Indecent Exposure

Seattle Indecent Exposure and Voyeurism Attorney

Charges of indecent exposure can have a huge impact on a person’s life. While this offense is not the most serious of the sex offenses, it still has consequences that can affect a person profoundly.

In order to convict a person of Indecent Exposure in Washington the government has to prove that a person intentionally made any “open and obscene exposure of his or her person or the person of another.” They also have to prove that the conduct was likely to cause “reasonable affront or alarm.” The Courts have said that the exposure can be to a blind person and still be a crime.

Indecent Exposure is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail, on a first offense where the person exposes himself or herself to someone fourteen years old or older. If the person exposes themselves to a child under fourteen years of age then the crime is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail. And if a person has a prior record for convictions for Indecent Expousre or any sex offense, a second offense is a Class C felony.

Defenses

Sometimes we see clients charged with indecent exposure because they urinated in a public place while intoxicated, or while sick, and were observed doing so. Other times our clients have what could be considered a deep-seated issue that leads them to engage in this behavior. At the Meryhew Law Group we will take the time to hear your story completely, not to judge you. We work hard to make sure you understand the evidence against you and what the government has to prove in order to convict you of this crime. And we work hard to make sure you understand your options and how to best help yourself. We are experienced at providing a vigorous defense regardless of the circumstances.

Treatment for Indecent Exposure

When a client tells us they have a problem and they want help, we know how to get them that help while protecting their rights and their liberty. We work with our clients to prepare them for the psychosexual evaluation that will be required, and we help them choose a treatment program that is appropriate for their needs. There is effective and affordable treatment available that helps many of our clients overcome this issue and the other issues that have plagued their lives. It isn’t easy to admit you have a problem, but when our clients do admit that and seek help they usually end up far happier and healthier than they were when they were arrested.

Sex Offender Registration for Indecent Exposure?

Washington law does not require sex offender registration for convictions of Indecent Exposure in Washington. But those who have been convicted of Indecent Exposure out of state in a jurisdiction that does require sex offender registration for this offense will be required to register if they move to Washington. Washington law says a person must register as a sex offender in Washington for any offense that requires registration in their state of conviction, even if that offense is not a registrable offense for a Washington conviction. Likewise, a person convicted in Washington of Indecent Exposure may be required to register as a sex offender if they move to another state, particularly if their offense is against a person under 14 years of age.

The good news is that an Indecent Exposure conviction can be vacated, or removed from your record of conviction, in some circumstances. If you have had no new criminal convictions for five years and have no charges currently pending against you, then you may be eligible to vacate a conviction for Indecent Exposure. Contact the Meryhew Law Group today for a free initial consultation to determine if we can help you.

Contact Seattle Indecent Exposure Defense Attorney.

Consult the Meryhew Law Group today if you have been accused of Indecent Exposure to insure that your rights are protected and that you get the kind of vigorous, experienced and knowledgeable defense that these difficult cases require. Contact the Meryhew Law Group now for a free initial consultation at 206-264-1590.