Indecent Exposure Charges
Orange County Sex Crime Attorney
Indecent exposure is a misdemeanor
sex crime found under
California Penal Code § 314. It is defined as willfully and lewdly exposing one's person/private
parts in any public place, or in a place where anyone else present could
be offended or annoyed. This includes having someone do so or encouraging
them to do so. As a misdemeanor sex crime, indecent exposure is not nearly
as serious as a felony sex crime such as
sexual battery or
statutory rape. Even so, the penalties can have a lasting effect on your quality of life.
The penalties for a conviction of indecent exposure include a fine of up
to $1,000 and a possible jail sentence of up to 6 months. However, anyone
who is charged with a sex offense, even one as "minor" as indecent
exposure, will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest
of their life. They must provide their name and address so that their
location and conviction is available for public view at all times. This
will appear in any background check and will have a serious, detrimental
effect on the person's ability to get a job, acquire housing, or apply
for a loan of any kind.
Aggravated Cases of Indecent Exposure
The crime for indecent exposure can become aggravated if it is a repeat
offense, or if it is committed in conjunction with trespassing. Any second
or subsequent indecent exposure conviction will be charged and convicted
as a felony offense and could result in a state prison sentence. If the
alleged offender is found guilty of entering someone's home or trailer
before committing the act, it is also a felony with serious criminal consequences.
Felonies are far more serious than misdemeanors, so do not take chances
if you have been arrested for a repeat or aggravated offense of indecent exposure.
The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman Can Help
Sex crime charges are some of the most serious and damaging criminal charges
a person can face. Even if your charges are dropped or your case is dismissed,
your arrest and charge will still appear in a background check. Many employers
don't care that you were not convicted and will refuse to hire you.
Your reputation could be permanently damaged by an arrest or a conviction
unless you hire a skilled Orange County
criminal defense attorney to fight your case. That is why you should not hesitate to call
The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman. The firm has successfully handled
numerous sex crime cases and has practiced criminal defense in Orange
County for more than 30 years. Contact their offices at your earliest
convenience to take advantage of a
free case evaluation and find out what they can do to defend you from charges of indecent exposure.