Busted for Urinating in Public in Queens? Protect Your Rights with a Lawyer

Busted for Urinating in Public in Queens? Protect Your Rights with a Lawyer

Getting busted for peeing in public in Queens can be super embarrassing and leave you feeling ashamed. But don’t worry – it happens to lots of people, especially after a night out drinking. This article will give you the down low on the law, penalties, and your rights so you can figure out your next steps.

The Charges

There’s a few laws the cops might slap you with for public urination in Queens:

• Public Lewdness – NY Penal Law 245.00 – this is when you intentionally expose your private parts in a lewd way in public. It’s a misdemeanor.
• Exposure of a Person – NY Penal Law 245.01 – a violation for exposing yourself in public.
• Section 16-118 – Public Urination – an NYC law making it illegal to pee in public. Also a violation.

So if your just peeing the cops will probably hit you with 16-118 or 245.01 since your not doing it to be “lewd.” But if they think your getting your jollies by whipping little Jimmy out in the park at 3am, they’ll go with the Public Lewdness charge instead.

Penalties

If it’s your first offense, a public urination charge probably won’t lead to jail time. More likely you’ll end up with a fine of $50-500, probation, or community service. But it’s still a criminal record if your convicted, which ain’t cool.

The good thing is the Exposure of a Person and 16-118 Public Urination charges are just violations – not misdemeanors. That means if you keep your nose clean it won’t end up on your permanent record. Thank god!

Fighting the Charges

Don’t just bend over and take it if the cops charge you with indecent exposure for taking a leak next to a dumpster. There’s a few solid defenses that could get the charges tossed out:

• Wrong person – if the cops didn’t actually see your junk and just assumed it was you peeing, make them prove it!
• Medical issue – gotta go when you gotta go. If you have a medical problem like a weak bladder that makes holding it impossible, tell the judge.
• Private property – if you were peeing in an alley or somewhere not completely public, you may not have been exposing yourself in a “public place.”

Your lawyer may also be able to get the charges reduced or plead it down so you end up with just a violation for disorderly conduct instead of a misdemeanor public lewdness charge. That’s a way better outcome.

Finding a Lawyer

If you do get slapped with a ticket or summons for public urination, don’t go it alone. Hire a good criminal defense lawyer in Queens to fight for you. They know all the defenses and how to work the system to get charges reduced or dismissed.

Google “Queens criminal defense lawyer” or ask friends for recommendations. Find someone experienced with public lewdness and exposure cases. Meet with a few lawyers before choosing one. Paying a few hundred bucks for a lawyer is way better than ending up with a criminal record that could screw up your job or worse.

Takeaways

• Public urination can lead to public lewdness, exposure of a person, or NYC public urination charges
• Penalties may include fines, probation, community service
• Violation charges won’t create a permanent criminal record
• Fight the charges – you may be able to get them dismissed
• Hire a Queens criminal lawyer to defend you and protect your rights

So don’t panic if you find yourself in cuffs for peeing behind a dumpster. Call a lawyer, listen to their advice, and take steps to protect yourself. You got this!