Indecent Exposure Defense
Indecent Exposure Lawyers :: The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp
In today’s legal environment, private citizens, police officers, judges and prosecutors take a very harsh attitude toward anyone accused of anything that might be taken to be a “sex crime.” An arrest for indecent exposure can therefore result in future prejudice toward an offender that can last long after the arrest. As an example, a conviction for indecent exposure will result in a criminal record that will be open to future employers, relatives, neighbors, law enforcement agencies and even to credit bureaus. In light of these potential consequences, it is therefore vital that anyone accused of indecent exposure seek legal representation as soon as possible.
What is Indecent Exposure?
In the State of Texas, indecent exposure is defined to have occurred when a person:
- “… exposes his anus or any part of his genitals with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person …” and
- “… he is reckless about whether another is present who will be offended or alarmed by his act.”
Although this may seem a rather straightforward definition, there are a number of conditions in which a charge of violating this law may not be appropriate. The Courts have determined that there are several acts that, depending on circumstances, do not meet the law’s requirements for a charge of indecent exposure. As examples of such exemptions, a woman breastfeeding an infant in public cannot be charged with indecent, nor can someone who appears as a performer in a duly-licensed “adult entertainment” venue face such charges.
Potential Penalties of Indecent Exposure
Indecent exposure is a Class B misdemeanor, which means that if you are convicted on such charges you can be
- Fined up to $2,000,
- Jailed for up to 180 days, or
- Any combination of the above
When you consider the potential stigma of having an indecent exposure conviction on your record, and the fact that a criminal record will essentially ruin any chance of obtaining a home mortgage or a job with a future, you can see why you need an experienced criminal attorney representing you during all phases of your impending court case.
How Can The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp Help?
In the Houston Metro Area, the criminal defense attorneys of The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp offer you their years of experience defending their clients against indecent exposure and related criminal charges. They know that most charges are the result of simple mistakes in judgment on the part of the accused or errors in police procedure. They will stand by you in order to defend your constitutional rights if you have been charged with indecent exposure. To obtain legal counsel for indecent exposure, or any other criminal charge, you should contact The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp at 713-868-6100.
