A person generally commits the criminal offense of public lewdness or lewd conduct in public if the person knowingly engages in any of the following acts in a public place—or, if not in a public place, the person is reckless about whether another is present who will be offended or alarmed by the person’s (1) act of sexual intercourse; (2) act of deviate sexual intercourse; (3) act of sexual contact with a person’s own private parts or those of another.

Public lewdness laws vary from state to state, and some states define and charge such criminal offenses under indecent exposure laws. Public lewdness is usually a misdemeanor offense, but may be a felony offense under some circumstances. And in some states a conviction for public lewdness may require the defendant to register as a sex offender.

In Florida, the criminal offense of public lewdness is generally covered under Florida Statute 800.03, which addresses the crime of exposure of sexual organs. The law makes it unlawful for a person to expose or exhibit their sexual organs in a public place, or on the private premises of another, or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises, in a vulgar or indecent manner. This includes acts of sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, and sexual contact in public places, or where there is a likelihood of being observed by others who may be offended or alarmed. Public lewdness in Florida is typically classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, which can result in penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both. However, under certain circumstances, such as repeat offenses or if the act is committed in the presence of a minor, the charges can be more severe. Florida does not typically require individuals convicted of public lewdness to register as sex offenders, unless the offense involves minors or meets certain criteria under Florida's sexual offender laws.