The purpose of this statute is to prevent both private or public sexual conduct that might give offense to persons present.
The term “unnatural and lascivious act” includes:
- anal intercourse
- fellatio, or oral sex involving contact between the mouth of one person and the penis of another
- cunnilingus, or oral sex involving contact between the mouth of one person and the female sex organs – the vagina, vulva or labia of another person
- masturbation of another person
- or any other intrusion of a part of one person’s body or some other object into the genital or anal opening of another person’s body
Under Massachusetts criminal law, the crime of Unnatural or Lascivious Acts with Children Under Sixteen is a felony sex offense and may be found at Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 272, Section 35A.
Legal Elements of Unnatural or Lascivious Acts with Child Under Sixteen
Table of Contents
In order to be found guilty of Unnatural or Lascivious Acts with Children Under Sixteen under Massachusetts criminal law, there must be strong evidence of the following legal elements:
- that the child was under the age of 16
- that the defendant did commit an unnatural and lascivious act with that child
- that the defendant committed that act intentionally
- the sexual act was done in a private or public place
Potential Punishment in Massachusetts if Convicted of Unnatural or Lascivious Acts with Child Under Sixteen
The potential consequences for Indecent Unnatural or Lascivious Acts with Children Under Sixteen, if convicted, in the Commonwealth may be found at Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 272, Section 35A.
A defendant convicted of Unnatural or Lascivious Acts with Children Under Sixteen shall be sentenced to a term in state prison that does not exceed five years, or in a jail or house of corrections for not more than 2 ½ years.
Because Unnatural or Lascivious Acts with Children Under Sixteen is a sex offense, convicted offenders must also comply with statutory sex offender registration and treatment requirements.
If you or a loved one have been charged with this type of criminal offense in Massachusetts call (508) 213-9113 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney experienced with Indecent Unnatural or Lascivious Acts in Massachusetts.
