Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Taking to the streets in your birthday suit may feel like a liberating experience, but these risk takers should know that exposing sex organs in a public place may result in time behind bars and loads of monetary fines.
If it's a first offense, Arkansas indecent exposure laws only punish violators with misdemeanors. However, repeat offenders will find a felony attached to their name if they expose themselves to others more than a handful of times. This is a quick summary of the indecent exposure laws in Arkansas.
Under Arkansas indecent exposure laws, certain private acts may also be considered a violation. If a person knows that exposing his or her sex organs will offend another person but does so anyways behind close doors, this person may still be convicted of indecent exposure. The following table outlines the specifics of Arkansas indecent exposure laws.
| Code Sections | Arkansas Code §5-14-112: Indecent Exposure |
What's Prohibited? |
A person violates Arkansas indecent exposure laws if, with the purpose to arouse or gratify a sexual desire of himself or herself or of any other person, the person exposes his or her sex organs:
A woman is not in violation of this section for breastfeeding a child in a public place or any place where other individuals are present. |
Penalty |
Generally, a violation of Arkansas indecent exposure laws is a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. However, a fourth or fifth conviction within 10 years of a previous conviction elevates the penalty to a Class D felony. A Class D felony is punishable by up to six years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A sixth conviction and each successive conviction within 10 years of a previous conviction becomes a Class C felony. A Class C felony is punished by a minimum three years but not more than 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. |
Exposing yourself to others in public is a crime in almost every state in America. Arkansas is not an exception. If you have been convicted of indecent exposure and would like additional legal assistance, you can contact an Arkansas criminal defense lawyer through FindLaw. Visit FindLaw's sections on indecent exposure and criminal charges for more articles and information on this topic.
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