{"id":372288,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-indecent-exposure-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-04-06T12:01:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:01:28","slug":"district-of-columbia-indecent-exposure-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-indecent-exposure-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Indecent Exposure Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Indecent Exposure Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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District of Columbia<\/span> indecent exposure<\/span> laws, codified in D.C. Code<\/span> \u00a7 22-1312, make it illegal to expose one’s genitalia<\/span> or anus, masturbate, or engage in sexual acts<\/span> in public. This criminal offense<\/span> is classified as a misdemeanor<\/span> punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $500.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The District of Columbia<\/span>, along with every other jurisdiction, maintains laws against public nudity<\/span> and lewd<\/span>, indecent, and obscene acts<\/span>. D.C.’s indecent exposure<\/span> laws<\/a> are meant to prohibit any offensive disturbances of the public peace<\/span> and ensure public safety<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article examines and explains the indecent exposure<\/span> laws<\/a> in the District of Columbia<\/span>, including the penalties and defenses<\/a> to this criminal offense<\/span>. If you’re facing indecent exposure<\/span> charges, consider speaking with a Washington, D.C<\/span>. criminal defense attorney<\/a> right away. They’ll let you know what to expect regarding your legal issues<\/span> and help you defend yourself against the criminal charges<\/span>.<\/p>\n

How Does Washington, <\/span>D.C<\/span>. Law<\/span> Define Indecent Exposure<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

The District of Columbia<\/span>‘s criminal laws<\/span><\/a> define indecent exposure<\/span> as engaging in lewd<\/span> and obscene sexual acts<\/span> in a public place<\/span>. There are several elements of this offense.<\/p>\n

A person is guilty of indecent exposure<\/span><\/a> if they do any of the following in a public place<\/span><\/a>:<\/p>\n