Someone recently told me that being caught driving nude in the US will result in you being charges with a felony offence and a label for life as a sex offender.
Is this really true? I just did a long cross country drive last summer, and the majority of the time I was nude and enjoying the sunshine, so this comes as a huge surprise to me.
Is this a fact or is it just another urban myth?
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- EV
evdriverMar 3, 2010Overall, I think that AU is a much more enlightened country; at least much less provincial than the US. It's my understanding that the AU Aborigines go naked or nearly so most of the time and suffer no negative consequences, not even a sunburn. I an not sure how things are in the developed areas. I know that QL has several designated CO beaches but I don't know about the other states/provinces. I wouldn't mind an education because I'd like to visit AU, NZ and TZ sometime next year. It may be my final opportunity.
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catbirdMar 4, 2010[quote]Getting on an SO list is probably THE easiest thing in the world. Doesn't even take evidence beyond finger pointing.[/quote] And it is the hardest to get off the list.ReactReply - CO
Curt, or CowboyMar 4, 2010Is it worth the risk ?
The original poster mentioned a cross-country trip.
Here in the Good Ole U. S. of A. I personally do know of one case ( not at all nudity or sexually related in any way ) where a permit issued by one state was used as "probable cause" in another state. The individual was detained several hours, searched, and suffered a variety of indignities simply because his home state saw fit to grant him a permit, and he had the audacity to be the same person in another state, who's initials are N.J. but shall remain nameless.
Surprising, since this is the same country that arrests Secret Service agents assigned to protect the President for carrying //REDACTED//
Probably, I've violated national security by mentioning this well known and well publicized , uh..... hear-say.
Is it worth the risk ?ReactReply - JA
jasonMar 4, 2010i don't think urinating in public gets you a sex offender status. an indecent exposure maybe, but it is based on the intention of the act. if you are in an alley by a dumpster and not waving it around for everyone to see then its not a sexual act. it usually takes a lewd and lacivious charge or worse to get sex offender status.
ReactReply - CD
Cheri Donna DawsonMar 5, 2010[quote]i don't think urinating in public gets you a sex offender status. an indecent exposure maybe, but it is based on the intention of the act. if you are in an alley by a dumpster and not waving it around for everyone to see then its not a sexual act. it usually takes a lewd and lacivious charge or worse to get sex offender status. [/quote] Wrong. It's happened to friends of ours that were just nude in the wrong place.ReactReply - JAjasonMar 5, 2010
were these friends in ohio? because i was discussing ohio.
ReactReply - CDCheri Donna DawsonMay 18, 2010[quote]You can be labled a sex offender for something as innoscent as taking a piss on the side of the road. The law sucks and needs to be changed. It shoud be specific to a sexual offence against another person. Not nudity etc....[/quote] There are laws in many states that read it's unlawful to urinate somewhere other than toilet facilitiesReactReply
- MA
macnudeMay 18, 2010[quote]I believe this question should be discussed in the context of what constitutes “healthy” nudism. As nudists, we practice our beliefs with respect for others and with respect for what others may believe, even if those views run contrary to our views. Societal norms shape laws and we do our best to abide by them. Any activity which when practiced are not welcomed by others tends to nudge over the line into legality, not to mention basic propriety. When we drive nude – and yes, I must admit that I have done that (many more times than once) – we risk imposing our views on others who may not welcome them. I practice nudity at home yet I do not stand in the front window. I go to camps and resorts where I can associate with those who share my views in a safe environment. I am all in favor of promoting nudism in a clean, healthy forum. In my mind, daring behavior – while fun as all get out – begins to cross the line into “unhealthy” nudism for several reasons. Among them: it runs the risk of imposing on others and the intent is questionable. If our goal is to advance the good and healthy aspects of social nudity then we would have to agree that nude driving is inconsistent with that goal. These are just my views, offered in order to stimulate positive discussion. Thanks.[/quote] Well said. Thank youReactReply - MEMemberMay 18, 2010[quote][quote]Aren’t you allowed to be naked at your own home???[/quote] Remember the thread about a guy who was harassed for being naked in his own home because a trespasser walking on his property looked in his window and saw him? Nothing is safe any more.[/quote] wow.. this is crazy.. America needs to step it up and protect uts peopleReactReply
- NKnkdjimMay 20, 2010
There was acouple that drove a truck cross country. One night they had an accident and when the cops showed up and were told they were both nude when it happened they both got a ticket for indecent behavior! They used the argument that their truck was their home since they almost lived in it, thus they could be nude in their own home. It didnt work! They both have this on their record now!
ReactReply - NKnkdjimMay 20, 2010
There was acouple that drove a truck cross country. One night they had an accident and when the cops showed up and were told they were both nude when it happened they both got a ticket for indecent behavior! They used the argument that their truck was their home since they almost lived in it, thus they could be nude in their own home. It didnt work! They both have this on their record now!
ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterMay 20, 2010
being ticketed for being nude in a truck sucks!
So much for being honest with the authorities!
When stopped by a cop, ALWAYS deny deny deny.ReactReply - CDCheri Donna DawsonMay 21, 2010[quote]being ticketed for being nude in a truck sucks! So much for being honest with the authorities! When stopped by a cop, ALWAYS deny deny deny.[/quote] AND...you don't have to answer any questions except "have you been drinking?" or at the border crossings, "do you have any contraband?" or allow them to search your vehicle without probable causeReactReply
- JAjasonMay 21, 2010
and minor offense traffic violations aren't probable cause.
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AMay 23, 2010Must say, reading this thread makes me glad to live in a country where nudity is not an offence and in most of Europe it is exactly the same way. Indecent exposure consists only if sexual acts involved and among people who seen some who are offended by that. So even sex in the bushes if seen by police is a crime, only if someone reports it causes it to be investigated.
ReactReply - JPjpz729Jun 5, 2010
Now that's what I call living in a FREE country.
ReactReply - JA
JackNeilsonAug 5, 2010From the Sarasota Herald Tribune Is this guy going to be labelled as a sex offender? Notice that his picture is printed and the area in which he resides while the girls are not named.http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100804/BREAKING/100809882/0/news?tc=arWhat was the cop thinking to lay these charges?ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 5, 2010
Maybe I should have included it in the post but post #59 is meant to be read as sarcasm.Sorry.
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 5, 2010Explanations of the laws regarding picture taking from Bert P. Krages, Attorney At Law - Oregon (excerpts)The General RuleThe general rule in the United States is that anyone may take photographs of whatever they want when they are in a public place or places where they have permission to take photographs. Absent a specific legal prohibition such as a statute or ordinance, you are legally entitled to take photographs. Examples of places that are traditionally considered public are streets, sidewalks, and public parks. In most places, you may reasonably assume that taking photographs is allowed and that you do not need explicit permission. Members of the public have a very limited scope of privacy rights when they are in public places. Basically, anyone can be photographed without their consent except when they have secluded themselves in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy such as dressing rooms, restrooms, medical facilities, and inside their homes.Permissible SubjectsDespite misconceptions to the contrary, the following subjects can almost always be photographed lawfully from public places: accident and fire scenes children celebrities bridges and other infrastructure residential and commercial buildings industrial facilities and public utilities transportation facilities (e.g., airports) Superfund sites criminal activities law enforcement officersWho Is Likely to Violate Your RightsMost confrontations are started by security guards and employees of organizations who fear photography. The most common reason given is security but often such persons have no articulated reason. Security is rarely a legitimate reason for restricting photography. On occasion, law enforcement officers may object to photography but most understand that people have the right to take photographs and do not interfere with photographers. They do have the right to keep you away from areas where you may impede their activities or endanger safety. However, they do not have the legal right to prohibit you from taking photographs from other locations. Unfortunately as minors are involved regardless of whether he knew their ages at the time the picture was taken they will probably find him guilty of the chargesReactReply
- NUnudebob2000May 19, 2011Here is the florida law... Here's what the Florida courts have to say about that. The following is from Florida Statute 800.03: [quote]It shall be unlawful for any person to expose or exhibit hissexualorgans in any 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, or so to expose orexhibithis person in such place, or to go or to benakedin such place. Provided, however, this section shall not be construed to prohibit the exposure of such or the person inany place provided or set apart for that purpose. [/quote] The Florida Supreme Court and lower courts have repeatedly ruled that mere nudity (as in sunbathing andskinny-dipping) is not in violation of this law.Nudityis notlewd,lascivious, orindecent exposure. Clothing-optional recreation does not harm the public's health, safety, welfare, or morals. There are no harmful "secondary contrary effects" of skinny-dipping or the sight of a person in thenaturalstate of being unclothed on a public beach.The public has nothing to fear from a live nude body.(Emphasis added.) What does this mean to you, dearnoder? It means that as long as you are notboinking,jacking or jilling offwhere other people can see you -- either at a public beach or park or on your or someone else's property -- you are free to walk around without wearing clothes. Of course, whentightropewalking thebarelegalhighwire of public nudity, a little commonsense is in order. First, if you have the urge to be naked in public, do it at a recognizednude beachor resort. Obey their rules andenjoy yourself. Secondly, if you plan to go natural athome, keep the curtains to largepicture windows closed. In your backyard, assure that you aren't obvious to your neighbors, no matter how free-thinking you may believe them to be. This doesn't mean you have to hide on your own property, but you should be visually secure enough that someone can't see you unless they are actually trying tosnoop. Normal fencing or tall shrubbery should be all you need to transform your backyard in to a private nudist club. For example, my backyard is bordered by a tall fence on thenorthside. Ajungleof overgrown shrubbery covers thewestside. My house blocks out any view from theeast. On thesouthside of the yard is a low fence over which I can chat with my neighbor. Any time I want toread a book,weed the gardenor clean thepoolin mybirthday suit, I make sure it is during hours when my neighbors are away. If they are home, I situate myself so I am well hidden and stealthfully slip on some shorts if I feel like doing any puttering. So at least in theSunshine State, if you want to work on your all-over tan and then go for a swim, feel free. After all, there is nothing to fear. http://www.fanr.org/apollobeach/legal.htmReactReply
- MEMemberMay 19, 2011As many have said, it varies from state to state, and according to the reaction of the investigating officer and the prosecutor, but I can tell you that you really don't want to risk it in Arkansas where it's not only illegal to be nude infront of a person of the opposite sex unless it's your doctor or your spouse, it's illegal to try to change the law! Arkansas's got one of the most restrictive laws on nudity in the nation, various nudist websites who've done the comparisons claim. Arkansas law (Sec. 5-68-204) prohibits persons from exposing their “private parts” to anyone except a spouse or doctor. Not only can we not go about in the nude, we can't even “advocate, demonstrate, or promote” nudity. Which would make it illegal to try and change the law. (http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/naked-comes-the-bather/Content?oid=865194) ***Arkansas Law: "Section 5-68-204. You may not be nude in Arkansas in the presence of any person of the opposite sex who is not your spouse. It shall be unlawful for any person, club, camp, corporation, partnership, association, or organization to advocate, demonstrate, or promote nudism, or for any person to rent, lease, or otherwise permit his land, premises, or buildings to be used for the purpose of advocating, demonstrating, or promoting nudism" (Nudist Law). 5-68-204. Nudism (a) The term "nudism" as used in this section is defined to be the act or acts of a person or persons congregating or gathering with his, her, or their private parts exposed in the presence of one (1) or more persons of the opposite sex as a form of social practice. (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the enumerated acts when: (1) The purpose of the person committing the act or acts is to render medical or surgical treatment, or to determine the need for medical or surgical treatment, or to cleanse such sexual part, and the person committing such act is a licensed physician, as defined by §17-80-101, or any such physician of a sister state making a professional call into Arkansas, or the person committing any such act did so under the professional direction of any such physician, or the person committing any such act is a nurse duly registered or licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nurse Examiners; or (2) When the persons are married legally one to another. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person, club, camp, corporation, partnership, association, or organization to advocate, demonstrate, or promote nudism, or for any person to rent, lease, or otherwise permit his land, premises, or buildings to be used for the purpose of advocating, demonstrating, or promoting nudism (d) Any person, club, camp, corporation, partnership, association, or organization violating any of the provisions of § 5-68-204 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in any sum not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment for each offense. ________________________ § 5-14-112. Indecent exposure. (a)(1) A person commits indecent exposure if, with purpose to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of himself or of any other person, he exposes his sex organs: (A) In a public place or public view; or (B) Under circumstances in which he knows his conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm. (2) Indecent exposure is a Class A misdemeanor. (b)(1) A person commits indecent exposure to a person under the age of twelve (12) years if, with the purpose to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of himself or of any other person he purposefully exposes his sex organs to a person under the age of twelve (12) years. (2) Indecent exposure to a person the age of twelve (12) years and under is a Class D felony. Courtesy of a nudistworld member who did a ton of research for one of our members in Arkansas.ReactReply
- RU
ruby-belleMay 23, 2011after reading this earler today, I ask my Husband who is friends with a local cop. he realy didnt know the answer so he ask his dispatch, this is tyhe answer we got for High Point NC. if you are cought driving nude. You will go to jail, the judge will make the ruling as to if you will be labled a sex offender or not. But the chances are pretty good you will about 75% if you are a man about 50/50 if you are a woman.
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ThomasMay 25, 2011Do not play with fire! Not unless you want to get burned!~ThomasReactReply - MU
muskate16Jun 4, 2011Good point rabbitnbunny! Things that were ok like taking pics of kids in the tub, they are now calling child pornography! I am not 100% sure on the laws, but why take the chance?? XX Kate
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