Sexual Assault Benchbook
©2002-2008

All updates issued since this benchbook's last publication date have been integrated into the content of the benchbook. The benchbook is in PDF format and is fully searchable using Adobe Acrobat's search features. Future updates to this benchbook will be formatted according to the content and page numbers appearing in this version of the benchbook.

NOTE: This benchbook does not represent a wholesale revision of its content. It is a cumulative version of the benchbook and the updates issued for it through September 30, 2008. Indexes and other special sections are not included.

This book is available in pdf format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. Scroll down for links.

MJI’s Sexual Assault Benchbook provides information about:

• Michigan’s criminal sexual conduct offenses (and other related offenses), including applicable defenses.

• Research findings and statistics on sexual assault, its victims and its offenders.

• Community agencies and resources that assist victims of sexual assault.

• Special courtroom procedures that protect the rights of victims, witnesses, and defendants.

• Evidentiary matters, including discussion of Michigan’s rape shield law, sexual assault evidence collection kits, privileges, polygraph tests, selected hearsay rules, DNA testing and admissibility, and other selected matters.

• Communicable disease testing, and post-conviction requests for DNA testing, expungement of convictions, and destruction of fingerprints, arrest card, and description.

• Identification and profiling systems for sex offenders, including discussion of Michigan’s Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA), its "sexually motivated crime" filing system, the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the DNA identification profiling system, and statutes governing the retention of a sex offender’s fingerprints, arrest card, and description.

• Civil remedies for sexual assault victims, including discussion of the Crime Victim Services Commission.

  • Table of Contents

  • Chap. 1: Understanding Sexual Violence

  • Chap. 2: The Criminal Sexual Conduct Act

  • Chap. 3: Other Related Offenses

  • Chap. 4: Defenses to Sexual Assault Crimes

  • Chap. 5: Bond and Discovery

  • Chap. 6: Specialized Procedures Governing Preliminary Examinations and Trials

  • Chap. 7: General Evidence

  • Chap. 8: Scientific Evidence

  • Chap. 9: Post-Conviction and Sentencing Matters

  • Chap. 10: Other Remedies for Victims of Sexual Assault

  • Chap. 11: Sex Offender Identification and Profiling Systems

To view all of our Publications updates, visit our Updates page.

Contact MJI. Trouble with the site? Visit Tips Page.