INDECENT EXPOSURE

This offense involves the deliberate exposure of a portion or portions of the body, contrary to the commonly accepted notions of decency in the local community. These standards of decency certainly vary over time, and are quite specific to the community in which the exposure takes place.

For example in early 20th century America it was improper for a woman to wear a bathing suit; the famous case of Annette Kellerman in 1907, arrested on this charge in Boston for wearing a one-piece bathing suit, is brought to mind.

Even today in countries around the Middle East it is unacceptable for women to expose almost any parts of their bodies. In many of these countries wearing a burqa is still standard practice.

In Washington a person is guilty of indecent exposure if he or she intentionally makes any open and obscene exposure of his or her person or the person of another knowing that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm.

This crime is a misdemeanor, but can become a gross misdemeanor if the person exposes himself or herself to a person under the age of fourteen years. If you have previously been convicted of this or another sex offense, the charge will be considered a felony, with all the penalties that a C class felony can entail.

In our experience a lot of these charges stem from a simple misunderstanding. Do not risk going to jail or having this charge on your record. You can fight this charge and win, if you have the right attorney.

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