In third-degree criminal sexual conduct, what is a requirement regarding the victim's age?

In third-degree criminal sexual conduct, one of the key elements relates to the age of the victim. For this specific charge, the law stipulates that the victim must be at least 13 years old but less than 16 years old. This age range is critical because it reflects the legal recognition that individuals in these ages are particularly vulnerable and unable to give informed consent to sexual acts with significantly older individuals.

Third-degree criminal sexual conduct typically involves cases where the victim falls within this age group and the accused is at least 21 years old, or where there is any coercion used, regardless of the victim's age. This legal framework aims to protect minors from exploitation and is designed to safeguard their welfare in situations where there may be a power imbalance. Therefore, the requirement regarding the victim's age in this context is specifically that they must be 13, 14, or 15 years old.