Photo Of Kyle B. Sawyer
Photo Of Kyle B. Sawyer

Charged With A Crime? It Doesn’t Mean You’re Guilty.

Denver Area Indecent Exposure – A Cry for Help, C.R.S. 18-7-302

On Behalf of | May 20, 2015 | Indecent Exposure |

When a person commits the crime of Indecent Exposure in Jefferson County, C.R.S. 18-7-302, could it be they are crying for help? Maybe they are just expressing themselves? What you read below will surprise you. Unfortunately, in our state the knee-jerk reaction of our government is to thoughtlessly impose permanent public shame and punishment on someone for revealing their private life.

A Common Understanding in the Field of Psychology

Just prior to writing this blog, I read several professional articles dealing with the psychology of Indecent Exposure. There doesn’t seem to be much agreement on the cause of this exposure crime in Douglas and Arapahoe County, and most of the articles are filled with conflicting, unverifiable statistics and generalizations. But, there are some things they have in common: Indecent Exposure has the highest rate of recidivism than any other sex crime, and it is not usually the result of a criminal mindset as much as a mental disorder. Not long ago I spoke with a Denver area Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) treatment provider who told me the same thing. She said that this behavior is often rooted in a deep psychological need to be known. This is perhaps the reason why those that are caught have a tendency to do it again.

According to Dr. Steven Hart, in an About Health article, the motive for Indecent Exposure stems from the same reason people dress they way they do. People want to impress, look sexy, or sometimes even shock others. Exhibitionists simply take that behavior to an extreme. I am not in favor of decriminalizing Indecent Exposure, and there is no accurate way to determine the impact it has on an unsuspecting victim. Some people, when seeing an exposed person, may find it comical. Others may be shocked, and some may be temporarily traumatized. I suspect the level of fear in our society plays some part in how people react. While we need to discourage this behavior, I wonder about the value of shaming a person for the rest of their life for crying for help.

Penalties and Sentence in Denver for Indecent Exposure

If you or someone you care about is found guilty of Indecent Exposure in Denver, or Adams County, it will permanently change your life. In Colorado, Indecent Exposure requires Sex Offender Treatment and Registration. Even if a person is able to get off the sex offender registry sometime in the future, it will remain a part of their criminal history forever. The question is whether a person with a mental disorder and nonviolent conduct should be on such a list. Read about a real world example of this crime.

At the O’Malley Law Office, P.C., we listen to your side of the story without condemnation. We are dedicated to ensuring you are represented fairly in court. Don’t place your life in the hands a prosecutor who tells you she only wants you to get you the help you need. It is never wise to trust the person whose job it is to put you behind bars. If you are charged with Indecent Exposure anywhere in Colorado, we urge you to be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us at 303-731-0719. Together we can protect your future.