In Greeley, Colorado, Public Indecency is when people perform lewd acts that are exposed to the public view. In contrast to Indecent Exposure, it is not necessarily exposing oneself to the public. It is more like having sex in a parking lot which someone sees and reports. Recently, six seniors were recently arrested for sex in the park. Ranging from ages 60-85, five men and one woman are facing multiple charges from breach of the peace to Public Indecency. Additionally, this park is advertised online as a place for people to meet up and engage in sexual activity, so police set up surveillance and caught the offending seniors.
What is Public Indecency in Weld County?
In Weld County, police use the Colorado state definition for Public Indecency, C.R.S – 18-7-301, which states:
- An act of sexual intercourse; or
- A lewd exposure of an intimate part of the body, not including genitals; or
- A lewd fondling or caress of the body of another person; or
- 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.
What is the Difference between Public Indecency and Indecent Exposure in Greeley?
Public Indecency and Indecent Exposure are very similar crimes in Greeley, Longmont, and Atwood. To clarify, Indecent Exposure is exposing oneself to the public with the goal of alarming, arousing, or satisfying the sexual desire of anyone. People are charged for Public Indecency when they perform sexual acts or are exposed in public and someone sees, like these arrested seniors. Furthermore, being seen publicly is not a goal for those who commit Public Indecency. Additionally, if you are caught having sex in public, that will be a Public Indecency crime. Whereas if you are caught masturbating in public, or in view of the pubic, it is Indecent Exposure, and therefore a sex crime. Sex crimes require registration as a sex offender and sex offender treatment under the Sex Offender Management Board, SOMB.
Sentencing for Public Indecency in Weld County Court
Here in Weld County, and Morgan County, Public Indecency is a class 1 petty offense. It is also class 1 misdemeanor if someone exposes their genitals with the intent to shock someone.
If convicted, a class 1 petty offense charge is up to 6 months in Weld County Jail, a $500 fine, or both. A class 1 misdemeanor is punishable by between 6 and 18 months in Logan County Jail, a fine between $500 and $5,000 or both.
If you or someone you love has been charged for Public Indecency in Weld County, be smart. Exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys in Northern Colorado. We are worthy of your trust.
Call the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule your free consultation today. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Jesse Bowser on Unsplash