Conn. Gen. Stat. 53a‑72a – Sexual Assault in the Third Degree

Connecticut General Statutes 53a‑72a explained for non lawyers

1. What the law prohibits

Under this statute, you commit sexual assault in the third degree if you:

1. Use force or threaten force to make someone submit to sexual contact, causing them to fear immediate injury—even to another person;
2. Have sexual contact with someone who is so mentally incapacitated or impaired by mental illness that they cannot consent; or
3. Engage in sexual intercourse with someone you know is a close relative, that is related within the degrees set by law (§ 46b‑21).

2. What the penalties are if someone is convicted

• It is a Class D felony by default:
  • Up to 5 years in prison
• If the victim is under 16, it becomes a Class C felony:
  • Up to 10 years in prison

3. What the state has to prove to convict someone (Elements of the offense)

To win a conviction, the prosecution must establish each of the following beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. There was sexual contact or intercourse, as defined in § 53a‑65;
2. One of the three listed conditions applied:
   • Force or threats causing fear,
   • Victim mentally unable to consent,
   • Sexual act with a close relative known to the actor; 
   • If the victim is under 16, the charge must be elevated from Class D to Class C felony.

For the actual statute, you can visit Justia which has the actual law on its website.

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