Naked & Afraid of Arrest? Learn How to Best Prevent It.
Yes, it’s true. National Nude Day on July 14th is a real holiday celebrating naturism (nudism) and the beauty of the human form. In fact, the International Naturist Federation has operated for 65+ years and represents the interests of 450,000+ naturists worldwide. Although it’s not a commonly accepted practice in the United States, many people celebrate this unconventional holiday.
However, you may get arrested for public lewdness or indecent exposure if you’re not careful.
If you choose to celebrate National Nude Day, we strongly advise you to do so with extreme caution, as you may suffer a criminal charge. Many people go to nude beaches in Florida as a result.
While clothing-optional beaches are legal, some Florida beachgoers allegedly got arrested for lewd and lascivious conduct at such beaches, even though they claim they were behaving lawfully. To best avoid further arrests as well as grouping au naturel beachgoers with child molesters, Senator Jason Pizzo introduced SB 850.
This bill states, “It is unlawful for an individual to expose or exhibit [their] sexual organs in public or on the private premises of another … in a vulgar or indecent manner, or to be naked in public except in any place provided or set apart for that purpose, including … clothing-optional beaches.”
FL Lewdness & Indecent Exposure Laws
Florida’s law on the exposure of sexual organs states, “It is unlawful to expose or exhibit one’s sexual organs in public or on the private premises of another, or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises, in a vulgar or indecent manner, or to be naked in public except in any place provided or set apart for that purpose.”
A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance violate this law. Violators may be punished with a first-degree misdemeanor which involves up to 1 year in jail.
A person is guilty of lewd or lascivious exhibition if they conduct the following acts in the presence of a victim who is less than 16 years old or a person they know or reasonably should know is an employee:
- Intentionally masturbates
- Intentionally exposes the genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner
- Intentionally commits any other sexual act that does not involve actual physical or sexual contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, or the simulation of any act involving sexual activity
A person who is 18 years or older can face a second-degree felony charge punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and a minor under 18 years old can suffer a third-degree felony charge which includes up to 5 years in prison.
Thus, it’s crucial to avoid an unintended criminal charge when celebrating National Nude Day on July 14th. However, as we mentioned earlier, some people aren’t so lucky with the law.
Luckily, our proven attorney has served Orlando clients for almost 25 years and knows what it takes to help you overcome your lewd and lascivious conduct accusations. To best avoid losing your freedom and hurting your reputation indefinitely, contact our indecent exposure attorney at 407-420-4647 immediately following your arrest.