What characterizes aggravated criminal sexual assault?

Aggravated criminal sexual assault is characterized by the presence of more severe elements compared to standard sexual assault cases. The correct answer highlights that such offenses often involve the use of a weapon or the threat of substantial bodily harm to the victim. This escalates the severity of the crime and reflects an intention to cause not only emotional distress but also physical danger, which the legal system recognizes as particularly egregious behavior.

In the context of the other options: consent does not pertain to aggravated sexual assault; rather, consent implies that the act is not considered assault at all. False accusations may be serious, but they do not define the nature of aggravated sexual assault. Lastly, cases of assault without any physical harm would not typically fall under aggravated criminal sexual assault, as this classification requires some element of threat or actual harm to elevate the crime category.