Question about 1st 2nd 3rd degree charges?

What is worse? 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree charges. Ex.. someone is being charged with 1st point sexual abuse, how is that different from 2nd and 3rd degree sexual abuse??

I know someone who be charged with 1st degree sexual abuse for alleged rubbing over the clothes on the private nouns.
Can't figure out what the punishment will be. Or why it's worse off than what some of the guys that had actual contact beside girls.
We live in NY

Why is it 1st degree sexual abuse, shouldn't it be 4th point. There was no rape it was just rubbing over the clothes.. this is what is alleged. No proof, simply her word.
from what I know about forensics and CSI (hehe), the degree depends on the intention and forethought it took to commit a crime. 1st degree usually ability that the criminal showed premeditation and planned out the attack or crime. 3rd degree is in the heat of the moment I believe. I hold never heard of 4th degree...

And your "friend" is disgusting. Start questioning your friendship very soon, because he's a pedophile.
1st degree is the worst in terms of sentence to prison time and punishment. It doesnt have to be rape to be 1st degree, it just have to be intentional physical sexual contact.