What is Gross or Public Lewdness? - Nevada, Las Vegas

Public Lewdness is a sexual crime in Nevada, Las Vegas which comes under statute NRS 201.210. The term may confuse some with many acts but public, open, or gross lewdness is stated in either of the two conditions:

• Knowingly doing sexual acts or simulated sexual acts in public or in private where others can see the act, 

OR

• A sexual touch in public that included another person but does not result in penetration and is not consensual, that is, without the permission of the other person.



You must be thinking that having sex in public can get you in legal trouble but in fact, this is the last thing that can happen to you in Las Vegas. Most cases that come are because of the visitors (mostly) involve in unwelcomed, without permission sexual touching or playing with a person in places like clubs, parties, pool parties, etc. These types of conducts end with a charge of open and gross lewdness.

The worrying part for these offenders is that undercover law enforcement officers are regularly present at Nevada nightlife scenes. So, a simple fun activity can get you into trouble without you thinking that you are doing anything against the law.

Public lewdness is often charged in combination with the crime of improper exhibition, which is a separate Nevada law. Public lewdness usually applies to sexual acts, while improper exhibition refers to showing private body parts in public, whether it is sexually motivated or not.

What are the Penalties for Gross and Public Lewdness?

A first crime under the public and gross lewdness statute is gross misbehavior, which includes up to one year in jail and a fine of up to two thousand dollars ($2,000). Because open and gross lewdness is a sexual crime underneath Nevada regulation, a conviction call for the violator to sign in as an intercourse culprit (sex offender)— an extreme outcome that can significantly affect your life even more than the alternative consequences and having a crook conviction for your document.

Any next offense [after the first one] is a category D felony, punishable by giving the offender one (1) to four (4) years in jail, a high amount of fine, as much as 5 thousand bucks ($5,000). Subsequent convictions may get you life imprisonment too.

What is the Difference Between Public Lewdness and Indecent Exposure?


Public lewdness involves engaging in any of the following activities in a public place:

  1. any act of sexual intercourse
  2. any act of sexual contact
  3. and any kind of sexual activity with a creature

Any of these documented[videographed or photographed] actions can be met with arrest and criminal fees. 

Indecent exposure is an action that includes a man who displays their anus or any part of the genitals:

  1. along with the intention to incite the sexual desire of any person
  2. with thoughtless disregard for if another person may see the activities and be provoked or offended

Depending on the situation, a man who urinates in public might not be guilty of the crime. But someone who “flashes” on strangers in the road might be picked up by the officers and taken to county jail.

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