16-6-4
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16-6-4.
(a)
A person commits the offense of child molestation when he or she does any
immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of or with any child under the age
of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either
the child or the person.
(b)(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person convicted of a
first offense of child molestation shall be punished by imprisonment for not
less than five nor more than 20 years and shall be subject to the sentencing and
punishment provisions of Code Sections 17-10-6.2 and 17-10-7. Upon a defendant
being incarcerated on a conviction for a first offense, the Department of
Corrections shall provide counseling to such defendant. Except as provided in
paragraph (2) of this subsection, upon a second or subsequent conviction of an
offense of child molestation, the defendant shall be punished by imprisonment
for not less than ten years nor more than 30 years or by imprisonment for life
and shall be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code
Sections 17-10-6.2 and 17-10-7; provided, however, that prior to trial, a
defendant shall be given notice, in writing, that the state intends to seek a
punishment of life imprisonment.
(2)
If the victim is at least 14 but less than 16 years of age and the person
convicted of child molestation is 18 years of age or younger and is no more than
four years older than the victim, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and shall not be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code
Section 17-10-6.2.
(c)
A person commits the offense of aggravated child molestation when such person
commits an offense of child molestation which act physically injures the child
or involves an act of sodomy.
(d)(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person convicted of
the offense of aggravated child molestation shall be punished by imprisonment
for life or by a split sentence that is a term of imprisonment for not less than
25 years and not exceeding life imprisonment, followed by probation for life,
and shall be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code
Sections 17-10-6.1 and 17-10-7.
(2)
A person convicted of the offense of aggravated child molestation when:
(A)
The victim is at least 13 but less than 16 years of age;
(B)
The person convicted of aggravated child molestation is 18 years of age or
younger and is no more than four years older than the victim; and
(C)
The basis of the charge of aggravated child molestation involves an act of
sodomy
shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall not be subject to the sentencing and
punishment provisions of Code Section 17-10-6.1.