Indecent Exposure Charges in Dallas, TX

A conviction for indecent exposure can change your life for the worse forever. These cases can have an oversized impact on your and your family. First, they can result in very serious consequences including jail time and hefty financial penalties. Second, they can result in a permanent criminal record that can haunt you for years. Finally, they can require you to register as a sex offender. When you’re facing all this, you need the best possible Dallas indecent exposure lawyer in your corner.

We understand that being accused of sexual performance of a child can be frightening and frustrating, to say the least. It is extremely common to feel alone and isolated, not knowing who you can trust. Family members and friends are often torn. You need to be able to turn to someone you know you can trust. You need an experienced and compassionate Dallas indecent exposure attorney on your side.

Dallas Indecent Exposure Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been accused of indecent exposure in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas indecent exposure lawyer Mike Howard has the experience, trial skills, and dedication that you need when you are fighting for your life. We will do everything we can to fight for you. Moreover, Mr. Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options.

A Different Kind of Lawyer

We approach our clients differently than a lot of lawyers. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of lawyer you’ve come to the right place.

Our Criminal Case Process

Listen & Understand

We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.

Open Communication

We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.

Fight for Justice

Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.

Defining Indecent Exposure in Texas

A person commits indecent exposure (Texas Penal Code § 21.08) if they expose their anus or any part of their genitals with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. To be criminal, however, the act must be reckless about whether another person is present who will be offended or alarmed by the act. Under Texas law, in this circumstance, a person acts recklessly when they are aware of but consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that another person will be offended or alarmed.

Because indecent exposure requires the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire, innocent activities like a mother breastfeeding her child in public do not constitute a criminal offense. On the other hand, however, some otherwise innocent pranks can be charged as indecent exposure cases. For example, mooning (exposing the buttocks in public can be a criminal act that gets you arrested by an overzealous officer. Even innocent acts of necessity like urinating in public can be misinterpreted as indecent exposure.

Related Offenses

Public lewdness is similar to indecent exposure. Public lewdness occurs when a person knowingly engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, or sexual contact in a public place or acts recklessly in the presence of someone who may be offended or alarmed.

Resources and Information

See our criminal defense resource center for more information on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more. Our sex crimes defense lawyers in Dallas are here to help you understand your charges and options.

Penalties for Indecent Exposure

Indecent exposure offense is a Class B misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. A first conviction does not require sex offender registration. A second conviction, however, will require you to register as a sex offender for ten years following the end of the sentence.

Defending Indecent Exposure Charges in Dallas

First and foremost, the prosecutor must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails. As a result, the court must find you not guilty. This means you don’t have to prove that you didn’t do it. You don’t have to prove anything!

The only way the prosecution wins is if the jury believes their story is the only reasonable way it could’ve happened. If they have any reasonable doubts that it actually happened, they must find you not guilty. If they reasonably think it could’ve happened another way, they must find you not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented by a skilled Dallas indecent exposure attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.

Choosing the Right Indecent Exposure Lawyer in Dallas

Searching for indecent exposure lawyers in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Criminal defense attorneys are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.

First, talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case. Absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.

What Makes Mike Howard Different

Many lawyers take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach. A knowledgeable client is a happy client. Therefore, we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.

Visit Our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit Our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.

Dallas Indecent Exposure Attorney Mike Howard

Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas indecent exposure attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.

Client-Centered

The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals.  I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, their options, and whether expungement may be available to clear their record. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.

Willing to Fight

Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court.  I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas indecent exposure attorney has a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it can make all the difference in the world.