What is indecent exposure in the state of Michigan?
Of all the sex offenses that a resident of Bloomfield Hills, MI, may formally face, indecent exposure seems the most minor. However, Michigan lawmakers and police officers take a strong stance against indecent exposure. You might face consequences you never considered if these charges should lead to a conviction.
Indecent exposure comprises more activities than you probably think. For example, showing normally covered areas of your body in public could result in simple indecent exposure charges, which is a misdemeanor. A conviction for sex offenses involving simple exposure may lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and, or, up to one year in jail.
If you think the consequences above are severe, it may shock you to learn that aggravated indecent exposure convictions result in even harsher penalties. A felony sex offense, aggravated exposure convictions typically mean fines of up to $2,000 and a jail term of up to two years. In some cases, the alleged offender may appear on the state sex offender registry.
It is also helpful to know what acts the state prohibits. Some of those include:
- Publicly exposing yourself in an indecent manner
- Publicly masturbating or fondling your genitals, buttocks, or pubic area
- For females, the above applies along with exposure or fondling of the breasts in public
- Publicly engaging in sexual activity with another person
As you can see, failing to defend yourself against sex offenses revolving around indecent exposure could be a mistake. Instead of ignoring your situation or hoping for the best, consider adopting a proactive approach by seeking guidance from an attorney. Even though public indecency or indecent exposure seems relatively minor, a conviction on such charges could harm your life for years, so take steps to protect your interests.
