Which offense is a misdemeanor (Class A) for subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion who is incapable of consent by reason of some factor other than being less than 16, or when the actor is 19 or older and the victim is between 12 and 16?

• A. Sexual Misconduct
• B. Sexual Abuse (2nd Degree)
• C. Indecent Exposure
• D. Misdemeanor (Class A)

Answer: (D)

Age and consent determine how serious a sexual offense is punished. When someone is subjected to sexual contact by forcible compulsion and the person cannot consent for a reason other than age under 16, or when the actor is 19 or older and the victim is between 12 and 16, the statute in this jurisdiction classifies that conduct as a Class A misdemeanor. That means the charged offense falls into the highest level of misdemeanor, but not a felony, under these elements. The other options involve different conduct or different element combinations (for example, indecent exposure is not about forcible sexual contact; sexual misconduct and sexual abuse (2nd degree) carry different element sets and thresholds), so they do not match the described scenario and its specific statutory grading.