CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Engaging in Lewd Conduct

Avoiding Lewd Conduct Charges in Los Angeles

One of the regulations in California aims to maintain public order and decency by prohibiting certain behaviors, considered inappropriate or annoying to those around. Engaging in lewd conduct is one behavior that the state penal code criminalizes. It refers to sexual behavior that is unlawful in public places or soliciting such behavior from others who do not wish to engage in such behavior. Understanding the law and its consequences will help you avoid lewd conduct charges in Los Angeles.

Section 647 of the California Penal Code is explicit in stating that engaging in lewd conduct in public is a criminal offense. Some of the actions considered as lewd conduct include touching one’s genitals, breasts, or buttocks in a public place, engaging in lewd touching for sexual gratification, engaging in inappropriate touching of another person in public or engaging in lewd behavior for the purpose of annoying anyone around. The law criminalizes specific sexual behaviors that are unwanted, undesirable or offensive to others in public places.

For instance, Maria is shopping in a mall and touches a man’s genitals as she asks him if she can. She proceeds to touch her breasts despite the man’s requests that she stops and leaves him alone. Maria may face prosecution for engaging in lewd conduct. In another example, Dave and Jose are at the mall and see a group of women passing by. They respond by grabbing their genitals and showing off their buttocks in the hopes that their actions will elicit a response from the women. The women are offended and annoyed, and Dave and Jose are subject to arrest and charges.

In Los Angeles, engaging in lewd conduct is a misdemeanor offense. The convicted person may face a $1000 fine or up to six months in county jail. While a conviction on this charge does not automatically require registration as a sex offender, accompanying indecent exposure or other unlawful behavior may require such registration in some cases.

Need Legal Help?

If you face lewd conduct charges in Los Angeles, a competent legal defense strategy is crucial. Our law firm has trial attorneys with vast experience fighting for our clients, and we will help develop a defense plan tailored to your specific case. We may argue that there was no lewd conduct involved or that you were mistakenly identified by the accuser. Alternately, we may argue that the touching was non-sexual, or you were not seeking to annoy anyone.

A successful defense can help you avoid a lewd conduct conviction, the resulting ruinous fines and jail time, as well as the stigma of a public record of such offenses.

Table 1. Legal Defenses Against Lewd Conduct Charges in Los Angeles

| Defense Strategy | Explanation |
| — | — |
| Lack of Lewd Conduct | The defense that seeks to prove that you were not engaging in lewd conduct. |
| Mistaken Identity | If the victim misidentified you as the perpetrator of the act of lewd conduct. |
| Touching Was Nonsexual | The defense may argue that your touching was accidental, or not for sexual gratification. |
| No Intention to frustrate or annoy | If the lewd behavior was consensual, and not done to annoy anyone |

It is noteworthy that the burden of proof falls on the prosecution in lewd conduct charges. That means the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you violated the law by engaging in lewd conduct in public. Our attorneys will work with you to develop the possible defense strategy, with the objective of minimizing the effects of the charge on your life.

Conclusion

Lewd conduct is one behavior that the state penal code considers inappropriate in public places. Violation of the law may result in fines or jail time. If you face lewd conduct charges in Los Angeles, you need a competent legal defense strategy. At our law firm, we have the expertise and vast experience fighting for clients with similar charges. We are committed to offering a full defense, including contesting the charges brought and providing you with the possible outcome for your case.