Indecent exposure charges can follow incidents where a person’s genitals are exposed in view of others. Masturbating in public or showing your private parts to satisfy sexual desire is unlawful throughout Douglas County, Colorado. Intent and location tend to be large determining factors when it comes to cases of exposing oneself. With jail time, fines, and sex offender registration looming as penalties, consulting an experienced attorney is crucial. Below we discuss indecent exposure in further detail and provide how we can help you with your case starting today.
What’s Indecent Exposure in Douglas County?
Douglas County’s indecent exposure law prohibits showing genitals in specific locations and with certain intent. CRS 18-7-302 addresses the specific violations throughout Colorado. You commit indecent exposure in Castle Rock, Parker, or Highlands Ranch if you:
- knowingly expose your genitals,
- in view of another,
- in a situation likely to cause affront or alarm,
- AND intending to satisfy someone’s sexual desire
Pranks that result in genital exposure like pulling someone’s pants down aren’t typically treated as indecent exposure. Additionally, privately skinny dipping in your backyard pool may not be considered indecent exposure because you didn’t know your genitals would be viewed and you perhaps weren’t intending to satisfying anyone’s desire.
Is Indecent Exposure a Misdemeanor in Colorado?
As a first-time offense, indecent exposure is a class 1 misdemeanor throughout Colorado. A conviction can lead to:
- up to 18 months in county jail,
- a maximum fine of $5,000,
- sex offender registration
Those required to register as a sex offender in Colorado must provide local law enforcement with a great deal of personal information that MUST be accurate and up-to-date. With two prior convictions of indecent exposure or similar offenses, the crime becomes a class 6 felony.
Douglas County’s Top Defense Attorneys
We have decades of combined experience representing those facing indecent exposure charges in Colorado. Perhaps your genitals were never in view of another, it was an accident, or you’re facing a false accusation. Defendants should exercise caution in these situations and not talk with police or provide statements. Instead, contact our office for a free, confidential consultation. Our competitive fees and flexible payment plans make securing a strategic defense attorney a possibility in these uncertain times.
So, if you or someone you’re close with is facing an allegation of indecent exposure in Colorado, be smart. Contact the determined criminal lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-265-1950.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio