The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor, or lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, is generally committed when (1) the offender touches the child’s body or gets the child to touch the child’s body, the offender’s body, or someone else; (2) the touching occurs on bare skin or through clothing; (3) the touching was for sexual reasons; and (4) the child was under 14 years of age.

Laws regarding lewd acts with a minor vary from state to state, including the required age of the child and the required elements of the criminal offense. And some states classify the criminal offense of lewd acts with minor as the criminal offense of indecency with a minor, or lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child, or a similar offense.

Some states have expanded the definition of these laws to include looking at the body or private parts of a child in a sexual manner, or causing or forcing a child to witness sex acts in the presence of the child. These states prosecute persons who engage in such activity in online video chat rooms for this criminal offense.

The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor (or similar offense) is generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Wyoming, the criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor is addressed under the state's sexual assault laws. Specifically, Wyoming Statutes § 6-2-314 and § 6-2-315 define and penalize sexual abuse of a minor in varying degrees. The statutes cover acts where an individual subjects a minor to any sexual contact, including touching through clothing or on bare skin, for sexual gratification when the child is below the age of consent, which is 18 years in Wyoming. The severity of the offense and the associated penalties can vary based on factors such as the age of the victim, the age difference between the offender and the victim, and the nature of the act. Wyoming law also addresses the use of technology to commit sexual offenses against minors, including the exploitation of children through the internet or other electronic means under Wyoming Statutes § 6-2-506. This includes situations where an offender may engage in lewd acts with a minor via online video chat rooms. Penalties for these offenses are severe and can include imprisonment, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.