Lewdness Defense Attorney for UPenn Students

Lewdness is not the offense that any person wants to have on their criminal record. Not only will this offense follow you for the rest of your life, but it could affect your academic career at a prestigious institution like the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). If you or a family member was arrested for lewdness while attending the University of Pennsylvania, contact an experienced Philadelphia lewdness defense attorney for UPenn students today.

The Liberty Law Team understand how a criminal offense like lewdness can affect a person’s personal and professional career, and we are here to fight for you. Criminal defense lawyer Lonny Fish possesses several years of criminal law experience, and he will use this knowledge to represent you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact the Law Offices of Lonny Fish at (215) 826-3314, or contact us online.

Pennsylvania Open Lewdness Laws and Penalties for College Students

Lewdness, also referred to as open lewdness occurs when a person commits a vulgar act that they are aware would offend or alarm other people who are observing. It can be difficult to differentiate acts of lewdness with an offense for indecent exposure. Indecent exposure requires a person to expose their genitals in public for others to see. Indecent exposure is also treated as a more serious crime than open lewdness.

There are a number of actions that could result in a person being charged with open lewdness as a UPenn student. For example, urinating in a public area is an act that can result in criminal charged for open lewdness. Other examples of open lewdness include:

• Public masturbation or other sexual public acts
• Watching pornography while in public view of others
• Exposing intimate areas of your body in public
• Watching others perform a private act in their home

This is not an exhaustive list. There are other actions that can lead to an offense for open lewdness. Additionally, if you commit a certain sexual act, you may not only face charges for lewdness, but you may also have to register as a sex offender. For example, an offense for lewdness that involved a minor could be considered a registrable sex offense.

To learn about what type of penalties to expect after being arrested for open lewdness as a student of UPenn, continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer.

Criminal Penalties for Open Lewdness

In Pennsylvania, an offense for open lewdness is typically charged as a third degree misdemeanor. A third degree misdemeanor is one of three grades of misdemeanors that a defendant can be charged with. Third degree misdemeanors carry the least severe penalties, while second degree misdemeanors and first degree misdemeanors carry moderate and severe penalties, respectively. If a defendant is convicted of a third degree misdemeanor, they can be sentenced to a maximum of one year in prison and could owe $2,000 in criminal fines.

If an open lewdness case also resulted in charged for indecent exposure, a defendant could also be charged with a second degree misdemeanor or a first degree misdemeanor. In Pennsylvania, second degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison and $5,000 in fines, while a first degree misdemeanor is punishable by five years in prison and $10,00 in fines.

How a Sexual Offense Could Affect Your Academic Career at UPenn

If you were arrested for open lewdness, this is an offense that can not only affect your personal life but your academic career as well. This may be even more troublesome if your offense stemmed from an incident that occurred on the campus of your university.

In light of your open lewdness charges, the University of Pennsylvania may subject you to a disciplinary hearing. It is important that you fully understand your rights when it comes to a disciplinary hearing, like whether you can submit evidence or testimony from witnesses.

If a hearing does not go in your favor, you could be subject to a number of penalties. For example, if you live on campus or you have an academic scholarship, these benefits could be suspended. Additionally, this offense will follow you even after you leave college. This means it could come up while you are searching for a job or looking for affordable housing.

Our firm can help you explore your legal options if you are faced with a disciplinary hearing or other issues due to an open lewdness offense.

Contact a Skilled Philadelphia Lewdness Defense Lawyer for UPenn Students You Can Trust

If you or a family member were arrested for committing open lewdness as a student of the University of Pennsylvania, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer and disciplinary hearing lawyer for UPenn students today. The Liberty Law Team is devoted to providing our clients with the aggressive legal representation needed to fight their criminal cases. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Law Offices of Lonny Fish at (215) 826-3314.