California Indecent Exposure

Palo Alto Criminal Defense Attorneys

When you hear the term indecent exposure, you may imagine trench coated flashers startling unsuspecting women in the park.  But if you expose your genitals in public—for any reason—you may be charged with indecent exposure.  If you are caught masturbating on a public beach or even a darkened movie theater, you can find yourself facing serious legal consequences.  Even though there are distinct differences between indecent exposure and lewd conduct, not everyone is aware of these differences.  As such, you can find yourself facing more serious charges of indecent exposure—even when you are not guilty of committing this offense.  If you are convicted of California indecent exposure, you will be forced to register as a sex offender for the remainder of your life.

California Indecent Exposure—Its the Law

According to California Penal Code 314 PC, you can be convicted of indecent exposure if you are found guilty of ALL the following:

• You intentionally exposed your genitals
• You exposed your genitals in a public area where people were likely to be offended
• You exposed your genitals with the intent to draw attention to your genitals for the purpose of sexual arousal

Under California law, you would not be guilty of indecent exposure if you accidentally exposed yourself or if you did not intend to draw attention to your genitals.

For example: A person who is sunbathing nude on a deserted beach would not be found guilty of indecent exposure. Someone who purposefully masturbates on a crowded beach, however, would be.

California Indecent Exposure—the Penalties

In general, the majority of indecent exposure charges are considered misdemeanors. However, if you are a repeat offender or you exposed yourself in a residence or building you entered without permission, you can be charged with felony indecent exposure.

Misdemeanor Indecent Exposure Penalties

• Maximum 6 months in a county jail
• $1000 fine maximum
• Lifetime registration as a sex offender

Felony Indecent Exposure Penalties

• 16 months, 2 or 3 years imprisonment in the California State Prison
• $10,000 fines maximum
• Lifetime registration as a sex offender

California Indecent Exposure—Possible Defenses

The key to building a solid defense against indecent exposure, is to attack the prosecution's case from every angle.  The experienced California criminal defense attorneys at Ahmed & Sukaram will challenge that the incident of indecent exposure actually occurred in public.  If you were on a public beach, for example, but had yourself sheltered from the crowd, your California defense attorney could argue that you were not trying to expose yourself to the public.  An aggressive defense would also be quick to point out if part of your genitals were clothed or if no one was actually around for you to offend.  If the attorneys at Ahmed & Sukaram can negate just one element of the offense of California's indecent exposure law, then you cannot be convicted.

Innocent people are charged with sex crimes every year.  During the incident, shocked victims may not get a clear look at the perpetrator's face—leading to cases of mistaken identity every year.  A skilled and aggressive California defense attorney will be able to present these defenses on your behalf—in order to reduce your indecent exposure charges and limit the penalties you face in the future.

Sex crimes carry extreme and lifelong consequences with them.  As such, you need the veteran California defense attorneys at Ahmed & Sukaram to fight for your rights. The criminal defense lawyers at Ahmed & Sukaram will always aim to have your indecent exposure charges reduced.  If you are facing charges of indecent exposure, your future and your reputation are at stake.  You deserve a California defense attorney who will fight these dangerous allegations of indecent exposure and protect your future. 

For more information about California indecent exposure defense, Ahmed & Sukaram criminal defense lawyers, felonies, misdemeanors, your rights, or for answers to general questions, please contact us.