Lewd or lascivious conduct is a felony level charge in most areas that is significantly more severe than a misdemeanor indecent exposure or obscenity charge. Lewd or lascivious behavior or conduct occurs when an individual engages in an unlawful act that is intended to stimulate the libido or sexual interest of themselves or another person. It can include exposing sexual parts of the body, posing or engaging in or distributing pornography, sexual acts in a public place or engaging in or Promoting Prostitution. In all states any of these activities with a minor child are automatically classified as lewd of lascivious conduct and are serious felony charges.
Lewd/Lascivious Conduct Penalties
As a very significant crime, especially where children are involved, lewd and lascivious conduct charges tend to carry some very harsh punishments. Even first time offenders can be required to compulsory or mandatory counseling as well as jail time.
Possible Penalties
- Jail time
- Probation
- Parole
- Restitution
- Community service
- Mandatory psychological treatment programs
- Confinement to a mental health treatment facility
- Registering as a child sex offender
Lewd/Lascivious Conduct Sentencing
Since there is considerable social outcry with these types of cases they tend to be highly publicized and followed by the media. While there are few mitigating circumstances there are some defense options that an experienced criminal defense attorney can use. Often on first offenses treatment through a psychological program and restrictive probation can be arranged without a court hearing. These types of alternative options are typically only offered to first time offenders and anyone that is a repeat offender will do significant amounts of jail time and pay very high fines.
Get Legal Help For Lewd/Lascivious Conduct
Getting a criminal defense attorney involved immediately can protect your name and reputation as well as provide protection for your family. These types of cases are very damaging and most people with a conviction at the felony level will have to report to a national sex offender's database for life. Working with a defense attorney with experience in these very complex cases is the best option to ensure you get the lowest possible sentence or have the case dismissed if the situation warrants it.
- If you have been charged with Lewd Lascivious Conduct, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney.
Lewd Lascivious Conduct: Fines and Jail by State
Penalties Vary Greatly by Case! For accurate penalties, talk to the court clerk or a lawyer!
| State | Avg. Fines | Avg. Jail | Avg. Probation | Other |
| Alabama | one thousand dollars | twelve months, | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Alaska | not more than $1000 nor less than $100 | not more than 5 years | 5-7 years | Not Available |
| Arizona | no fine | a maximum sentence of fifteen (15) years in prison and a minimum sentence of seven (7) years in prison | no probation | Not Available |
| Arkansas | not less than one hundred dollar | 5 years | Varies by Case | felony |
| California | Upto $500 | 1 day to 5 years | 168 - 210 months | Not Available |
| Colorado | Varies by Case | maximum sentence of fifteen (15) years | Varies by Case | To comply with sexual offender registration laws |
| Connecticut | 250-500 | not more than 5 years | 3 years | Not Available |
| Delaware | 250-500 | 10 days | 2 yrs | Not Available |
| Florida | 1,000.00 dollar fee if convicted of 1st degree Lewd and Lascivious | They will do time in the state prision or county prison for 1 year not to exceed that time | up to 3 years probation | Individuals convicted of lewd conduct may face prison, fines, probation, community service, psychological treatment, and/or mandatory registration as a sex offender |
| Georgia | 1,000 max | no less than 1 yr no more then 5 | 1 yr | Anger Management |
| Hawaii | up to $1000 | not more than 5 years | 3 years | Christian missionaries also hold this charge, a law from 1820 that was never recended |
| Idaho | 250-500 | 60 days suspended | 2 yrs | Not Available |
| Illinois | $300-$10000 | 1-20years | 2-4 months | community service |
| Indiana | 150-250 | 6 m suspended | 2 yrs | Not Available |
| Iowa | $100+ | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Kansas | up to $100,000 | up to 7 months | Varies by Case | in the presence of a person 16 or more years of age is a class B nonperson misdemeanor; in the presence of a person under 16 years of age is a severity level 9, person felony. |
| Kentucky | from $50 to $10000 | 12 to 14 months in prison | 6 months | up to $500 |
| Louisiana | 250-300 | Varies Widely by Case | 2 years | Not Available |
| Maine | up to $1000 dollars | up to 6 months | up to 1 year | Judge can give both jail time and a fine if they choose. |
| Maryland | 150-250 | 30 days max | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Massachusetts | up to $200 | up to 6 months | up to 6 months | Not Available |
| Michigan | 10000 | 20 years in prison | 12-14 months in jail | Not Available |
| Minnesota | up to 1000 dollars | up to 90 days | Varies by Case | Judge may order counseling for the defendant. |
| Mississippi | up to $500 | up to 6 months | up to 5 years | Not Available |
| Missouri | 500 | one and 90 days | 2 years | community service |
| Montana | Varies by Case | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | felony offense, compulsory psychological treatment |
| Nebraska | $50 to $10000 | 90 days-29years | three years | Class A misdemeanor |
| Nevada | $5000-$20000 | 6months-1year | 2 years | community service |
| New Hampshire | Varies by Case | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | compulsory psychological treatment programs, felony offense, face incarceration |
| New Jersey | 250-500 | 2 week to 30 days | 2-5 years | Not Available |
| New Mexico | $500-$10000 | 3-20 years | 3 years | community service |
| New York | 50-100 | Varies Widely by Case | 2 years | Not Available |
| North Carolina | 150-250 | 6-9 days | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| North Dakota | Up to $10,000; up to 50,000 for 2nd offense | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Ohio | 1500-2000 | Varies Widely by Case | 9 | Not Available |
| Oklahoma | 150-250 | Varies Widely by Case | 2-3 years | Not Available |
| Oregon | 500 | 6 months | 1 year | Not Available |
| Pennsylvania | up to $1000 dollars | up to 12 months | up to 6 months | Community service may be ordered depending on the judge. |
| Rhode Island | 150-300 | over night to 30 days | 2 years max | Not Available |
| South Carolina | upon child under 16: discretion of the court; otherwise: not more than $500 | upon child under 16: up to 15 years; otherwise: not more than 6 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| South Dakota | 500 | 5 years | six months | the death penalty if convicted. |
| Tennessee | Upto $10000 | ten years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Texas | $289 - | 7 years to 15 years | Varies by Case | must register as sex offender |
| Utah | 100000 | not more than 5 years | no probation | Not Available |
| Vermont | 1000 | not more than 1 year | 2 years | Not Available |
| Virginia | $500-$1500 | 1 month | 3 to 6 months | sexual addiction classes |
| Washington | 250-300 | Varies Widely by Case | 5 years max | Not Available |
| West Virginia | 1000 | 1 year | 6 months | Not Available |
| Wisconsin | upto $1000 | upto 90 days (for a repeat offender, the term of imprisonment can increase up to 2 years.) | upto 2 years | Can be ordered an entire list of “conditions†or rules that one must abide while on probation. |
| Wyoming | $250 to $2500 | July 1,. 1996, to June 30, 1997 | five to 99 | 300 |
- If you have been charged with Lewd Lascivious Conduct, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney.
