Will I Have To Register as a Sex Offender for Public Indecency in Illinois?

 Posted on May 31, 2025 in Sex Offenses

Public indecency charges can sometimes come out of nowhere. Many people who are accused of public indecency did not know that their actions could result in criminal charges and are not even aware of what constitutes public indecency when they are charged. Others have been down this road before and could be looking at felony charges that may result in registering as a sex offender if convicted.

If you are facing an upcoming legal battle for an inappropriate sexual act in public, you need an experienced and aggressive Naperville, IL public indecency defense attorney to help you understand the allegations against you and what you can do to challenge them.

What is Public Indecency in Illinois?

Illinois statute 720 ILCS 5/11-30 defines the crime of public indecency as the act of sexual conduct or penetration in a public place or committing lewd exposure of the body with the intention to arouse someone, including yourself, or to satisfy a sexual desire in a public place. Essentially, the law prohibits you from doing anything sexually inappropriate or explicit in a place where you should have no reasonable expectation of privacy, and it applies to anyone age 17 or older.

Note that the sexual acts are not prohibited for being illegal in and of themselves. The illegality of the action refers to the location where it occurs. According to the law, a public place is anywhere that you could expect to be viewed by others, which may sound very subjective. Ultimately, the court will decide whether the location in your case is defined as a public place, and an experienced legal representative may be able to argue that you had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Is Sex Offender Registration Part of the Penalties for Public Indecency in Illinois?

In Illinois, public indecency is a sex crime and a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by less than a year in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and probation. However, it can become a Class 4 felony if you have two or more prior convictions for public indecency, or if you committed the crime at or near a school when children were present.

If convicted of a felony sex crime in Illinois, you could be required to register as a sex offender. This consequence will follow you through life, even after you have served your time and paid your fines. Being on the sex offender registry is harmful to your reputation and can profoundly affect everything from your social relationships to your housing and employment opportunities. If you are facing a felony charge, your attorney can help you fight the charges and try to avoid the harsher penalties.

Contact a Naperville, IL Public Indecency Defense Attorney Today

Being charged with public indecency is not something to take lightly. At the Law Office of Philip R. Nathe, we understand the severity of these charges and the necessity for a well-crafted defense. Our Illinois public indecency defense lawyer was an assistant state’s attorney and knows the criminal process from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. Call 630-416-7600 to schedule your free consultation today and learn more about the legal options available in your case.