Phoenix Public Indecency
No matter where you go, there are many unspoken rules that one needs to abide by. One of these unspoken rules is keeping sexual discussions and acts private. When discussed or done in public, it is seen as a vulgar act that should not be exposed to the public, especially children. Certain sexual topics and acts are also considered taboo, such as bestiality.
While many understand and abide by these unspoken rules, some do not or fail to conform to the rules and commit these indecent acts without considering their legal implications. If you are one of these people or were falsely accused of committing the offense, you will need a strong legal team to defend you in court.
The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC is a reputed Phoenix, AZ criminal law firm specializing in all types of criminal cases regardless of severity. For public indecency cases, we can personalize our legal assistance based on the charges presented and the people involved. Our team will provide you with all the resources and advice you need to decide the best course of action as we defend you in court to the best of our abilities.
Call The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC at (480) 630-1143 for your Consultation with a Phoenix Public Indecency lawyer.
Identifying Public Indecency
A person commits public indecency or public sexual indecency when they knowingly or intentionally engage in one of the following acts with another person present, and act recklessly regardless of whether the other person will be offended by their actions:
- Engage in acts of sexual contact – sexual contact is defined as fondling or direct or indirect touching of any part of their or another person’s genitals, breasts, or anus by using any part of one’s body or by an object or having another person to make the act on the person.
- Do acts of oral sexual contact – this contact pertains to one’s mouth making contact with the anus, vulva, or penis.
- Do acts of sexual intercourse – This act means penetration into the anus, penis, or vulva by any body part or object or doing masturbatory acts that have direct contact with the vulva or penis.
- Commit acts of bestiality – This sexual act involves oral or direct sexual contact or intercourse with an animal. This can also occur if another person is forced to do such acts with an animal.
A person can also be charged with public indecency if they commit these acts before or on a minor under 15. For the court to determine if the acts done by the defendant were reckless and if a reasonable person would be offended by the sexual acts committed, the court will review the facts involved in the case.
Our legal team at The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC can create a personalized defense for your Phoenix public indecency case when you contact us. Your assigned lawyer for the case will assess whether your case is indeed a public indecency case or not using the information you provided. If it is a public indecency case, we will explain how the legal process works and guide you as the hearing takes place while we defend you in court.
Public Indecency-Related Offenses
Given the acts involved in a public indecency case, several crimes can be added to the case, which can lead to additional penalties.
These crimes are as follows:
- Sexual assault – In this crime, a person intentionally or knowingly engages in oral sexual conduct or sexual intercourse with another person without that person’s consent. It is also sexual assault if the victim is a minor.
- Disorderly conduct – This crime occurs if the suspect engages in unreasonable or disruptive behavior towards a person or the law. Reckless handling and use of a dangerous instrument or weapon is also a form of disorderly conduct.
- Revenge porn – In this crime, a person discloses a photo of another person where they are nude or engaging in sexual activities. These photos are used to harass, threaten, or coerce the victim in the picture. That victim must also have reasonable expectations when it comes to their privacy.
While looking at your case, The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC will also see if these offenses will be applied. We will explain how these offenses can add up to the penalties you might have to face if you are found guilty of these offenses.
Penalties for Public Indecency
Public indecency is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a short prison sentence and fines. It becomes a Class 5 felony if it was done in front of a minor, and instead of being in city jail, the criminal will be sent to state prison.
Furthermore, if the conviction is for a felony public sexual indecency and they have prior felony convictions for the same crime, the penalties will be longer, and they will be included in the state’s sex offender registry.
Additional penalties will be added on top of the identified penalties for public indecency if they also committed related crimes. The severity of these related crimes will determine the length of the penalties that will be added to the case.
Our Phoenix public indecency legal team will be very thorough in helping you understand your charges. When we discuss the penalties, we will let you know what you can expect and how we intend to counter them in court. We will do our best to fight for a lighter sentence and prepare you in case a sentence is given that you may not expect.
Talk to Our Legal Experts Today
There is a reason that taboos and unspoken rules regarding any sexual act exist. If one violates it and blatantly acts on their sexual urges in public, it will come with repercussions that they may not be ready to deal with if found guilty.
So, when you get accused of public indecency, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will help you understand the charges and the possible penalties for your case, working with you to develop a strong legal strategy in the process. If you have any other questions, reach out to us through our hotline and avail yourself of our free consultation!
Call The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC at (480) 630-1143 for your Consultation with a Phoenix Public Indecency lawyer.