New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 245.00 — Public lewdness
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 245: Offenses Against Public Sensibilities, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 245.00
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
245.00 Public lewdness.
A person is guilty of public lewdness when he or she intentionally
exposes the private or intimate parts of his or her body in a lewd
manner or commits any other lewd act: (a) in a public place, or (b) (i)
in private premises under circumstances in which he or she may readily
be observed from either a public place or from other private premises,
and with intent that he or she be so observed, or (ii) while
trespassing, as defined in section 140.05 of this part, in a dwelling as
defined in subdivision three of section 140.00 of this part, under
circumstances in which he or she is observed by a lawful occupant.
Public lewdness is a class B misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What class of misdemeanor is public lewdness in New York?
Public lewdness is a Class B Misdemeanor in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 245.00.
Which New York statute covers public lewdness?
Public lewdness is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 245.00 (Public lewdness).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.