Dallas Public Lewdness Lawyer (2023)
Dallas Public Lewdness Lawyer, serving Dallas County and surrounding areas
Public lewdness in Texas can is charged if any sexual contact or behavior occurs in a public place.
A conviction could bring severe penalties and unexpected collateral consequences. Have you been accused of a public sex act? Consult a Dallas public lewdness lawyer as soon as possible.
A public lewdness arrest can be embarrassing and impact your family and future.
A conviction could mean jail time and a hefty fine. Plus, you’d have a criminal record with “public lewdness” for all future employers to see.
The team at Varghese Summersett includes Board Certified defense attorneys with decades of experience defending sex crimes.
In this post, we’ll explain what Texas considers public lewdness, the punishment for a conviction, and some of the collateral consequences.
What does Texas law consider Public Lewdness?
Texas Penal Code 21.07 defines public lewdness as a person knowingly engaging in one of the following acts in a public place or being reckless about whether another person is present who could be offended or alarmed by an:
- Act of sexual intercourse;
- Act of deviate sexual intercourse; OR
- Act of sexual contact.
Definitions
Sexual intercourse: Any penetration by the male sex organ or the female sex organ.
Deviate sexual intercourse: Any contact between one person’s genitals and the mouth or anus of another person. The penetration of the anus or genitals of another person with an object is also considered deviate sexual intercourse.
Sexual contact: Any touching of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of another person with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Public place: Under Texas law, it is defined as “any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops.”
What is the punishment for Public Lewdness in Texas?
In Texas, public lewdness is a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4000 fine. A conviction could seriously disrupt your life. Consult with an experienced Dallas public lewdness lawyer.
Does a Public Lewdness conviction require sex offender registration?
No, sex offender registration is not required for people convicted of public lewdness in Texas.
Does a Public Lewdness conviction affect my gun rights in Texas?
Yes, if you are convicted of public lewdness in Texas, you will be prohibited from having a License to Carry for a period of five years. A skillful Dallas public lewdness lawyer will negotiate with prosecutors to see if they’ll agree to a lesser charge or even get the charge dismissed.
How is Public Lewdness different from Indecent Exposure?
Public lewdness is often used interchangeably with indecent exposure. But they are separate charges.
Public lewdness involves knowingly engaging in a sexual act in public. Indecent exposure is exposing your genitals with an intent to arouse or gratify. Both charges include a reckless disregard if another person is present who will be offended or alarmed by the act.
Public lewdness is a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Indecent exposure is a Class B misdemeanor with a maximum of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. A skilled Dallas public lewdness lawyer will explain the potential punishment to their client.
Do you need a Dallas Public Lewdness lawyer? Call Varghese Summersett.
Not only does a public lewdness charge carry serious penalties, but it also has a stigma. Sex crimes conjure up acts of sexual deviance in society, and this can have devastating effects on you and your family.
The Varghese Summersett defense team will seek a resolution in your case that results in the best possible outcome, including avoiding jail time or a conviction. We’ll work to win you an expunction or nondisclosure in the future, if possible so that the incident won’t continue to haunt you.
Call Varghese Summersett for a free consultation. During the call, we’ll discuss the facts of the case, the legal issues involved, and the options available in your case.
For a free consultation, call us at 214-903-4000.
