In recent weeks, Salt Lake and Davis counties have had a rash of incidents involving one of more flashers. Earlier this week, Farmington Police arrested a 34 year old Layton man believed to have exposed himself to 10 women. According to police the man said it was a “turn on and a thrill for him” to expose himself. Police are unable to determine at this time if this is the same person connected to reports of a nude man in the Mill Creek Canyon area.
In Utah, a person is guilty of Lewdenss if he or she commits a sexual act in front of another in public which does not amount to rape, object rape, forcible sodomy, forcible sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault or an attempt to commit such offenses in a public place or under circumstances which the person should know will likely cause affront or alarm to, on, or in the presence of another who is 14 years of age or older. It includes acts such as sodomy or sexual intercourse, exposing the private areas of the body, masturbating, and other acts which could be considered “lewd” by a reasonable person.
It is a class B misdemeanor if this a first or second offense however it is a third degree felony if convicted of lewdness two or more times or if you are a convicted sex offender. If the act is committed in from of a child (someone under 14 years of age) then it is a class A misdemeanor. Here in Utah, public breastfeeding is exempt from lewdness statutes even if some area of the breast is exposed.
If you have been charged with an offense which may violate public decency laws contact an attorney for advice.
