Indecent Exposure in Loveland: Not Just Flashing on the Street
Many people assume Colorado’s Indecent Exposure law only applies to someone flashing a stranger on the street. That assumption is wrong, and it’s catching more Fort Collins, Loveland, and Larimer County residents off guard as more of our lives move onto phones and apps.
Lawyer for Indecent Exposure Charges in Larimer County: How the Statute Reaches Electronic Images
Colorado’s Indecent Exposure statute, C.R.S. § 18-7-302, makes it a crime to knowingly expose your genitals “to the view of any person” under circumstances likely to cause affront or alarm, with intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desire. The statute doesn’t limit “view” to in-person encounters. Larimer County prosecutors have applied this law to unsolicited nude photos or videos sent through text message, social media, or dating apps, reasoning that a screen showing someone’s genitals is still exposing them “to the view” of the recipient.
Penalties and Sex Offender Registration for Indecent Exposure Charges in Estes Park
A first offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The exposure becomes a class 6 felony if it happens after two prior convictions for the same or a comparable offense, or if the person knew a child was in view of the image/exposure. A conviction also typically triggers Colorado’s sex offender registration requirements, a consequence that can follow someone for years and affect housing, employment, and where they can live.
Related Charges Prosecutors May Also File in Online Indecent Exposure Cases
It’s also worth knowing that Indecent Exposure isn’t the only statute Larimer County prosecutors reach for in these cases. Depending on the facts, sending unwanted sexual images can also be charged under Colorado’s Harassment statute or the Posting a Private Image laws found at C.R.S. §§ 18-7-107 through 18-7-109, which carry their own separate penalties.
Charged with Indecent Exposure in Larimer County? Why You Should Talk to an Attorney First
Because these charges carry lifelong consequences, including mandatory registration, anyone contacted by law enforcement about a report involving nude images sent to another person should take the matter seriously and speak with a criminal defense attorney before answering any questions.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Indecent Exposure, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio