Public Indecency or Lewd Conduct can be charge in Greeley, Weld County, and the rest of Colorado if a person exposes their genitals, intimate body parts or have sex in public. Any criminal charge should be taken seriously and Public Indecency on a person’s criminal record could cause problems with employment or schooling. Having a top Greeley lawyer is the best chance for a favorable outcome in your Public Indecency charge case. Below, our lawyers discuss Public Indecency charges in more detail.
Legal Definition of Public Indecency, C.R.S. 18-7-301, in Colorado
The Definition of Public Indecency, C.R.S. 18-7-301, in Colorado is:
Any person who performs any of the following in a public place or where the conduct may reasonably be expected to be viewed by members of the public commits public indecency:
(a) An act of sexual intercourse; or
(b) (Deleted)
(c) A lewd exposure of an intimate part as defined by section 18-3-401 (2) of the body, not including the genitals, done with intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desire of any person; or
(d) A lewd fondling or caress of the body of another person; or
(e) A knowing exposure of the person’s genitals to the view of a person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person.
This is less serious than Indecent Exposure.
Common Examples of Lewd Conduct Charges in Weld County
It is important to understand what Lewd Conduct in Weld County look like. Some common examples are:
- Running naked across a football field during a game
- Having sex in a public park
- Exposing yourself in a parking lot as a joke to your friends
It is important to note that breastfeeding is not considered Lewd Conduct. However, the statute regarding Lewd conduct if very broad in that the intent does not matter – a person only must cause affront or alarm while exposing their genitals.
Windsor, Colorado, Criminal Court Difference Between Public Indecency and Indecent Exposure C.R.S. 18-7-302
Public Indecency and Indecent Exposure are often confused in Windsor, Colorado. They are two very different criminal charges. With Indecent Exposure, C.R.S. 18-7-302, the intent to satisfy a sexual desire when a person knowingly exposes their genitals, needs to be proven to be convicted. Public Indecency is the lesser charge and is a petty offense, which means that the sentence and penalties are not as severe as Indecent Exposure. Indecent Exposure is a class 1 misdemeanor and requires sex offender registration. To learn more about Indecent Exposure go here.
Sentence and Penalties for Public Indecency in Weld County
Public Indecency is a petty offense in Weld County. The penalties for a petty offense are up to 10 days in the Weld County Jail and / or up to $300 in fines. A petty offense may not seem severe, however, it can cost time, money, and the defendant gets a criminal record. Also, if the defendant does not have US citizenship, a conviction might impact immigration status. If you should get a second or more convictions for this violation, it becomes a class 1 misdemeanor, and the penalties increase substantially.
Hire a Top Greeley, Colorado Lewd Conduct or Public Indecency Charge Attorney
Every criminal charge including petty offenses like Lewd Conduct or Public Indecency need a skilled Greeley defense attorney. The Public Indecency attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office know that a person’s time and money are important, as well as the impact a criminal record can have on a person’s career or schooling. Let us navigate the Weld County Courthouse and Colorado criminal law for you. We have over 30 years of experienced defending Public Indecency and Indecent Exposure cases.