{"id":376751,"date":"2016-04-11T01:24:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/utah-law\/utah-indecent-exposure-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-11-03T18:03:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T23:03:08","slug":"utah-indecent-exposure-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/utah-law\/utah-indecent-exposure-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Utah Indecent Exposure Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Utah 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 updated\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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

In the state of <\/span>Utah<\/span>, the crime of indecent exposure<\/span> is called \u201clewdness<\/span>.” Lewdness<\/span> occurs when someone intentionally exposes their genitals or performs a sexual act in public under circumstances likely to cause offense or alarm to another person. Most indecent exposure<\/span> offenses are misdemeanors, but it can be elevated to a felony with more severe penalties.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Times have changed, but not enough to ignore lewd behavior. Like many other states<\/a>, Utah<\/span> law<\/span> categorizes most indecent exposure<\/span> cases as misdemeanors. However, it can be charged as a felony in some circumstances. A first-time offense of lewdness<\/span> involving a minor under the age of 14 is a Class A misdemeanor<\/span>. However, a conviction can be enhanced to a felony if the defendant has a prior conviction for a similar crime.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll explain Utah<\/span>‘s lewdness<\/span> laws<\/a>, including acts that can lead to a lewdness<\/span> charge<\/span>. We will also discuss the penalties and defenses to these sex crimes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you’re facing prosecution for indecent exposure<\/span> or any other criminal charges<\/span>, it\u2019s a good idea to seek legal advice<\/span>. Having a criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a> can help avoid a conviction on your criminal record<\/span>. It can also help you avoid possible jail time<\/span>, fines, and other criminal penalties.<\/p>\n

What’s Prohibited?<\/h2>\n

Utah<\/span>\u2019s Criminal Code<\/a> outlines what constitutes lewdness<\/span>. Under this law, exposure or sexual acts are illegal if they occur in a public place<\/span>. A person can also face charges for an act of <\/span>lewdness<\/span> in a private place if both of the following apply:<\/p>\n