Indecent Exposure Charges in Los Angeles

Penalties for Indecent Exposure

Many people who are charged with indecent exposure find themselves faced with criminal penalties that seem out of proportion to the facts of the case. A seasoned Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can help you protect your name against the long term consequences that will stick with you if you are convicted. Under section 314 of the California Penal Code, indecent exposure is a misdemeanor that involves the public display of one's private parts. Specifically, this law prohibits acts that are likely to offend or annoy other people, meaning that simply being nude out of doors does not necessarily count as grounds for prosecution.

Because the language of this statute is somewhat open to interpretation, some people are arrested and even convicted based more on the opinion of the police officer and the judge, rather than objective yardsticks like blood alcohol content in a DUI. It is vital to prove that you aren't guilty of violating the law, because you could be sent to county jail for up to 6 months and forced to pay $1,000 in fines. Perhaps the most serious aspect of a conviction for indecent exposure is that you would have to register as a sex offender for life. You will carry this label along with people who have been convicted for rape and child porn, and you will have a profile in the online sex offender database, complete with photo and personal details.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Los Angeles

At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates , we will take the time to educate you in your rights and what you can expect during your defense. Our team has over 70 years of combined experience defending people in your situation, and we know how to effectively approach this type of case. Sex offender registration can have a major impact on your employment opportunities, as well as your social life. You need to avoid this social stigma and the penalties of being convicted. We will negotiate with the prosecution and go to court if necessary to clear you of the charges.

Contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer who can help you with strategies to fight allegations of indecent exposure and the serious consequences of a conviction.