If I'm naked in my own house and someone outside sees in, can I be arrested for indecent exposure?

Question

I should add that I'm only curious.

Answer 1

The law states (UK) that if it causes offence to a passer by then you can be prosecuted.

Answer 2

In Canada, if you stand in front of your picture window with knowledge that you can be seen from the street and with intent to expose yourself to children on the street you could be charged. The cases I have heard about that were prosecuted usually involve someone also committing an indecent act at the same time rather than just standing there naked. If someone catches a glimpse of you walking from the bathroom to the bedroom, nope.

Note: In Canada the law was struck down for the indecent exposure thing for simple nudity. A woman can remove her top in public as long as there is no sexual purpose to it. The case law was made by a woman who went topless when she was mowing her lawn on a very hot day. She was charged and was found not guilty at the supreme court level.

Answer 3

No, most definitely not, and in fact the person looking in could be guilty of voyuerism. This was in the sex offences 2002 act where being naked in your own home could not be classed as indecent, and in fact 'indecent exposure' was removed from the staute books as a crime and replaced by a law that wsa much less general. If you were stood infront of your window which was open to view from the road by anyone passing by, and you were performing a sexual act, then there are laws against that, but just being naked, no. For all those responding with the laws in America, please note that this is on the UK and Ireland baord, and therefore laws in America are of no interest or significance to this questioner.

Answer 4

As far as I am aware, this is not a crime of strict liability in England, so if you were prosecuted, the Crown would have not only to prove that you had done the act, but that you had a guilty motive in doing so. - in other words, if you are going about your normal activities, naked, in your home, you cannot be prosecuted.

It is illegal, and a summary offence, for any person "wilfully, openly, lewdly and obscenely to expose his person with intent to insult any female". (Vagrancy Act 1824, s 4; Town Police Clauses Act 1847 s 28). Therefore you would have to be standing in your window area or sunbathing naked in your front garden in view of the world before the long arm of the Law could grasp your short arm.

Incidentally, the Town Police Clauses Act also makes it illegal to leave a bucket unattended on the pavement between the hours of 16.00 and 08.00.

Answer 5

If you're a woman naked in her own house and a man sees, the man can be arrested for being a peeping tom.

If you're a man naked in his own house and a woman sees, the man can be arrested for indecent exposure

Answer 6

Completely depends on your intention. If you were naked in your own house stood by a window with the intention of others seeing you, then yes!
However if you were in your own house getting into the bath and someone happened to see you, then no!
By the way - the dude that stated he fought the House of Commons to change the laws - its the Sexual Offences Act 2003 - not 2002!

Answer 7

If you are just going about your business and not making a scene then I doubt you would be charged. Personally, I'd be afraid to try and press charges because the first thing the cops would say is "why were you looking in the window in the first place?" Of course I'm naked in my home 99% of the time, so I'd never take offense to seeing someone else anyway.

Answer 8

Maybe ... maybe not!
I know if you were in your yard and have erected a privacy fence and someone peers through the fence then you will not be charged or prosecuted.
Inside your house will depend on your 'intent'. First it is your word against the other person.
Remember nudism is protected under free speech statute.
In other words if you are carrying a sign saying you are lobbying for nudism you can be naked while carrying the sign.
I am always naked in my house and yard.

Answer 9

This is a good question, unless you are deliberately exposing yourself to cause distress or offence to anyone then it would be hard to prove indecent exposure, as they we have to prove intent. a couple of years ago the sex offences law changed under sect 64/65 with regard to exposure, if for example you are a naturist you could use that as your defence, again you would have to prove that. There is another way, if you are a someone that the police want to mess around or you are awkward to the officers is they come and advise you, they could arrest you for conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Answer 10

You'd be safest checking the elements of an indecent exposure in your own state, but my gut reaction is hell no! Generally such an offense would almost always have to take place in public for you to be arrested. Keep in mind that if you KNOW the person is looking in, and you voluntarily expose yourself, that might be a criminal act.

Answer 11

Ignore all those people who say it is fine. The law is clear on this matter. You are free to wander naked in your own home, but if someone outside your home gets such an eyefull they are offended by you then you could be prosecuted. In practice, someone with half a brain could pass this off as a mistake and prob avoid prosecution but I wouldnt make a habit of getting your winter veg too near the windows!!