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Outraging Public Decency

Being convicted of the common law offence of outraging public decency could lead to various punishments, including prison sentences in some instances. If you have been accused of outraging public decency, you must receive legal advice as soon as possible.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our specialist criminal defence solicitors have over 45 years of experience. This means that our team have previously handled all manner of cases, including those involving allegations of outraging public decency, putting us in the best possible position to build the strongest possible defence against the allegations you are facing.

We will always carefully plan your outraging public decency defence to help you avoid conviction. Where this is impossible, we will take every step to mitigate any penalties handed out.

Our highly experienced outraging public decency solicitors provide:

  • 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
  • Representation anywhere in England and Wales
  • Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
  • Clear, practical legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

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Speak to our outraging public decency solicitors today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options when defending allegations of outraging public decency, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding outraging public decency charges, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

Our expertise with outraging public decency

Our solicitors have over 45 years of experience supporting individuals accused of a wide range of offences, including outraging public decency.

This experience, along with our team’s in-depth knowledge of the offence, means that we are well-placed to build a robust defence against any allegations you face.

Offences of outraging public decency are treated seriously and could result in a prison sentence in some cases. Having specialist legal advice from a team that has a detailed understanding of the offence will be essential if you are to achieve a positive outcome.

Our team includes several police station representatives who will be on hand to provide 24/7 support if you are arrested for outraging public decency.

We have expertise in handling the various types of evidence the prosecution typically refers to in these types of cases, so we will know where to identify flaws in the case being presented and how evidence can also be used to support your defence.

Over the years, we have developed strong relationships with many of the country’s leading criminal defence barristers. If your case goes to trial, you can be confident that you will receive the highest standard of legal advice and representation.

We are recognised for our ability to handle criminal law matters successfully through our Law Society accreditation for Criminal Litigation. We also hold the Lexcel accreditation for our consistently high standards of legal practice.

Pre-charge bail

The police may interview you if you are accused of outraging public decency. Following an interview, you may be released on pre-charge bail. This is usually just referred to as being released on bail.

If you are released on pre-charge bail, you will usually be subject to various bail conditions. Common conditions include restrictions on movement or being required to visit the police station at designated times.

To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail, please use the links provided below:

Fees and funding

We will always be open and upfront when it comes to legal fees.

Legal Aid may be available in some cases, but this depends on the seriousness of the case and whether it will justify the grant of public funding.

To find out more about the way we handle fees (both Legal Aid and private fees), please use the links provided below:

Related offences

We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to outraging public decency, including:

Related cases

Common questions about outraging public decency

What is outraging public decency?

‘Public decency’ refers to a general level of behaviour deemed acceptable to the public. Any acts which would be considered to be obscene, lewd or disgusting by the public could be seen as ‘outraging public decency’.

To commit the offence of outraging public decency, the act must have occurred in a public place where two or more people were in a position to witness the act. It does not matter whether anyone actually saw the act, provided it was a realistic possibility that they could have done. It is also irrelevant whether the persons present were personally offended by it; the key question is whether the act is considered to have outraged the minimum standards of public decency as assessed by a jury.

Examples of outraging public decency include:

  • Public sex acts
  • Public urination or defecation
  • Publication of outrageous material
  • Wearing offensive clothing

What is the maximum sentence for outraging public decency?

Outraging public decency is a common law offence, and thus the maximum sentence for outraging public decency is an unlimited prison sentence and/or an unlimited fine. Unfortunately, there are also no Sentencing Guidelines for this offence, however where the offence relates to public sex acts, it may be appropriate for a judge to sentence by reference to the guidelines for exposure, which carries a maximum sentence of 2 years’ custody, with the average sentence being between a fine and 1 year’s custody.

What defence is there against outraging public decency?

The defences available to an allegation of outraging public decency will depend on the circumstances of the case. For example, a defence could centre around proving that the alleged act did not take place or, if there is evidence that it did take place, it was not severe enough to have been considered to have outraged public decency.

Defences could also centre around a lack of persons present who could have seen the act.

What is the two-person rule?

For an act to have outraged public decency, it must have happened in a public place where two or more persons were in a position to have seen it. This is to prove that someone engaged in the act in a place where the public could in fact have been outraged, regardless of whether they were so outraged.

Contact our outraging public decency solicitors now

If you are due to attend the police station for interview, have been accused of outraging public decency, or require any urgent specialist advice or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of criminal defence solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for outraging public decency

Please contact us for a free initial consultation with one of our outraging public decency lawyers for immediate advice and representation.

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.