In July 2020, a 32-year-old male was arrested after police say he pulled up next to a woman’s car near the 1800 block of South Loop 288 and began fondling his genital area.
According to reports, the man aligned himself with the woman’s car and began touching himself while smiling at the woman. Shortly after, he left the scene, but the victim was able to capture a picture of the man’s vehicle and quickly share it with police officers. Later, an officer located the vehicle, conducted a traffic stop, and asked the driver if he had been engaging in the alleged actions. During the traffic stop, the driver changed his story and reasoning multiple times. He initially told police that he exposed his genitals because he had an injury in his groin area, and then he later claimed that he was lost in the city as a result of being unfamiliar with the city of Denton.
Police later found out that the man and his vehicle were involved in a separate, similar incident that took place at an earlier date. He was then arrested for indecent exposure.
While some individuals may find stories like this comical, in reality, they are anything but. Indecent exposure is a sex crime that should not be taken lightly. Sexually imposing yourself onto another person is never funny, and even if you are not making contact with the other party, displaying sexual organs without receiving consent from the other person is a crime that will bring about serious consequences.
Denton Indecent Exposure Laws and Penalties
According to Texas Penal Code § 21.08, an individual is guilty of indecent exposure if they are found exposing their genitals or anus with the intent to arouse or gratify their sexual desire. Acts such as public urination, nude sunbathing, flashing, or “mooning” can all lead to an indecent exposure charge.
Indecent exposure charges are typically classified as either a Class B or Class A misdemeanor. If convicted of Class B misdemeanor indecent exposure, an individual can expect to spend up to 180 days behind bars and pay a mandatory fine that could be as expensive as $2,000. If this is upgraded to a Class A misdemeanor, they can expect to spend up to one year in jail while also being forced to pay a fine of up to $4,000.
Find A Denton County Defense Attorney for Indecent Exposure Charges | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Indecent exposure is a law that is put in place to protect men, women, and children from unsightly behavior. Forcing a citizen to view graphic sexual content is against the law for a reason, and individuals who do not abide by the legislation put in place can expect some serious consequences to their actions. Indecent exposure convictions can cause someone to forfeit their employment and higher learning opportunities, and it can also lead to other collateral damage such as mandatory sex offender registration.
However, even if an individual does not suffer the aforementioned consequences, the court of public opinion will make its voice heard once it catches wind of these charges. It is extremely difficult to win the trust and respect of the general public when you are charged with this crime. Most people will see a person with an indecent exposure conviction on their record as a perverted, deviant individual who cannot be trusted to behave normally. As a result, many alleged offenders have trouble maintaining their relationships with friends and family once they are facing charges and possible convictions.
While it’s important to make sure that sex predators are not able to roam free, it is also important to make sure that false accusations and wrongful charges do not run rampant in our communities. The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy is here to help people who are attempting to combat their charges and retain their freedoms. Led by criminal defense attorney Richard C. McConaty, our law firm has countless years of experience working with Texans to overcome their criminal cases. If you’re struggling and you’re looking for someone to help you with your legal matters, we’re ready to jump into action. Contact our Denton office today at (940) 222-8004 for more information on how we can be of assistance.
