Being investigated or arrested for an Exposure of Sexual Organs (Indecent Exposure) offense in Fort Walton Beach is a humiliating experience, not only for yourself, but also your friends and family. The good thing at this point is that you have only been arrested, NOT convicted of the charges pending against you.
Save yourself the embarrassment and life altering consequences of an indecent exposure conviction and call the Fort Walton Beach indecent exposure lawyers with Flaherty & Merrifield today at (850) 243-6097 to schedule your free consultation. We will be there for you when you need it most.
Exposure of Sexual Organs (Indecent Exposure) Under Florida Law
Florida Statue 800.03 states “It is unlawful to expose or exhibit one’s sexual organs in public or on the private premises of another, or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises, in a vulgar or indecent manner, or to be naked in public except in any place provided or set apart for that purpose.”
In order for the prosecutor to prove the charges against you, they must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- That you either uncovered or showed off your sexual organs or were naked;
- That you did this in a public place, on the private property of another, or so near the private property that someone can see you;
- That you intended the uncovering or showing of your sexual organs or nakedness to be in a vulgar, indecent, lewd, or lascivious manner; and
- That the uncovering or showing of the sexual organs or nakedness was in a vulgar, indecent, lewd, or lascivious manner.
Something as simple and innocent as urinating at a public beach or park could get you arrested.
Fort Walton Beach Indecent Exposure Penalties
Indecent Exposure is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail. In addition to the possibility of jail time, if you are convicted of this charge, the permanent stigma of having acted in a lewd manner in public will follow you the rest of your life.
If the act was committed in the presence of a person younger than 16 years old, Florida Statute 800.04 elevates the charge from a misdemeanor to a second degree felony, with the possibility of up to 15 years in prison.
Defending your Fort Walton Beach Exposure of Sexual Organs Charge
If you have been charged with Indecent Exposure in Fort Walton Beach, it is vital that you seek an experienced advocate to defend you. In order to present the best defense possible for your unique case, we will examine and challenge all of the evidence the State has against you. It is possible that you had no “lewd intent” and we will be able to point out all of the inconsistencies in the prosecutor’s case. Call today to go over your case and discuss in detail what we can do for you.
Have You Been Arrested For a Sex Crime in Florida?
If you've been arrested for a sex crime in Fort Walton Beach, call Flaherty & Merrifield at (850) 243-6097 for a free, confidential case review.
