What is the test for sexual assault under section 288(a) of the California Penal Code?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Morse, C086129 (Cal. App. 2019):

Penal Code section 288(a) has two elements: (a) the touching of an underage child's body (b) with a sexual intent. (People v. Martinez (1995) 11 Cal.4th 434, 444.) "However, the form, manner, or nature of the offending act is not otherwise restricted. Conviction under the statute has never depended upon contact with the bare skin or 'private parts' of the defendant or the victim." (Ibid.) That is, "a lewd or lascivious act can occur through the victim's clothing and can involve 'any part' of the victim's body." (Ibid.) Any touching of an underage child committed for purpose of sexual arousal is "lewd or lascivious," and satisfies the statutory requirement. (Id. at pp. 444-446, 452.)

Other Questions


What constitutes sexual abuse, sexual assault and sexual exploitation under section 11165.1 of the California Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
For the purposes of section 1108.2(1) of the California Criminal Code, is there any constitutional error in a trial court's decision to instruct the jury in a sexual assault case to consider the use of sexual assault evidence admitted under Section 1108? (California, United States of America)
Does section 654 of the California Penal Code allow for an act or omission that is punishable by different sections of the Penal Code to be punished by one or more sections? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be found to have committed a single physical act for purposes of section 654 of the California Criminal Code, Section 215 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Section 422 of the Criminal Code for carjacking? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a sexual assault conviction under section 288 of Section 288 of the California Code of Criminal Code when a defendant pulls the victim's head forward to perform oral sex acts? (California, United States of America)
How has section 490.2 of the California Penal Code been interpreted in the context of Section 487 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
What is the effect of section 633.5 of the California Penal Code on a phone recording pursuant to section 632 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be convicted of a lesser included crime of the same crime under both sections of the California Penal Code and Section 654 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
Does section 1093 of the California Penal Code, Section 1093, give rise to the doctrine of common law in the context of sexual assault? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant who has been given a life sentence for an assault with intent to murder be convicted of the crime under section 12022(a) of the Penal Code section 120 22(b) and section 5.5 of the Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.