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Los Angeles Indecent Exposure Defense Lawyers 
Indecent Exposure
Exposing yourself in public may seem like a relatively minor offense. But it can result in a lifetime duty to register as a sex offender while living in the state of California. An experienced Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney will aggressively fight indecent exposure charges knowing fully well that the defendant's future is on the line. Knowledgeable Los Angeles sex crime defense lawyers know and understand that there are several ways by which someone may be wrongfully charged with indecent exposure.
California Penal Code 314
Indecent exposure involves a person 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."
Penalties for Indecent Exposure
The penalties for indecent exposure in California can be severe. The harshness of the penalties is directly related to where the incident took place and if the defendant is a repeat offender. Simple misdemeanor charges include:
- Up to six months in county jail
- Up to $1,000 maximum fine
- A lifetime duty to register in California as a sex offender
Aggravated indecent exposure involves a exposing yourself in a dwelling such as a home or trailer that was entered without permission. This may be charged as a misdemeanor with a maximum jail sentence of one year or it may be charged as a felony with serious charges including:
- Up to three years in state prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- A lifetime duty to register in California as a sex offender
Defending Indecent Exposure
To prove that indecent exposure, the prosecution must prove that:
- You were in public or in a private location uninvited
- You offended people
- You were fully exposed and that you acted in a lewd manner.
Many wrongful charges arise from false allegations and misunderstanding. Also, some indecent exposure cases involve a mistaken identity. If the act occurred in the dark or the alleged offender's face was covered, it is possible that the victim was unsure of who committed the crime. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will consider every possible defense to ensure that the defendant is not wrongfully charged with a crime he or she did not commit.
If you or a loved one has been charged with indecent exposure, please contact the experienced Los Angeles sexual crime defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP for a free, comprehensive and completely confidential consultation. Even the allegation of a sex crime can tarnish your reputation, cause embarrassment and jeopardize your career or future. Please contact our offices today to find out how we can help.
If you have been arrested for an indecent exposure offense in Los Angeles then please call us immediately for a FREE CONSULTATION at (888) 579-4844.
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