Lewdness and indecent exposure

Nevada Lawyer Defines Lewdness & Indecent Exposure

In Nevada, it is unlawful to behave in a lewd manner. If you engage in behavior that is classified as lewdness, you could face criminal charges. Indecent exposure is also illegal in Nevada and exposing yourself to others could result in prosecution and potentially imprisonment.

If you have been accused of lewdness, not only do you face the potential threat of jail time, but your reputation could be damaged by the mere accusation alone – and conviction could sometimes result in required registration as a sex offender, which could affect your opportunities for the rest of your life. You need to take accusations of lewdness very seriously, which means you need to contact an experienced attorney who can provide the help that you need in fighting charges.

Lewdness and indecent exposure are considered to be crimes against public decency and good morals. These offenses are defined in Chapter 201 of Title 15, which is Nevada’s criminal code. Chapter 201 details all of the different conduct that is considered to be a crime because it is immoral and indecent. When fighting lewdness accusations, you need a lawyer who has provided representation to many defendants accused of violating the provisions of Chapter 201 because you want your attorney to be very familiar with Nevada laws on indecent behavior.

LV Criminal Defense can provide the help that you are looking for. Our Nevada defense attorneys have represented many defendants accused of lewd or indecent conduct of all different types. We can provide insight into your case, help you to develop a legal strategy, and fight for you to get the best possible outcome in your criminal case. To find out more about the ways in which our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team can help you, give us a call today.

Nevada Laws Prohibiting Lewdness and Indecent Exposure

Nevada laws prohibiting lewdness and indecent exposure are found in a subcategory of Chapter 201 that includes Nevada Revised Statutes section 201.210 through 201.232. The relevant statutes that are found within this subsection include:

• N.R.S. 201.210: This statute defines the crime of open or gross lewdness and establishes penalties for defendants convicted of this particular offense. According to N.R.S. 201.210, open or gross lewdness is a misdemeanor for a first offense and a category D felony offense for subsequent offenses.
• N.R.S. 201.220: This statute defines the offense of indecent exposure to include making an obscene and open exposure of his or her own person or the person of another. The first offense is a misdemeanor and any subsequent offenses are Category D felonies.
• N.R.S. 201.230: This statute defines the crime of lewdness with a child under the age of 14. According to the relevant statute, committing any lewd and lascivious act that is not considered a sexual assault can be convicted of this offense if the lewd act was committed upon the body of a child under 14 with the intent to arouse, appeal to, or gratify the lust, passion, or sexual desires of the individual or of the child. The offense is considered a Category A felony and punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole for a first offense as well as a $10,000 fine. A convicted defendant will be eligible for parole after 10 years of imprisonment. However, if the defendant has committed a prior offense involving lewdness with a child, the defendant can be convicted and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
• N.R.S. 201.232: This statute makes clear that mothers who breastfeed their babies should be encouraged and that no mother is permitted to be made to feel ostracized for breastfeeding her child. The statute also stipulates that a mother can breastfeed her child in any public location or in any private location where that mother has been authorized to be. A mother cannot be charged with or convicted of lewdness for breastfeeding and she has the lawful authority to breastfeed in any location where she is otherwise authorized to be irrespective of whether or not her nipple is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.

For purposes of these statutes, lewdness can include exposing private parts or engaging in sexual activity in a public place or in a context that could reasonably cause offense to another person. Exposing the genitals, breasts, buttocks, or any sexual organs could be considered to be lewdness and could trigger penalties under the laws in the state of Nevada.

A prosecutor does not need to prove intent as an element for several of these offenses, which means that the prosecutor does not have to show the defendant’s actions were motivated by a desire to cause another person to be offended. The prosecutor has to show intent to publicly expose one’s self. The prosecutor also does not have to show that a third party actually observed the lewd behavior for open or gross lewdness. This makes it easier for a prosecutor to secure a conviction against a defendant and it necessitates that a defendant works closely with an experienced attorney to determine what types of defenses could potentially help the defendant to avoid being convicted of a serious crime.