What Is Indecent Exposure?
Under California Penal Code 314, indecent exposure is defined as consciously and willfully exposing your genitals to anyone with the intent of offending the other person or for your own sexual gratification.
What Are The Consequences For Indecent Exposure?
Indecent exposure is a serious sex crime. For first time offenders, being convicted of indecent exposure can lead to a fine up to $1,000, and a jail sentence for up to six months. If you are convicted of indecent exposure a second time, you may be sentenced to a California prison.
Because indecent exposure is a sex crime, if convicted, you will be required to register as a sex offender. Being a registered sex offender will negatively affect your life in more ways than one. Fines can be paid, but being a registered sex offender has serious implications. If you are accused of indecent exposure or any other sex crimes, make sure you call an experienced criminal defense attorney to help protect your rights.
Common Defenses Against Indecent Exposure?
To be convicted of indecent exposure, intent must be proven. Below are some common defenses against indecent exposures allegations:
- Artistic expression (protected under the first amendment)
- Accidently exposing yourself
- No intent to offend
- No knowledge anyone was watching
- You didn’t actually expose yourself
Local Stories of Indecent Exposure
A man was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in Fallbrook. The man in question has been accused of masturbating in his vehicle in a parking lot. A woman witnessed the event and wrote down the license plate number and called the police. The man is already a registered sex offender and has been booked into a Vista jail. The full story can be read here.