For example, in Las Vegas, the punishment is up to $1, 000 in fines and/or up to six (6) months in jail. This not only related her point perfectly—that I am perhaps not wearing pants as often as I should—but was undeniably hysterical. The severity of consequences will also depend on how old the witness was and whether or not the defendant has previous offenses on their record. Many courts (especially municipal courts) have alternative disposition programs (like probation) aimed at low level misdemeanors. If convicted, you could face significant penalties, including jail time and fines, not to mention having something stuck on your criminal record that can create difficulties with employment. 335a is aggravated indecent exposure while being sexual delinquent. Moreover, as with all ordinance violations, a judge has the discretion to imprison or sentence a violator up to 90 days in jail and the same number of days performing community service. Courts allow the necessity defense because it's unfair to punish someone who breaks the law only because they have to. Answer: yes, you absolutely can be charged with public urination after the fact. FAQ About Facing Urinating In Public Charges In Arizona.
So if you urinate in public, and there are children around, you could potentially get charged with a sex offense in some states. Unfortunately, the trigger for an indecent exposure charge happens all too often in Texas. If you've been charged with public urination, take it seriously.
If you need to urinate badly, it may be a better choice to wet your pants than ruin the rest of your life. It's possible to have a range of different penalties in Texas, depending on where the individual is charged with public urination. You should consider working with an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are charged with the crime. You were not in public. It will not serve to negate criminality. Please review our disclaimer about law/legal-related information on this website before taking action based upon anything you read or see. If you simply pay the fine, even though it may only be a few hundred dollars, you are admitting guilt and will be convicted of a crime. Many city and county criminal ordinances also ban public urination, and people are often charged under these ordinances for it. If you are charged with charges arising from conduct associated with urinating in public, it is imperative that you call a practiced criminal defense attorney to discuss your specific situation with and decide whether or not you will benefit from legal representation. In most states, public urination is a misdemeanor charge. And that branded him a sex offender to this day in Florida, which lists his crime as "Sex Offense, Other State (Open and Gross Lewd & Lascivious Behavior—2 Counts). If convicted of any such offense, you could face up to thirty (30) days in the county jail, placed on probation, face up to $500 in discretionary fines, and pay mandatory penalties totaling $125 as well as court costs and fees.
If you had the misfortune of being charged with lewdness, in the fourth degree, you would have to go to criminal court in the Superior Court in the county in which the alleged offense occurred. Our client was very happy to have the case resolved as an infraction, rather than a misdemeanor, as a misdemeanor would involve informal (or summary) probation, but an infraction would not. As discussed above, the homeless often do not have access to public facilities. And often, the defense attorney can argue the case well enough at that time to have the case dismissed. As he sat in a bar enjoying his last beer, with closing time just 30 minutes away, a fight broke out in the bar. Usually, this is one year after the day your case was discharged.
Sadly, there just aren't enough law enforcement officers on duty to respond to every single 9-1-1 call, and sometimes the disorderly conduct isn't even discovered until a later date. The decision to urinate in a public place can have lasting negative consequences. Further, depending on whether or not an individual's genitalia was exposed to other people or not, very serious charges could be involved. On the criminal side, there will be an applicable statute of limitations that limits the time frame to file. Additionally, simply smelling or seeing the results does not mean that the individual within the vicinity necessarily committed the act. However, individuals can be charged with indecent exposure, trespassing, or disorderly conduct if they are caught urinating in public. Investigating Public Urination. This crime is a misdemeanor and if you are convicted, then you will have an indecent exposure misdemeanor on your record. We really appreciate it and we are happy that all turned out well. Do everything possible to avoid conviction of a serious crime by contacting experienced legal defense counsel for a free initial case assessment now. If you have been arrested or charged with public urination, contact Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney John Rogers at the Law Offices of John D. Rogers. If you were urinating on the neighbor's flowers or in their yard, it could destroy any good relationship you had with them. This is a serious problem, as registering as a sex offender will be revealed in the event of a background check. Apart from the punishments discussed above, any criminal offense can have an effect on your life, especially when applying for employment or schooling.
Whether someone is convicted of a sex offense will depend upon the laws in the jurisdiction. What Punishment Do I Face for Public Urination? Essentially, the law serves to limit urination or defecation to the appropriate facilities. Having to register as a sex offender is highly unlikely without circumstances that exacerbate the severity or the situation, or having a prior sex crime on your record. At the same time, our client decided to relieve himself in a nearby alley, just as a police officer walked around the corner. Can you legally urinate in public in Nevada? We assist clients across the state of New Jersey, including in Hoboken, Newark, Hackensack, Morristown, East Rutherford, New Brunswick, Holmdel, and Jersey City. If you are a naturally shy, nervous, or just a private person, this can be pretty nerve-racking. They are more concerned with having a permanent criminal conviction for urinating in public. This includes sidewalks, roads, and in parks. A felony will show up on your criminal history, thwart employment, and possibly impact your college success or access to student loans.
A legal professional can potentially help you reduce your charges or have them dismissed altogether. For instance, walking home with friends from a local bar and urinating behind a tree or bush in a public park, or urinating on the golf course in some bushes while playing a game with colleagues. Passionate lawyers who are on your side. Again, if the officer did not in fact witness the crime, this will strike a blow against the prosecution's case. Indecent Exposure Charge in Texas. Or the restroom line at a bar might be far too long for the state of your bladder. These ordinances make it illegal to urinate on any public property, and even private property that is visible from public property. A public place is defined broadly. If you have been arrested for public urination, it's possible that you could be charged with a sex offense. Another possibility is that the police charge you with lewdness, a New Jersey statute violation that may be a disorderly persons offense or an indictable offense. • He or she was reckless about other persons present who might be offended or alarmed by the act. Some may see public urination as a relatively harmless and victimless crime. For example, if you urinate on your front yard that is across the street from a park, you could still be charged since people can still see you on your private property).
When faced with this situation, many men will quickly consider their options and end up finding a private-ish place to relieve themselves. In the worst-case scenario, you may even have to register as a sex offender if the urination exposed a minor to a lewd act. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, it's a smart idea to hire a criminal defense attorney to help you. The person leaves the bar sometime later, then realizes he or she needs to urinate. Police officers can issue tickets even if they simply suspect public urination regardless of whether or not if there is proof.
No one else present was offended or disturbed by the exposure. Unfortunately, outings involving drinking and alcohol often have disastrous results. Notably, you cannot get a conditional dismissal for a municipal ordinance violation. Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Public Urination Charge? Call us at (480) 248-7666. But more often than not, it may be that the officer did not actually see the person urinate, but just saw a person facing a wall. If you are convicted, you will have a criminal record that will follow – and haunt – you the rest of your life. There can be many defenses and opportunities to get a public urination charge dismissed. Urinating in public and indecent exposure are two very different charges. Or, perhaps you were in a public restroom when someone else relieved themselves outside of the toilet. Our client was drunk, but still aware enough to realize this officer was missing the more urgent need for law enforcement.
Though less common, a harsher approach is to charge people who pee in public with indecent exposure or public lewdness, which are crimes that could require them to register as a sex offender. However, there are local ordinances for public urination depending on what county you are being charged in.
Avoid making the case worse. The State will try to prove that you exposed yourself for the purpose of sexual gratification in public and that you could have reasonably expected to be seen by someone under the age of 13. It's possible that you were falsely accused of urinating or defecating in public. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help.