Lewd Act In Public | PC 647(a)

Free Criminal Case Review at 888-579-4844

Former Sex Crimes Prosecutors Now Lewd Act In Public Defense Lawyers

PC 647(a) is similar to PC 314 – indecent exposure in that it is a sex crime that occurs in public. However, the main difference is the California sex offense of PC 647(a) involves either soliciting another person to engage in a lewd act in public or engaging in a lewd act alone in public. A lewd act can include the touching of either the defendant’s own genitals or private areas, or those of another person should it be done with the expressed intent to achieve sexual gratification. The following are the elements that must be proven by prosecutors to convict you of lewd act in public:

  • The act must be committed within public view.
  • The act must be committed in a place where you had no reasonable expectation of privacy.

California has very strict laws and punishments for sex crimes, with the harshest being lifetime sex offender registration under PC 290. Although a conviction for PC 647(a) alone does not carry mandatory registration, being convicted for both lewd act in public and indecent exposure would result in sex offender registration.

Call Former LA Sex Crimes Prosecutors Now At (888) 579-4844 For A Free Case Review

Since 1987, Mr. Takakjian and Mr. Sitkoff have utilized their experience as former special prosecutors within the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office’s elite sex crimes special prosecution unit. Each specializes in defending misdemeanor and felony sex crimes in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California and have practiced criminal law for over 3 decades. As a client of our Los Angeles sex crimes defense law firm, you can rest assured you will receive a first class legal defense and a genuine commitment to a successful resolution of your case. Unlike many other Los Angeles area criminal defense firms, clients of our firm will be represented by a managing partner, either Mr. Takakjian or Mr. Sitkoff, not an inexperienced associate or contract lawyer.  Please call us now at (310) 312-8055 or toll-free at (888) 579-4844 for a free no-obligation consultation to review the facts of your case and each of your potential outcomes.

Penalties And Consequences For Lewd Act In Public

If you have been recently arrested for committing a lewd act in public, you likely have many questions regarding the penalties and consequences you face if convicted. Although PC 647(a) is a straight misdemeanor, meaning it can not be prosecuted as a felony, this California sex offense does carry serious punishments that include the following:

  • Up to 6 months in County Jail
  • Up to $1,000 in fines
  • Summary or informal (unsupervised) probation
  • Vehicle impound if you were also charged with soliciting a prostitute under PC 647(b)
  • Community labor or service
  • Sex offender counseling

The punishments can also extend beyond potential fines, probation, and jail time. The damage to your reputation and career ambitions can be significant. Therefore, it is critical that you be as informed as possible about the punishments you potentially face, as well as the importance of hiring an expert PC 647(a) defense lawyer to negotiate a reduction to a lesser charge or try your case to an acquittal. Please contact us now by phone at (888) 579-4844 or online for a free no-obligation consultation.