Public Lewdness Penalties in Texas

Public lewdness, otherwise known as "indecent exposure," or, "public indecency," or, "sexual misconduct" in other states, refers to sexual conduct in a public place, which is believed to be indecent according to the morals of society. In Texas, a person commits the offense of "public lewdness" when he or she knowingly engages in any of the following acts in a reckless manner, without regard to who will be offended or alarmed by their behavior:

• Sexual intercourse
• Deviate sexual intercourse
• Sexual contact
• Bestiality

Any of the above offenses are classified as a Class A misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in prison and $4000 in fines.

In the United States, most states have enacted public indecency laws which prohibit the exposure of the genitals and the female breasts in a public place. In many states, public urination, public nudity, streaking and other such exposure is against the law, especially when the exposure is intended to shock or offend other people. Public lewdness is a criminal offense, which carries with it imprisonment, fines, probation and in certain cases, mandatory sex offender registration.

The one exception for public lewdness is breastfeeding mothers, enacted in 1999; a woman may breastfeed her child at any location where she and her child are otherwise authorized to be present at that location.

Houston Public Lewdness Attorney

If you or someone you love has been arrested for public lewdness in Houston or the surrounding areas, a criminal defense lawyer from The Martinez Law Firm can help. We understand that people can commit the crime of public lewdness quite by accident, yet if they are convicted, face life-changing criminal consequences. We will fight tirelessly on your behalf in order to get the charges against you reduced so you can move on with your life.

Contact a Houston Public Lewdness Attorney at The Martinez Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.