Can You Be Charged With Indecent Exposure or Indecent Liberties in Your Own Home?

Yes. For indecent exposure, if someone claims they saw you nude through a window or patio door and felt offended, police may pursue charges—even if you were on private property. These cases often involve neighbors or building residents and hinge on:

• The layout of the home or apartment
• Sightlines and distances
• Timing of the alleged incident
• Credibility of the witness

In cases involving indecent liberties, the alleged conduct may occur in a private home but involve accusations of inappropriate behavior toward a minor—such as touching, comments, or suggestive actions. These cases are highly fact-sensitive and often lack physical evidence.

Patrick Roberts understands how these nuances impact credibility and reasonable expectations of privacy. As a former prosecutor, he’s reviewed—and dismissed—cases like these when the facts didn’t add up.

Is Indecent Exposure or Indecent Liberties a Felony in North Carolina?

Typically, indecent exposure is a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, certain circumstances can elevate the charge to a felony, including:

• Exposure involving a minor
• Incidents near a school or playground
• Repeated offenses or aggravating conduct

Separately, indecent liberties with a minor is always a felony in North Carolina. It is charged as a Class F felony and involves allegations of lewd or lascivious behavior toward a child under the age of 16—regardless of physical contact.

Felony-level indecent exposure or indecent liberties may lead to:

• Extended jail or prison time
• Mandatory registration on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry
• Supervised probation with behavior restrictions
• Barriers to employment, housing, and education

Preventing a felony charge—or getting it reduced—is a critical part of your defense. Patrick Roberts develops strategies that target the specific elements prosecutors must prove—and seeks dismissal when they can’t.

Proven Defense Strategies for Indecent Exposure and Indecent Liberties Cases in Raleigh

Defending against indecent exposure or indecent liberties charges requires close examination of context, evidence, and witness reliability. While these cases differ in their legal elements, both often rely on subjective accounts and circumstantial evidence. Common defense strategies include:

• No intent to offend, expose, or arouse
• Obstructed or limited visibility
• Inconsistent or biased witness testimony
• Lack of credible identification
• Contradictory digital evidence (e.g., surveillance video, timestamps, location data)

Each case is approached with fresh eyes. In one matter, Patrick Roberts represented a client accused of inappropriate conduct at a relative’s daycare facility. After conducting a thorough private investigation, Roberts gathered enough evidence to persuade prosecutors to drop the case entirely before charges were filed.

Read the full case result

What Sets Patrick Roberts Apart in Indecent Exposure and Indecent Liberties Defense

Your criminal defense attorney should be equipped to handle the stigma, legal intricacies, and high stakes of sex-related charges—whether for indecent exposure or indecent liberties with a minor. What sets Patrick Roberts apart:

• 20+ years of courtroom experience on both sides of the aisle
• Former sex crimes prosecutor in multiple North Carolina counties
• National-level trial training from NCDC and Gerry Spence College
• Academic training from Duke and Johns Hopkins
• A personalized, discreet approach to every case

This background is especially critical in cases where charges are filed based on perception, not hard evidence—and where the consequences can include felony convictions and mandatory registration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indecent Exposure and Indecent Liberties in North Carolina

Can I be charged even if I didn’t mean to expose myself?
Yes. For indecent exposure, intent is a factor but not always a requirement. Even accidental exposure can lead to charges depending on the setting and how it was perceived. For indecent liberties, intent to gratify sexual desire or arouse is typically a required element.

Will this appear on a background check?
Yes. Any criminal charge—especially those related to sex offenses like indecent exposure or indecent liberties—can appear in background checks and significantly affect job opportunities, professional licensing, or housing eligibility.

Can I be required to register as a sex offender?
Possibly. Felony-level indecent exposure or any conviction for indecent liberties with a minor can lead to mandatory registration on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry.

Is it possible to have the charge dropped or dismissed?
Yes. With experienced legal defense, charges can be reduced or dismissed, particularly in first-time offense cases or when evidence is weak or inconsistent. Patrick Roberts has successfully prevented formal charges and secured dismissals pre-trial.

What if I was seen in my own home?
Even if the alleged exposure happened inside your private residence, charges can still be filed if someone outside claims to have been offended. For indecent liberties, if the accusation involves a minor—even in a domestic setting—the stakes are significantly higher and require swift legal action.

Take the First Step Toward Defending Your Future

Don’t wait until a court date is set. If you’ve been charged with indecent exposure or indecent liberties in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, or anywhere in Wake or Durham County, your defense begins now. Elite criminal defense means aggressive protection of your rights, your record, and your reputation.

Call 919-746-7206 or contact us online today to speak confidentially with a skilled indecent exposure attorney or an experienced indecent liberties lawyer in Raleigh, NC.