Virginia Beach Indecent Exposure Attorney

Being charged with indecent exposure is no laughing matter. Indeed, in the state of Virginia, the act is a Class 1 misdemeanor—a category reserved for the most serious misdemeanor crimes. In addition to remaining on your criminal record indefinitely, the penalties for a Class 1 misdemeanor conviction may include fees, probation, and/or jail time. If you have been charged with indecent exposure, contacting an experience Virginia Beach indecent exposure attorney can greatly improve the chances of avoiding these severe consequences.

So just what, exactly, constitutes indecent exposure? According to Virginia state law, any inappropriate or obscene display of the body in public can lead to indecent exposure charges. To meet the legal definition of obscene, the primary purpose of the act in question must be of a sexual nature, with no serious artistic, political, scientific, or literary value.  

Although most acts of indecent exposure occur in public places, you can be charged with the offense if the act was committed on certain private properties that can be seen by the public—such as a patio or porch. Some common examples of acts that can lead to indecent exposure charges include masturbation, sexual intercourse, displaying of the genitals, and any other type of exhibitionism in a public place.

In addition to expensive fines and a potential jail sentence, because indecent exposure is a sex crime, your name may appear in the National Sex Offenders Registry, a database housing the names of all convicted sex offenders in the United States. Because this database is open to the public, anyone can find out that you have been convicted of a sex crime—including friends, neighbors, family members, and future employers.

Fortunately, you can fight your indecent exposure charges. An experienced attorney can evaluate the facts in your case to determine whether your offense meets the criteria to warrant an indecent exposure charge. With over a decade of trial experience, attorney Michael C. Tillotson has acquired an extensive knowledge of the Virginia indecent exposure laws.

As a member of both the National Association of Criminal Defense and the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mr. Tillotson will fight aggressively for your rights every step of the way. Don’t let one mistake impact your future—contact Virginia Beach indecent exposure attorney Michael C. Tillotson today for a free, no-obligation consultation on your case.