Mr. Ward, a 36-year-old homeless man, has been arrested, and accused, of indecent exposure in Murrieta, California. This is a small story but it caught my attention because out of all the alleged sex offenses which receive news coverage, indecent exposure may be the sex crime we hear the least about in southern California.

The idea of flashing, which legally would be charged as indecent exposure in California, is something which most members of society seem to think is funny in the context of wacky college tradition. However, clearly when there is an alleged incident of indecent exposure by a registered sex offender, and the alleged exposure occurs to two minor girls, this behavior will appear troubling to most.

As a sex crimes defense attorney in Los Angeles, I have handled numerous indecent exposure cases and I often find that with this particular type of sex offense, the person has a real addiction/compulsion or inability to control him or herself from engaging in the inappropriate exposure conduct. I have also found that therapy and counseling can truly have an impact when the conduct is limited to the compulsion to flash others, or to expose oneself to others.

Indecent exposure is generally a misdemeanor sex crime in California, unless there are prior sex crimes committed by the person, but even as a misdemeanor this criminal charge still carries, as a penalty, up to one year in the county jail and mandatory sex registration for life.

If you, or a loved one, has been accused of a sex crime, then call the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein today for a free, confidential consultation with an aggressive and experienced sex crimes attorney: (888) 445-6313.