As I was scrolling through news articles, I came across a story about a substitute teacher getting arrested for Indecent Exposure. I clicked on the article, interested to know the story behind the charges, and found out that a cartwheel is what landed her in handcuffs. According to the news report, this substitute choir teacher had done a cartwheel in front of a high school choir class while wearing a skirt – no underwear. Apparently, a student had caught the whole thing on a cellphone – and I’m sure that video spread like wildfire. It wasn’t long before police became involved and the teacher was arrested and charged with Indecent Exposure for her revealing cartwheel. Let’s look more at the Indecent Exposure charges and the potential consequences in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park.
Larimer County Indecent Exposure Attorney: What is the Definition of Indecent Exposure?
The Colorado law definition of Indecent Exposure – C.R.S. 18-7-302 – is:
(a) If he or she knowingly exposes his or her genitals to the view of any person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desire of any person;
(b) If he or she knowingly performs an act of masturbation in a manner which exposes the act to the view of any person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person.
The interesting piece with this case is the teacher’s intent. In order to be charged with Indecent Exposure in Larimer, Grand, or Boulder County, a person must expose their genitals with:
- The intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desires, and
- The exposure cases affront or alarm.
While I have no idea what the substitute teacher’s motivations were and I am sure exposing herself to the students alarmed them, I’m not sure the sexual intent can be proved in this case. Maybe it was just an error of judgement. Maybe she thought she could flip around fast enough that no one would see anything they weren’t supposed to. Again, I don’t know what was going through her head, but I don’t know that her actions will hold up to meet all 3 elements of the Indecent Exposure statute. Remember, nudity alone does not amount to Indecent Exposure.
Indecent Exposure in Fort Collins: What is the Sentence for this Cartwheel Crime?
Because of the sexual element written into the statute, an Indecent Exposure conviction will require sex offender registration. As a class 1 misdemeanor in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Indecent Exposure is punishable by 6 to 18 months in the Larimer County Jail and up to $5,000 in fines. One of the toughest parts to any sentence for Indecent Exposure is the requirement to complete sex offender treatment with the SOMB standards.