Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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While an unclothed, morning stroll may seem like a refreshing way to start the day, walking around in the buff has a way of grabbing an abnormal amount of attention. To make things even worse, if the viewer of this breakfast surprise is someone other than the nudist's spouse, this attention can quickly lead to a handful of crimes.
Under Iowa indecent exposure laws, this genital exposure may not seem like a crime at first glance. However, the consequences of being convicted of this statute in the Hawkeye State may change your life for the next decade. This is a quick summary of the indecent exposure laws in Iowa.
Although most people associate indecent exposure laws with public nudity, these laws can also be broken in the privacy of someone's home. Iowa indecent exposure laws prevents people from performing sex acts in front of third parties that the performers know are offensive to the viewer. A person convicted of this crime can be fined several hundred dollars, may spend time in prison, and must register as a sex offender.
The following table outlines the specifics of Iowa indecent exposure laws.
| Code Sections | Iowa Code §709.9: Indecent Exposure |
| What's Prohibited? | Under Iowa law, a person who exposes the his or her genitals or pubes to a person other than the person's spouse, or who commits a sex act in the presence or view of a third person, commits a crime, if:
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| Penalty | Iowa indecent exposure laws labels this crime as a serious misdemeanor. A conviction for this crime can result in a fine of at least $350 but not more than $1,875. In addition, the court may also order imprisonment not to exceed one year. |
Register Sex Offender |
A person convicted of violating Iowa indecent exposure laws must register as a sex offender for a minimum of 10 years. |
Exposing yourself to others in public is a crime in almost every state in America. Iowa is not an exception. If you have been convicted of lewd, indecent, or obscene acts and would like additional legal assistance, you can contact an Iowa 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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