Have you been charged with public lewdness? Don’t wait. Call now.
You may not think that the crimes relating to Public Lewdness and Exposure are the most serious of crimes under New York law, or you do not need an attorney. Being convicted of a lewd act will hurt your reputation, damage your record, and will effect your life and career.
At Norman Mattar, we have a qualified and experienced legal team committed to providing the best defense you can get to fight your Lewdness and Exposure charges. They will fight Lewdness and Exposure charges to eliminate any jail sentence, conviction, or fines. We have worked on successful cases with several clients, and through our experience, we will work in your defense.
Punishment for lewdness and exposure
Public Lewdness is slightly more complicated than Exposure. The charge of Exposure of a Person is similar, though without the element of intent.
Here are the definitions and penalties as defined in New York Penal Law:
- Public Lewdness: A person can be charged with Public Lewdness when they intentionally expose intimate parts of their body in a public place, or in a private place that can be observed from a public place or from another private place. Public Lewdness is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A person is guilty of public lewdness in the first degree when they are 19 years or older and intentionally expose their private parts with the intent to be seen by a person aged 16 or under.
- Exposure: A person is guilty of exposure if they appear in a public place displaying private or intimate parts of their body unclothed or exposed. It is a violation, with a maximum sentence of 15 days in jail in addition to fines and community service.
Nevertheless, conviction on either of these charges will result in a CRIMINAL RECORD in addition to a considerable level of embarrassment, particularly for those who are in committed relationships.
Public indecency laws
A person who performs a lewd act in public can be charged with public indecency. This term generally refers to any physical exposure like nudity or sexual activity deemed inappropriate in public. It includes criminal offenses like indecent exposure and lewd conduct.
What are possible defenses for a public lewdness charge?
Public Lewdness charges often result when a police officer comes across people engaging in sex acts in public places such as parks, restrooms, cars, and other semi-secluded locations. In some cases, the police may stake out locations or stage stings.
When defending you, Attorney Norman Mattar will carefully examine all aspects of your case, looking for a way to obtain a positive outcome. Whenever possible, our goal will be to obtain a dismissal of the charges. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it may also be possible to obtain a plea agreement for a lesser charge, such as disorderly conduct.
The message, then, is that you should not despair if you have been charged with Public Lewdness or Exposure of a Person. The Law Offices of Norman Mattar will vigorously defend you, seeking the best possible outcome for you.
If you have been charged with public lewdness, call now to set up a consultation.
To schedule a free consultation about Public Lewdness or Exposure of a Person charge in Western New York, call the Law Offices of Norman Mattar at 716-633-4300.