Penal Code 243.4 PC "sexual battery" prohibits touching the intimate part of another for sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.53 The difference between this law and Penal Code 288 "lewd acts with a minor" is that "sexual battery" makes no mention of the victim's age.
A "sexual battery" charge under Penal Code 243.4 may be filed as either a misdemeanor or as a felony.
True. But if the incident is reported after a year has passed, the misdemeanor cannot be filed. It must be filed as a felony, then perhaps later it can be reduced to a misdemeanor.