Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

If 16-year-old Ryan goes streaking at a party, can he be charged with public indecency? True or False?

1. True

2. False

3. Only if he has been warned

4. Only if he is identified

The correct answer is: False

In many jurisdictions, public indecency laws apply to individuals who expose themselves in public spaces. However, these laws often take into account the age of the individual involved. Since Ryan is 16 years old, he is considered a minor, and various factors may influence whether he can be charged with public indecency. In situations involving minors, there could be legal protections or different standards when applying public indecency laws. For instance, many laws focus on the intent and awareness of the act, which may be assessed differently for juveniles than for adults. Additionally, law enforcement and prosecutors sometimes exercise discretion regarding charging minors, especially if no harm or intent to offend was intended. Thus, the statement that Ryan cannot be charged with public indecency may hold true depending on local laws, age of consent statutes, and the context of his actions which are often viewed more leniently for minors than for adults.