In Greeley and Milliken, Colorado, if a person exposes their genitals to another or masturbates in their sight the person can face an Indecent Exposure charge. Recently, a City of Laredo employee was charged after he entered a business and allegedly exposed himself in a sexual manner. Below, the attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office will discuss Indecent Exposure charges. If you are facing these charges in Fort Collins or Larimer County, Colorado, get help here.
Definition of Indecent Exposure, C.R.S. 18-7-302, in Weld County
In Weld County Court, the definition of Indecent Exposure, C.R.S. 18-7-302, is:
A person commits indecent exposure:
(a) If he or she knowingly exposes his or her genitals to the view of any person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desire of any person;
(b) If he or she knowingly performs an act of masturbation in a manner which exposes the act to the view of any person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person.
Simply put, Indecent Exposure involves the accused exposing their genital to another person for the sexual gratification of the defendant, which causes alarm to others. The city employee in the story above caused alarm when he exposed himself in a sexual manner to others.
Difference Between Indecent Exposure and Public Indecency, C.R.S. 18-7-301, in Windsor, Severance, and Ault, Colorado
While Public Indecency and Indecent Exposure are both sex related crimes and similar, they are two very different criminal charges in Windsor, Severance, Ault, and the rest of Colorado. Public Indecency is when a person has sexual intercourse, is naked in public, or even urinates in public and causes afront or alarm. The definition to Public Indecency, C.R.S. 18-7-301, is:
(a) An act of sexual intercourse; or
(c) A lewd exposure of an intimate part of the body, not including the genitals, done with intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desire of any person; or
(d) A lewd fondling or caress of the body of another person; or
(e) A knowing exposure of the person’s genitals to the view of a person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person.
The difference between the two is that Public Indecency requires sexual intercourse, exposure of intimate parts that cause alarm and lewd fondling. Indecent Exposure has a sexual gratification component. To learn more about Public Indecency, go here.
Sentence and Punishment for Indecent Exposure in Weld County, Colorado Court
Indecent Exposure is a class 1 misdemeanor in Weld County, if it is the first offense for the accused person. It has penalties of a maximum of 364 days in the Weld County Jail and / or up to $1,000 in fines. The sentence increases significantly if there are two or more prior similar convictions. When that happens, this crime increases to a class 6 felony, with penalties of up to 18 months in a Colorado State Prison, 1 year of mandatory parole, and up to $100,000 in fines. Additionally, anyone convicted of Indecent Exposure must register as a sex offender. This sex offender registration is designed as a shame mechanism in our state. To learn more Registering as a Sex Offender in Colorado, get help here.
Why Hire a Greeley, Colorado, Sex Crime Attorney?
Facing an Indecent Exposure or Public Indecency charge in Greeley, Colorado? Let the knowledgeable attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office fight for the best result in your case. A conviction of either criminal charge can cost you money, time in Weld County Jail and having to register as a Colorado Sex Offender. Let us protect your reputation and aggressively fight for your future.