Sex in public has a dangerously appealing ring to it. Unfortunately, when it’s called lewd and lascivious exhibition, not so much. You may have heard recently about the Florida couple arrested for having sex on the beach. They were found guilty of lewd and lascivious exhibition, when a young child caught them in the act. This is a crime, if it’s believed that you engage in an intentional sexual performance in the presence of a child younger than 16, that can lead to serious penalties.
It took the jury only about 15 minutes this past Monday to find the couple guilty. A video of their sex act sealed their fate. It played in the courtroom and showed the man moving on top of the female in a sexual manner in broad daylight. Both will now have to register as sex offenders. The convictions carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
So much for having a little risque fun under the sun. The state is asking for prison time for both defendants. Prosecutors will pursue a harsher sentence for the man, because he has been to prison in the past. Once for almost eight years for a cocaine trafficking conviction.
Many are saying that this crime did not deserve this kind of harsh punishment. Is something as small as this worth ruining two lives? They will be labeled as sex offenders. That will stick with them forever and this whole ordeal will ruin their lives. They won’t be the last couple caught having sex on the beach, so you can bet criminal defense attorneys will continue to get calls by potential clients for lewd and lascivious charges.
