Urinating in Public

[Connecticutgirl]

Hello
About 5 years ago some girlfriends and I were at Bike Week in Daytona - we were caught urinating in a private parking lot and received a ticket to pay a fine...does anyone know if this is considered a criminal offense? When filling out an application with a company that does a criminal background check and they ask if you have been convicted of a crime - do we need to click yes...thanks

[Switchback]

That should NOT be considered a criminal offense in most jurisdictions.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

In Virginia, the laws against public urination would be local ordinances, not state law, so the severity of the offense and its punishment varies from county to county depending on how the ordinance was written. In Va. Beach, it is a Class 4 misdemeanor (fine only), but in Hanover County, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which could carry jail time in addition to fines.

I charged a female with it just a few months ago, along with indecent exposure for the pants drop to perform the act. Two Class 1 misdemeanors because she couldn't be bothered to walk thirty yards to an available restroom.

Florida may be different.

[Cat_Doc]

I stay away from the indecent exposure charges because that can very well place a sex offender tag on someone (at least in this state) who did not possess the intent for such. I should clarify that this applies to someone who is at least attempting to conceal their urination from public view. Some jerk (male or female) whipping it out or dropping their pants where a child or other person of sensitive nature may easily observe them deserves increased corrective punishment.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

She was in the public visitation hallway of the jail and children were present in the area (fortunately none happened to come around the corner right at that moment) but she made no effort to be discrete, according to the camera recording.

[retdetsgt]

In Virginia, the laws against public urination would be local ordinances, not state law, so the severity of the offense and its punishment varies from county to county depending on how the ordinance was written.

Same here. However, it's a criminal conviction, not a violation inside the city of Portland, Oregon at least. You would have to list it as an arrest and conviction

But like Cat_Doc said, since the inception of sex offender tags, courts are careful to distinguish between having too many beers and having to go and getting a sexual thrill out of exposing one's self. In fact, in the Oregon sex crime of indecent exposure, one of the elements is the person was doing it for self gratification. There's not much sexual about having to "go" really bad.

[Cat_Doc]

Same here. However, it's a criminal conviction, not a violation inside the city of Portland, Oregon at least. You would have to list it as an arrest and conviction

But like Cat_Doc said, since the inception of sex offender tags, courts are careful to distinguish between having too many beers and having to go and getting a sexual thrill out of exposing one's self. In fact, in the Oregon sex crime of indecent exposure, one of the elements is the person was doing it for self gratification. There's not much sexual about having to "go" really bad.

We may be a bit archaic here, unless they (DOC) have changed it. I remember actually feeling a bit bad for an inmate who got put on a sex offender yard because he had an "indecent exposure" misd conviction for pissing behind a store. Now, before anyone rolls their eyes, I did check his pre-sentence report and verified this. (I had no compassion for the guy doing time for doing crime, but a sex offender tag is a big deal in prison.)

[phantasm]

in NYC its public helath law, local law, and only a violation (infraction), not a crime (misdemeanor/felony).

[Connecticutgirl]

Thanks for your responses - FYI-it happened where no one around - the owner of the private lot gave us permission - NO - that does not make it right - it was a BAD judgement call on us - we are older women and most of us have kids and a family.......we all make mistakes in our lives.....I was just curious if I needed to mark yes on the application under have you been charged with a crime - again, we were ticketed to pay a mail in fine...took place in Florida.....thanks

[nikerret]

Too little information to make a determination. Please post pics.

[greg72982]

Too little information to make a determination. Please post pics.

Are you into golden showers?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Too little information to make a determination. Please post pics.

Be careful what you wish for.