What circumstance would elevate a sexual assault charge to Felonious Sexual Assault?

The circumstance that elevates a sexual assault charge to Felonious Sexual Assault is sexual contact with a person under 13. This is primarily due to legal definitions and the understanding that individuals under a certain age cannot legally provide consent for sexual activities. As a result, any sexual contact with minors, particularly very young ones, is treated with the utmost severity to protect vulnerable populations. The law aims to safeguard children from exploitation and abuse, qualifying such actions as felonious offenses, which carry more serious penalties than other forms of sexual assault.

Minor injuries to the victim, inappropriate touching, and consent from the victim do not encapsulate the same level of gravity as sexual contact with a child under 13. While all these situations may warrant legal action, the presence of a minor intensifies the implications and severity of the crime, making it a felonious act under criminal law.