What differentiates third degree criminal sexual conduct from other degrees?

The correct answer highlights that third degree criminal sexual conduct involves engaging in sexual penetration with individuals who fall under specific age conditions. This typically includes scenarios where the victim is a minor, and the offender is of a certain age, creating a legal distinction from other degrees of criminal sexual conduct.

In the context of Minnesota law, third degree criminal sexual conduct does not require that force or coercion be used, which differentiates it from other degrees that may include such elements. It focuses primarily on the age of the victim and the nature of the conduct rather than the presence of force or the age of the offender. This can involve situations where the minor is below a certain age and the perpetrator is older, reinforcing the law's protective stance toward vulnerable individuals.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for recognizing how legal definitions are framed around the age of victims and the nature of sexual conduct, leading to different degrees of criminality depending on those factors.