Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The Basics of ‘Obscene Performance’ in Nevada

obscene performance


A person can be accused of being involved in an obscene performance if he ‘knowingly’ participated or engaged in the portrayal, depiction or exhibition of any obscene, indecent or immoral act or performance.
                The State of Nevada considers a performance obscene if it has the following criteria:
  •        If an average person who bases his decisions on a general point of view finds that the performance under investigation attracts prurient interest; even when taken as a whole.
  •        The performance, as a whole, lacks significant artistic, political, literary or scientific value.
  •        The performance did atleast one of the following:

·         Depicted or described sexual acts – normal or perverted, actual or simulated – in an evidently offensive way.
·         Depicted or described masturbation, excretory functions, sadism or masochism undoubtedly in an offensive way.
·         Vulgarly or indecently exposed the genitals.

Penalties & Sanctions
            Obscene crimes fall under the misdemeanor category. This type is the least serious type of crimes thus it doesn’t have severe punishments. The standard penalty for such crimes is a fine worth $1,000 or less and/or up to 6 months in a county jail. The person charged with a misdemeanor crime can only plead to the court to seal his record after two years. Nevertheless, if the criminal defense lawyer is experienced, he can convince the court to dismiss the case or at least limit the punishment of the accused. Once this happens, the criminal defense attorney can also petition the court to seal the criminal record right away.

Defenses
            There are three common ways to defend a person accused for being involved in an obscene performance:

  •        Insist that the accused did not act ‘knowingly’.

The full consent of the person who participated in an obscene performance is a requirement for this crime. Hence, if the criminal defense lawyer can prove that the person did not act according to his will, this type defense can subject the obscene case for dismissal.
  •        Insist that the show is not ‘obscene’.

The obscenity of the performance or act is hard to prove because the opinions of people vary. The act may be coined offensive even if it’s not totally immoral. If the defense attorney can stand to this, the result of the case will usually be in favor of the defendant.
  •        The performance is covered by the first amendment.

The U.S. Supreme Court declared in the first amendment that nude dancing can be considered as part of free expression. As long as there is no live sex and there are no children involved as performers or as part of the audience, chances are big that the act falls under legal grounds for obscene cases.


Are you accused of this crime? Call Ross Goodman, the most credible criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas, at (702) 383 – 5088 or visit Attorney Ross Goodman's Office.