Indecent Exposure Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles
Charged With Indecent Exposure in Los Angeles?
Indecent exposure is, in essence, the act of exposing the genitals in a public manner that could offend or annoy others, or after entering a private home and performing the act of exposing the genitals. The act must be proven to have a sexual motivation.
Indecent Exposure Charges in Los Angeles – What is the Crime?
For the prosecuting attorney to successful convict a person accused of this crime, several facts must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The act had a sexual purpose.
- The act involved touching the genitals, or another person’s genitals, buttocks, or breasts in a public manner that could be seen by others or took place in a private home or inhabited building.
- The intent was to direct the attention of others to your genitals for sexual gratification or was intended to offend another person.
California Law and Indecent Exposure
Indecent exposure is defined under the California Penal Code 314 as follows:
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“Every person who willfully and lewdly, either:
- Exposes his person, or the private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where there are present other persons to be offended or annoyed thereby; or,
- Procures, counsels, or assists any person so to expose himself or take part in any model artist exhibition, or to make any other exhibition of himself to public view, or the view of any number of persons, such as is offensive to decency, or is adapted to excite to vicious or lewd thoughts or acts, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
What Are Penalties for Indecent Exposure?
Indecent exposure charges may be filed as either a misdemeanor or felony. The penalties for misdemeanor indecent exposure can include up to six months in county jail, along with fines up to $1,000. A felony conviction for indecent exposure can have heavy consequences, including three years of incarceration and fines up to $10,000. In either case, a conviction may include the requirement to register as a sex offender. For a misdemeanor conviction you may be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years. If you are accused of this offense, it is not a minor legal problem, and the actions you take after an arrest can make the difference between freedom and a future changed forever.
Felony Indecent Exposure
A felony indecent exposure charge after a prior conviction for the offense may be filed as a felony. Under California Penal Code Section 288, when an act of indecent exposure involves a child under age 15, that involves the intent to arouse, appeal to, gratify lust, passion, or sexual desires of the accused or the child, felony charges will be filed, with penalties of three, six, or eight years in state prison.
After an Arrest for Indecent Exposure
If you have been arrested and charged with indecent exposure, it is a frightening and humiliating experience. Your first action should be to engage legal representation from a sex crime defense lawyer who has an extensive record of positive case outcomes. The quality, experience, and talents of your attorney are a critical point in what happens next. The earlier Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP gets involved, the better it could be for you. Efforts to have the case dismissed, charges reduced, or other strategy could save you from experiencing a legal nightmare and facing severe consequences.
When you are represented by our firm, our entire legal team is behind you. Rather than having a single attorney, you have a team of legal professionals that have your back, ready to fight for your defense.
Our team at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP is proud to have achieved many stunning victories in challenging sex crime cases. We invite you to call us for a free initial case consultation at (213) 688-0460.
Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP Today
Phone: (213) 688-0460 
Fax: (213) 624-1942
Recent Case Results
- Complete Dismissal of Molestation Charges
Attorney Mark Werksman’s 29 year old client was falsely accused of molesting two neighborhood children and was subsequently charged with felony child molestation, with a significant prison sentence hanging over his head should he be convicted. Instead, at the preliminary hearing Werksman was able to convince the court to grant his client a complete dismissal of any charges. - Decision Set Aside
Client, a college student in a faulty Title IX case, was awarded $130,000 in attorney fees. - Probation with No Jail Time for Drug Money Laundering Charge
Wilmington man accused in New York federal court of laundering drug money through the sale of laptop computers. Mark was able to get the case transferred to federal court in Los Angeles, where he convinced the United States Attorney to reduce the charges. His client was sentenced to probation with no jail time on a misdemeanor conviction.
