Indecent Exposure or Disorderly Conduct

panthers89 · #1 04-17-2006, 03:15 PM

I am 21 and I go to college. I live with 5 roomates. 2 weeks ago I got out of the shower and walked into the living room with my towel on and one of my roomates offered me ten bucks to walk to my car get my bookbag and walk back. I did it and a car driving by called the police on me. The cops came. They have a picture of me that my roomates took and they interviewed my roomates and found that it was a joke. The thing that is bad is that apparently there was a 13 year old in the back of the car. I got a letter in the mail today and I am being charged with indecent exposure to a minor, a gross misdemeanor. So a recap, they have a picture of me and it shows I am totally unaroused and am walking and I have my roomates as witnesses that it was a joke.

My dilemma is that in most streaker type incedents I found that most of the time it is reduced to disorderly conduct in court. The statute in Minnesota says it has to be a lewd exposure to justify indecent exposure. I looked the word lewd up and it means evil and villanous and vulgar. I definetly did not do that, so I think I am going to be alright.

So what I need help with is whether or not I should hire a lawyer now, or just take the public defender. It would be a lot cheaper doing the public defender, but then I feel like I am running a higher risk of being tagged with indecent exposure. I definetly do not want that, that is a sex crime and I did some research and there are incidents where people have masturbated in public and they got charged with indecent exposure. So I definetly do not want that label my whole life.

I am 21, in college and I work hard and I think this could really put a damper on my future. I do not have a lot of money, so I am trying to get some feedback on whether or not I should get the private attorney right now.

Does anyone know anything about cases like this?

Any feedback would be great. Thanks

Mr. Knowitall · #2 04-17-2006, 03:46 PM

If you don't feel comfortable working with a public defender, hire a lawyer. But it sounds like you would benefit from representation.

panthers89 · #3 04-17-2006, 05:11 PM

If I went with the public defender, would he still be able to talk with the DA and settle something, or is that limited to a private attorney?

Mr. Knowitall · #4 04-17-2006, 05:43 PM

A public defender can negotiate plea bargains. It's no different than with any other lawyer.