Getting it on in public can be a thrilling experience. However, there are a few things you should be aware of before you decide to take the plunge.
If you get caught, you could face embarrassing criminal charges like indecent exposure and public lewdness. Read on to learn more about what happens if you get caught having sex in public.
1. You could be fined
If you are caught having sex in public, the police may take a number of different actions. For example, they may issue you with a caution or a conviction depending on the offence you are accused of and the perceived harm caused. In some cases, the police may also charge you with indecent exposure or outraging public decency, depending on the circumstances and your level of culpability. These are criminal offences and carry heavy penalties including prison sentences.
For example, you could be charged with indecent exposure if your genitals are exposed during public sex. This is because the law defines lewd conduct as touching your own or another person’s private parts, such as their genitals, buttocks, or breasts, for sexual enjoyment or to annoy or offend them. However, you would not be charged with indecent exposure if you were secluded in your car on a sunny day at the park and no one else was around.
If you are convicted of either indecent exposure or public lewdness, you may be required to register as a sex offender. This can have a huge impact on your life and relationships, as employers might be reluctant to hire you if they discover that you are a sex offender – This information was gathered by the service specialists teentelsex.com. Fortunately, you can defend yourself by hiring an experienced and compassionate lawyer.
2. You could be arrested
If you get caught having sex in public, police may arrest you on suspicion of either disorderly conduct or indecent exposure. The latter crime could lead to a mandatory registration as a sex offender, which is very serious.
It’s also possible that you could be charged with both charges, depending on the specific circumstances. For example, if you engage in sexual activity with your partner in a private villa on a secluded beach and a boat travels by, allowing its occupants to witness the act, then this may be deemed to be a case of public lewdness.
You can defend yourself from a charge of public lewdness by showing that you did not have a reasonable expectation that other people would be present at the time of the offence. If you have a gate surrounding your garden and foliage hiding everything, and the only people who can see into your backyard are your neighbours who live next door, then this is not public lewdness.
A lack of knowledge is also a strong defence in these cases. Your attorney can argue that you were unaware that the act was illegal and therefore did not commit a crime. A good lawyer will work with you to review the evidence and facts in your case. They will try to find a way to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
3. You could be charged with a crime
A conviction for sex in public can have serious, lifelong repercussions. It will appear on your record and could limit your future employment opportunities, housing options and financial security. If you’re charged with public lewdness or indecent exposure, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you fight the charge and minimize the repercussions.
Depending on your location and the state’s laws, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony. The penalties for either conviction could include jail time, community service, probation, a criminal record and/or registration on the sex offender registry, depending on your state’s laws.
In some states, sex in public can lead to charges of indecent exposure and/or public lewdness. Indecent exposure refers to any type of public display of a private body part. This includes both male and female genitalia, buttocks and breasts. Public lewdness refers to any other sexual conduct that is inappropriate, lascivious or of a sexual nature in a public place.
Even if you’re in a secluded section of the woods, having sex in a vehicle in a parking lot in broad daylight can be considered a public space because it’s a visible area to the general public. However, your criminal defense attorney may be able to use mitigating factors such as intoxication or duress to reduce or dismiss the charge.
4. You could be convicted
Many people think of sex in public as an innocent and fun act, but it can actually have serious consequences if you get caught. It can lead to fines, charges, and even jail time. You may also be required to register as a sex offender.
Depending on the location of the incident and whether or not it is considered a public place, the penalties could be more severe. For example, sex in a public park at night is more likely to be prosecuted severely than if it took place in a backyard during the day.
The intent of the act is also a significant factor. If you are aware that others will be able to see your action, it is more likely to be charged with either public indecency or exposure. Similarly, you can be charged for an act that exposes your genitalia in a private area of your house, if the action is carried out with the intention to outrage standards of public decency.
Regardless of what scenario you find yourself in, you should always be mindful of the potential legal consequences. It is always advisable to speak to a solicitor if you are charged with sex in public, to ensure that your defence is the strongest possible. It is a common myth that speaking to a solicitor will be used against you, but this is not true.
