
| Idaho | Lewd conduct with a child under 16 (sexual contact of the kinds listed in the statute, done for sexual gratification) is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. Sexual abuse of a child under 16 by an adult (soliciting a child for a sexual act, sexual contact short of lewd conduct, or making a child watch sexual conduct) is a felony up to 25 years. Sexual battery of a 16- or 17-year-old by someone at least 5 years older is a felony up to life (for lewd acts) or up to 25 years (for solicitation or other contact). Since 2025, aggravated lewd conduct (with two listed aggravating factors, such as force, a position of trust or serious injury) carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years up to life when the child is 13 to 15, and death or life in prison when the child is 12 or under; fixed minimum terms for these offenses are served without parole, good-time credit or work release. Idaho Code §§ 18-1506, 18-1508, 18-1508A, 18-1508B, 18-1508C, 18-1508D, 18-1508E |
| Illinois | Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (a person 17 or older having sexual contact or penetration with a child under 13) is a Class X felony with 6 to 60 years; being armed with a firearm adds 15 years and discharging one adds 20 years, causing life-threatening or permanently disabling great bodily harm brings 50 years to natural life for an adult, and an adult convicted of offenses against 2 or more children receives natural life. Sexual penetration by someone under 17 with a child under 9 (or 9 to 12 by force) is aggravated criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony. Sexual touching of a child under 13 by someone 17 or older, of a 13- to 16-year-old by force, or of a child under 18 by a family member is aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony (3 to 7 years); it is a Class 1 felony (4 to 15 years) when someone 17 or older in a position of trust, authority or supervision touches a victim under 18. Sexual penetration by a family member of a victim under 18 is criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony. 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40, 5/11-1.30(b), (d), 5/11-1.60(b), (c), (f), (g), 5/11-1.20(a)(3); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25 to -65 |
| Indiana | Child molesting is sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child under 14, a Level 3 felony (3 to 16 years), raised to a Level 1 felony when committed by a person 21 or older, with deadly force or a deadly weapon, causing serious bodily injury, by drugging the child, or by knowingly transmitting a serious sexually transmitted disease (certain Level 1 child molesting carries 20 to 50 years). Sexual fondling or touching of a child under 14 is a Level 4 felony (2 to 12 years), or Level 2 (10 to 30 years) with deadly force, a weapon or drugging. Child seduction covers adults in positions of trust (for example a guardian, stepparent, coach, child care worker, someone with a professional relationship, a workplace supervisor or a police officer) who have sexual contact with a child under 18: Level 6 or 5 for a child 16 or 17, Level 5 or 4 for a child 14 or 15, and Level 3 or 2 for a child 13 or under, depending on whether the contact is touching or intercourse. IC 35-42-4-3, 35-42-4-7; IC 35-50-2-4 to -7, 35-50-3-2 to -4 |
| Iowa | For these laws a 'child' is under 14. Any sex act with a child is second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony (up to 25 years), and three or more acts of sexual abuse against the same child over at least 30 days by an adult is continuous sexual abuse of a child, a class B felony with up to 50 years. Lascivious acts with a child by someone 16 or older (sexual touching of a child's genitals or causing a child to touch the person) is a class C felony (up to 10 years); soliciting a child for a sex act or inflicting pain for sexual purposes is a class D felony (up to 5 years). Indecent contact with a child by an adult (sexual touching of other intimate areas, including over clothing) is an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years). Iowa Code §§ 702.5, 709.3, 709.23, 709.8, 709.12 (Iowa Code 2026) |
| Kansas | Sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child under 14 is rape or aggravated criminal sodomy (severity level 1), and lewd fondling or touching of a child under 14 is aggravated indecent liberties with a child (severity level 3); when the offender is 18 or older, each of these is an off-grid person felony, and under 'Jessica's Law' the sentence is life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years (40 years for a repeat offender). With a child aged 14 or 15, sexual intercourse is aggravated indecent liberties (severity level 3), non-consensual lewd touching is severity level 4, and lewd fondling or touching is indecent liberties with a child (severity level 5); sodomy with a 14- or 15-year-old is criminal sodomy (severity level 3). Felony prison ranges come from the sentencing grid, which combines the severity level with criminal history. K.S.A. 21-5503(a)(3), (b)(2), 21-5504, 21-5506, 21-6627 |
| Kentucky | Sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child under 12 is first-degree rape or sodomy, a Class A felony (20 to 50 years or life). An adult who has intercourse with a child under 14 commits second-degree rape, a Class C felony (5 to 10 years), or a Class B felony if the adult holds a position of authority or special trust. Sexual contact with a child under 12, or by a person 21 or older with a child under 16 (including masturbating in a child's presence or over a live video or phone connection with a child under 16), is first-degree sexual abuse: a Class C felony if the child is under 12 and a Class D felony (1 to 5 years) otherwise. Sexual contact by an 18- to 20-year-old with a child under 16 is second-degree sexual abuse, a Class A misdemeanor (up to 12 months), with a close-in-age defense when the child is at least 14. KRS 510.040, 510.050, 510.070, 510.110, 510.120, 532.060, 532.090 |
| Louisiana | Sexual abuse of a child is mainly charged as molestation of a juvenile or indecent behavior with juveniles. Molestation of a juvenile (a lewd act by someone over 17 on a child under 17, more than two years younger, using force, intimidation or a position of control) carries 5 to 10 years and/or a fine up to $5,000 when the child is 13 to 16; 10 to 20 years when the offender has control or supervision over the child; 10 to 40 years for a supervisor such as a coach, youth leader or educator; and 25 to 99 years at hard labor (at least 25 without parole, probation or suspension) when the child is under 13. Indecent behavior with juveniles (a lewd act with a child under 17, sending lewd communications to a child, or grooming a child) carries up to 7 years and/or a fine up to $5,000, and 2 to 25 years at hard labor when the child is under 13 and the offender is 17 or older. Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile (sexual intercourse with consent by someone 17 or older with a 13- to 16-year-old at least four years younger) carries up to 10 years and/or a fine up to $5,000. La. R.S. 14:81.2; R.S. 14:81(H); R.S. 14:80(D) |
| Maine | A sexual act with a child under 14 is Class A gross sexual assault (up to 30 years), with a basic term of at least 20 years when the child is under 12. Sexual touching of a child under 14 by someone at least 3 years older is unlawful sexual contact: Class C (up to 5 years), Class B (up to 10 years) if the child is under 12 or there is penetration, and Class A if the child is under 12 and there is penetration. Sexual abuse of a minor covers a sexual act with a 14- or 15-year-old by someone at least 5 years older (Class D, or Class C if the actor is at least 10 years older or a close relative), and certain acts by school employees with 16- or 17-year-old students. Gross sexual assault by a parent, stepparent or guardian of a child under 18 is Class B. 17-A M.R.S. §§ 253(1)(B)-(C), (2)(H), 253-A(2), 254, 255-A(1)(E)-(F-1) |
| Maryland | Sexual abuse of a minor is a separate felony when committed by a parent or other person with care, custody or supervision of the child, or by a household or family member; it carries up to 25 years and may be sentenced consecutively to the sentence for the underlying sex crime. Sexual acts with children are also prosecuted as rape or sexual offense: second degree rape covers intercourse or a sexual act with a child under 14 by someone at least 4 years older (up to 20 years), and third degree sexual offense covers sexual contact with a child under 14 by someone at least 4 years older (up to 10 years). Sexual contact or sexual acts with a minor student or program participant by a person in a position of authority are fourth degree sexual offense. Md. Code, Crim. Law §§ 3-602, 3-304(a)(3), 3-307(a)(3), 3-308(c) |
| Massachusetts | Rape of a child under 16 by force or threat of bodily injury is punishable by life or any term of years in state prison. Rape and abuse of a child (sexual intercourse with a child under 16, even without force) is punishable by life or any term of years in state prison, or a term in a jail or house of correction. Indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison or 2.5 years in a house of correction, and a child under 14 is deemed unable to consent. Prosecutions for these crimes may not be continued without a finding or placed on file. G.L. c. 265, §§ 22A, 23, 13B |
| Michigan | Sexual abuse of children is charged under the criminal sexual conduct statutes. Sexual penetration of a child under 13, or of a 13- to 15-year-old who is a household member, relative, or under the offender's authority (such as a teacher or child care worker), is first degree CSC, punishable by life or any term of years, with a 25-year minimum when the offender is 17 or older and the child under 13, and life without parole for an adult with a qualifying prior conviction. Sexual contact with a child under 13 (or a 13- to 15-year-old in those relationships) is second degree CSC, up to 15 years, with lifetime electronic monitoring for adult offenders against children under 13. Penetration of a 13- to 15-year-old is third degree CSC (up to 15 years), and sexual contact with a 13- to 15-year-old by someone at least 5 years older is fourth degree CSC (up to 2 years and/or $500). MCL 750.520b(1)(a)-(b), (2); 750.520c(2); 750.520d(1)(a); 750.520e(1)(a) |
| Minnesota | Sexual abuse of a child is charged under the same criminal sexual conduct statutes, which have separate subdivisions for victims under 18. Sexual penetration of a child under 14 by someone more than 36 months older, or of a 14- or 15-year-old by someone more than 36 months older in a position of authority, or of a child under 16 by someone with a significant relationship to the child, is first degree CSC (up to 30 years and/or $40,000); consent and mistake of age are not defenses for victims under 14. The same conduct involving sexual contact rather than penetration is second degree CSC (up to 25 years and/or $35,000). Third and fourth degree CSC cover penetration or contact with 14- and 15-year-olds by someone more than 24 or 36 months older and similar situations (up to 15 and 10 years respectively). Minn. Stat. §§ 609.342, subd. 1a; 609.343, subd. 1a; 609.344, subd. 1a; 609.345, subd. 1a |
| Mississippi | Touching a child for lustful purposes (fondling) is a felony when a person over 18 touches a child under 16 for sexual gratification, or when a person over 18 in a position of trust or authority (such as a teacher, coach, parent, stepparent, guardian or clergy member) does so with a minor under 18; the child's consent is no defense. The penalty is 2 to 15 years in prison, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, or both, and a second conviction carries up to 20 years. Sexual battery (penetration) of a child under 14 by someone at least 24 months older is punishable, for an offender 18 or older, by life imprisonment or a term of not less than 20 years; sexual battery of a child under 18 by a person in a position of trust or authority carries up to 30 years (40 for a repeat offense). Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-5-23, 97-3-95(1)(d), (2), 97-3-101(1), (3) |
| Missouri | Child molestation in the first degree (sexual contact with a child under 14 that is an aggravated sexual offense) is a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life), served without probation or parole if the child is under 12. Child molestation in the second degree (sexual contact with a child under 12, or an aggravated sexual offense by someone more than four years older against a child under 17) is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). Rape or sodomy in the first degree of a child under 12 carries life imprisonment, with no parole for at least 30 years, and sexual abuse in the first degree of a child under 14 is a class B felony. RSMo §§ 566.067, 566.068, 566.030.2(3), 566.060.2(3), 566.100 |
| Montana | Sexual contact without consent with a child under 16 by someone 3 or more years older (sexual assault) is punishable by life imprisonment or 4 to 100 years in prison (a judge may go below 4 years for good cause stated in writing) and a fine of up to $50,000; a child under 14 cannot consent if the offender is 3 or more years older. Sexual intercourse without consent with a child under 16 by someone 4 or more years older carries life or 4 to 100 years. If the victim was 12 or younger and the offender was 18 or older, the sentence is 100 years in prison, with the first 25 years not suspendable and no parole during that time, followed by lifetime supervision and satellite monitoring. MCA §§ 45-5-502(3), (6)(a)(ii), 45-5-503(3)(a), (4) |
| Nebraska | Sexual assault of a child in the first degree (sexual penetration of a child under 12 by a person 19 or older, or of a child 12 to 15 by a person 25 or older) is a Class IB felony (20 years to life) with a mandatory minimum of 15 years, or 25 years for a repeat offender. Sexual contact with a child 14 or younger by a person 19 or older is sexual assault of a child in the second degree, a Class II felony (1 to 50 years), if it causes serious personal injury, and otherwise third degree, a Class IIIA felony (up to 3 years); with a prior sex-assault conviction either becomes a Class IC felony (5 to 50 years), with a 25-year mandatory minimum for the second-degree offense. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-319.01, 28-320.01 |
| Nevada | Sexual assault of a child under 16 is a category A felony: life with parole eligibility after 25 years, after 35 years if the child is under 14, and life without parole if substantial bodily harm results or the offender has a prior sexual offense against a child. Lewdness with a child (a lewd act by an adult with a child under 16, or by a minor with a child under 14) is a category A felony with life imprisonment and parole eligibility after 10 years if the child is under 14, and a category B felony of 1 to 10 years if the child is 14 or 15; either may add a fine of up to $10,000, and a repeat offender gets life without parole. NRS 200.366(3)-(4), 201.230 |
| New Hampshire | Sexual penetration of a child under 13, intentional sexual touching of the genitals of a child under 13, and a pattern of sexual assault against a child under 16 are all aggravated felonious sexual assault, punishable by up to 20 years (40 with a prior conviction). When the offender is 18 or older and the state gives notice, an extended term applies with a presumptive sentence of 25 years to life plus lifetime supervision. Sexual contact with a child under 13, or with a 13- to 17-year-old by someone in a position of authority who is more than 4 years older, is felonious sexual assault, a class B felony (up to 7 years). Penetration of a minor under 18 by a close relative is also aggravated felonious sexual assault. RSA 632-A:2, I(l), II-IV; 632-A:3, III; 632-A:10-a; 651:6, I(m)-(n) |
| New Jersey | Sexual penetration of a child under 13 is aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree crime with a sentence between 25 years and life, of which 25 years must be served before parole (a plea agreement may set no less than 15 years without parole). Penetration of a child 13 to 15 by a relative, a person with supervisory power or a caregiver is also first degree. Sexual contact with a child under 13 by someone at least four years older, and penetration of a child 13 to 15 by someone at least four years older, are sexual assault, a second-degree crime (5-10 years). Endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct that would impair or debauch the child's morals is second degree for a parent or caregiver and third degree (3-5 years) for anyone else. N.J.S. 2C:14-2(a)(1)-(2), (b), (c)(4), (d); N.J.S. 2C:24-4(a)(1); N.J.S. 2C:43-6 |
| New Mexico | Criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13 is a first degree felony (basic sentence 18 years), or life imprisonment when done with intent to kill or depraved mind; CSP of a child 13 to 17 by force or coercion is a second degree felony for a sexual offense against a child (15 years) with a mandatory 3-year minimum that cannot be suspended. Criminal sexual contact of a minor (touching a minor's intimate parts) is a second degree felony for a sexual offense against a child, with the same 3-year mandatory minimum, when it involves unclothed intimate parts of a child under 13, or of a child 13 to 17 by someone in a position of authority who uses it to coerce, by force causing injury, with help from others, or while armed; the same acts without the unclothed element are third degree (6 years). Contact with a child 13 to 17 by force or coercion, or by a school employee or volunteer at least 4 years older, is a fourth degree felony. NMSA 1978, 30-9-11(C)-(E), 30-9-13; NMSA 1978, 31-18-15, 31-19-1 |
| New York | Rape in the first degree includes sexual contact with a child under 11, or under 13 by someone 18 or older (class B felony, up to 25 years). Course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree (repeated sexual acts over at least three months with a child under 11, or under 13 by someone 18 or older) is also a class B felony. Predatory sexual assault against a child (an adult committing first-degree rape, aggravated sexual abuse or first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child under 13) is a class A-II felony, with a maximum of life imprisonment. Sexual abuse in the first degree (sexual contact with a child under 11, or under 13 by someone 21 or older) is a class D felony (up to 7 years). N.Y. Penal Law 130.35, 130.75, 130.96, 130.65; 70.00 |
| North Carolina | Statutory rape of a child by an adult (vaginal intercourse by a person 18 or older with a child under 13) is a Class B1 felony with a mandatory minimum of 300 months (25 years) of active prison time, up to life without parole if extraordinary aggravating factors are found, followed by satellite-based monitoring. Taking indecent liberties with a child (a lewd act, or attempting to take indecent liberties for sexual gratification, by someone at least 16 and at least five years older than a child under 16) is a Class F felony. N.C. Gen. Stat. 14-27.23, 14-202.1; 15A-1340.17 |
| North Dakota | A sexual act with a child under 15 is gross sexual imposition: a class A felony (up to 20 years), or a class AA felony (up to life without parole) if the actor was 22 or older. Sexual contact with a child under 15 is also gross sexual imposition, a class A felony. Continuous sexual abuse of a child (three or more sexual acts or contacts with a child under 15 over three or more months) is a class AA felony if the actor was 22 or older and otherwise a class A felony, and the court may not defer the sentence. Sexual contact with a 15- to 17-year-old by a parent or guardian, or by an adult 22 or older, is a class C felony (up to 5 years). Felony sex offenses carry 5 to 10 years of supervised probation after sentencing or incarceration, and the court may impose lifetime supervised probation for a class AA gross sexual imposition or continuous sexual abuse conviction. N.D.C.C. 12.1-20-03(1)(d), (2)(a), (3); 12.1-20-03.1; 12.1-20-07(1)(e)-(f), (2); 12.1-32-06.1(4); 12.1-32-01 |
| Ohio | Sexual conduct with a child under 13 is rape, a first-degree felony, whether or not the offender knew the child's age; adult offenders are generally sentenced to an indefinite prison term or life imprisonment under the sexually violent predator sentencing law, and the court may impose life without parole if the child was under 10, was seriously harmed, or the offender had a prior child-rape conviction (not for offenders under 18). Gross sexual imposition with a child under 13 (sexual contact, or touching the bare genitals of a child under 12 for sexual purposes) is a third-degree felony with a presumption of prison, and mandatory prison after a prior sex offense against a child under 13. Sexual battery by a parent, stepparent, guardian or similar person in authority is a felony of the second degree with mandatory prison when the victim is 13 to 17. R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b), (B); 2907.05(A)(4), (B), (C)(2); 2907.03(A)(5), (B)(1); 2971.03; 2929.14 |
| Oklahoma | Lewd or indecent acts with a child under 16 (lewd molestation: sexual touching of a child, lewd proposals, exposing the child to sexual acts and similar conduct, where the accused is at least 3 years older or uses force or fear) is a felony punishable by 3 to 20 years. Child sexual abuse by a person responsible for the child's health, safety or welfare is a Class A3 felony punishable by up to life (or up to 1 year in county jail and a $500 to $5,000 fine); if the child is under 12 it is a Class A1 felony with 25 years to life. Child sexual exploitation carries the same ranges. A second lewd-molestation conviction bars probation, and a third listed sex conviction carries life or life without parole. Oklahoma's official code shows two different 2025 versions of some of these sections, so the penalty that applies to a specific case should be checked against the current statute. 21 O.S. §§ 1123(A), 843.5(E), (F), (H), (I) |
| Oregon | Rape, sodomy or unlawful sexual penetration of a child under 12 is first-degree (Class A felony, up to 20 years), with a 300-month (25-year) mandatory minimum for offenders 18 or older. Rape, sodomy or unlawful sexual penetration of a child under 14 is second-degree (Class B felony, up to 10 years) with a 75-month mandatory minimum, and the same acts with a child under 16 are third-degree (Class C felony, up to 5 years). Sexual contact with a child under 14 is first-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony with a 75-month mandatory minimum. First-degree rape or sodomy also covers a victim under 16 who is the offender's sibling, child or stepchild. ORS 163.375, 163.365, 163.355, 163.405, 163.395, 163.385, 163.411, 163.408, 163.427; 137.700(2)(a)(L), (N), (P), (Q), (2)(b)(D)-(F) |
| Pennsylvania | Rape of a child (sexual intercourse with a child under 13) and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child under 13 are first-degree felonies with a maximum of 40 years; if the child suffers serious bodily injury, the maximum is life imprisonment. Aggravated indecent assault of a child under 13 (penetration with a body part or object under listed circumstances) is a felony of the first degree (up to 20 years). Indecent assault (sexual touching) of a child under 13 is a misdemeanor of the first degree, raised to a felony of the third degree (up to 7 years) for a repeat offense, a course of conduct, or contact with sexual or intimate parts. 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 3121(c), (d), (e), 3123(b)-(d), 3125(b), (c)(2), 3126(a)(7), (b)(3) |
| Rhode Island | First-degree child molestation sexual assault (sexual penetration with a child 14 or under) carries at least 25 years and up to life in prison. Second-degree child molestation sexual assault (sexual contact with a child 14 or under) carries 6 to 30 years. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-37-8.1, 11-37-8.2, 11-37-8.3, 11-37-8.4 |
| South Carolina | Criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree (sexual battery with a child under 11, or with a child under 16 by a person with certain prior sex-offense convictions or registry orders) carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years, which cannot be suspended or replaced with probation, up to life; the under-16 repeat-offender version carries 10 to 30 years, and death is possible in certain repeat cases. Second-degree CSC with a minor (sexual battery with a child 11 to 14, or with a child 14 or 15 by a person in a position of familial, custodial or official authority, or who is older than the victim) is a felony with up to 20 years. Third-degree CSC with a minor (a person over 14 committing a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 16 for sexual gratification) is a felony with up to 15 years, a fine, or both. S.C. Code § 16-3-655 |
| South Dakota | Sexual penetration of a child under 13 is first-degree rape, a Class C felony punishable by up to life, with a 15-year mandatory minimum for an adult's first offense. Sexual contact with a child under 16 by a person 16 or older is a Class 3 felony (up to 15 years), with a 10-year mandatory minimum for an adult when the child is under 13; it is a Class 1 misdemeanor if the child is at least 13 and the actor is less than five years older. The court may depart from the mandatory minimums only by finding mitigating circumstances in writing. SDCL 22-22-1(1), 22-22-1.2, 22-22-1.4, 22-22-7 |
| Tennessee | Rape of a child (sexual penetration of a child more than 8 but less than 13 years old) is a Class A felony; an adult offender must be sentenced to death, life without parole or life imprisonment, and a juvenile offender is sentenced at least in Range II. Aggravated rape of a child (a child 8 or younger) is a Class A felony punished by death or life without parole for an adult, and in Range III for a juvenile offender. Sexual contact with a child under 13 is aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony (8 to 30 years), sentenced at least in Range II. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-13-522, 39-13-531, 39-13-504; § 40-35-111 |
| Texas | Aggravated sexual assault of a child (sexual penetration or contact of the sexual organs with a child under 14) is a first-degree felony (5 to 99 years or life), with a 25-year minimum if the child is under 10, or under 14 and the offense involved serious injury, threats, a weapon or similar aggravating factors. Continuous sexual abuse of a young child (two or more acts of sexual abuse over 30 or more days by someone 17 or older against a child under 14) is a first-degree felony punishable by 25 to 99 years or life. Indecency with a child under 17 is a second-degree felony (2 to 20 years) for sexual contact and a third-degree felony (2 to 10 years) for indecent exposure to the child. Tex. Penal Code §§ 22.021(a)(1)(B), (a)(2)(B), (e), (f); 21.02; 21.11; §§ 12.32-12.34 |
| Utah | Rape of a child (sexual intercourse, including skin-to-skin genital contact, with a child under 14) is a first-degree felony punishable by 25 years to life, or life without parole if the defendant caused serious bodily injury or has a prior grievous sexual offense; object rape of a child and sodomy on a child are similar first-degree felonies. Sexual abuse of a child (sexual touching of a child under 14 short of those offenses) is a second-degree felony (1 to 15 years). Aggravated sexual abuse of a child (the same touching with force, a weapon, injury, a position of special trust, a prior sex offense, multiple victims or other listed factors) is a first-degree felony punishable by 15 years to life, or life without parole in some cases. Prison terms for these offenses are mandatory. Utah Code §§ 76-5-402.1, 76-5-402.3, 76-5-403.1, 76-5-404.1, 76-5-404.3; § 76-3-203 |
| Vermont | Aggravated sexual assault of a child (an adult's sexual assault of a child under 16 with serious injury, help from others, kidnapping, a weapon, threats, deadly force, repeated acts or a prior sexual assault conviction) carries 25 years to life with at least 25 years to serve and no early release, plus a fine of up to $50,000. An adult's sexual assault of a child under 13 is aggravated sexual assault (10 years to life). Sexual assault of a child under 18 entrusted to the actor's care or who is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child or stepchild carries 3 years to life. Lewd or lascivious conduct with a child under 16 carries 2 to 15 years for a first offense, 5 years to life for a second and 10 years to life for a third. 13 V.S.A. §§ 3253a, 3253(a)(8), 3252(d), (e), 2602 |
| Virginia | Rape of a child under 13 carries 5 years to life, and mandatory life in prison when the indictment alleges the offender was 18 or older; if the sentence is less than life (for an offender more than 3 years older), the judge must add a suspended sentence of at least 40 years. Forcible sodomy and object sexual penetration also carry 5 years to life. Sexual abuse of a child under 13, or by a parent, step-parent or grandparent of a child 13 to 17, is aggravated sexual battery (1 to 20 years and up to $100,000). Taking indecent liberties with a child under 15 by someone 18 or older (such as exposure or proposing sexual acts) is a Class 5 felony (1 to 10 years), Class 4 (2 to 10 years) for a repeat offense; indecent liberties by a parent, step-parent or grandparent is a Class 5 felony if the child is 15 to 17 and a Class 4 felony if under 15. Va. Code §§ 18.2-61(A)(iii), (B), 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, 18.2-67.3, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.1; § 18.2-10 |
| Washington | Rape of a child in the first degree (intercourse with a child under 12 by someone at least 2 years older) and second degree (a child 12 or 13, by someone at least 3 years older) are class A felonies (up to life), sentenced with a minimum term and a life maximum for adults; a predatory finding raises the minimum to at least 25 years. Third degree (a child 14 or 15, by someone at least 4 years older) is a class C felony (up to 5 years). Child molestation (sexual contact) is a class A felony for a child under 12, class B (up to 10 years) for a child 12 or 13, and class C for a child 14 or 15, with similar age-gap requirements. RCW 9A.44.073, 9A.44.076, 9A.44.079, 9A.44.083, 9A.44.086, 9A.44.089, 9.94A.507; RCW 9A.20.021 |
| West Virginia | Sexual intercourse or intrusion by a person 14 or older with a child under 12 is first-degree sexual assault: 15 to 35 years, or 25 to 100 years and a $5,000 to $25,000 fine when the offender is 18 or older. Sexual contact by a person 14 or older with a child under 12 is first-degree sexual abuse: 1 to 5 years, or 5 to 25 years when the offender is an adult. Sexual contact with a child under 16 (where the defendant is 16 or older and at least four years older) is third-degree sexual abuse, a felony of 1 to 3 years. Separately, a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust who engages in sexual exploitation, intercourse, intrusion or contact with a child in their care commits a felony punishable by 20 to 40 years (with an optional $1,000 to $10,000 fine), even if the child 'willingly participated'; knowingly procuring another person to do so is 10 to 30 years if the child is under 16 (2 to 10 years if 16 or older). W. Va. Code §§ 61-8B-3, 61-8B-7, 61-8B-9, 61-8D-5 |
| Wisconsin | First-degree sexual assault of a child covers sexual contact or intercourse with a child under 13 that causes great bodily harm (Class A felony: life imprisonment); intercourse with a child under 12, sexual contact or intercourse with a child under 13, or intercourse with a child under 16 by force (Class B felony: up to 60 years); and forcible sexual contact by an adult with a child under 16 (Class B felony). Certain first-degree offenses carry a mandatory minimum of 25 years of initial confinement, or 5 years for adult forcible contact, for offenders 18 or older. Second-degree sexual assault of a child (sexual contact or intercourse with a child under 16) is a Class C felony: up to 40 years and/or $100,000. Committing three or more such assaults on the same child within a specified period is a separate offense (Class A to C felony), and a person responsible for a child's welfare who knowingly fails to act to prevent the abuse commits a Class F felony (up to 12 years 6 months). Wis. Stat. §§ 948.02, 948.025, 939.616, 939.50(3) |
| Wyoming | Wyoming calls this 'sexual abuse of a minor.' First degree (sexual intrusion by someone 16 or older on a child under 13, or by an adult guardian, relative or person in a position of authority on a minor under 18 or under 16) is a felony punishable by up to 50 years, or 25 to 50 years if the offender is 21 or older and the child is under 13. Second degree (for example, intrusion by someone 17 or older on a 13- to 15-year-old at least four years younger, or sexual contact by someone 16 or older with a child under 13) is a felony punishable by up to 20 years. Third degree (including sexual contact by someone 17 or older with a 13- to 15-year-old at least four years younger, or taking indecent liberties with a minor under 17) carries up to 15 years, and fourth degree up to 5 years. An adult with a prior qualifying sex-offense conviction who commits first- or second-degree abuse faces life without parole. W.S. 6-2-314, 6-2-315, 6-2-316, 6-2-317, 6-2-306(e) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.