A person commits the crime of indecent exposure by exposing the person’s body or private parts (usually genitals, anus, buttocks, or female breasts) in a public place and in the presence of another person who might be offended, alarmed, or annoyed. Laws vary from state to state—including definitions of exposed body parts—and some states require the exposure to have been made with the intent to attract attention or to sexually gratify the person making the indecent exposure, or to sexually gratify another person, or to offend another person.

Indecent exposure laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Minnesota, indecent exposure is addressed under Minnesota Statutes section 617.23, which defines the crime as willfully and lewdly exposing one's body, or the private parts thereof, in any place where others are present. This can include exposure of genitals, buttocks, or female breasts. The law specifies that the exposure must be likely to alarm, anger, or disturb others or arouse sexual desire in order to be considered criminal. Minnesota law also considers the presence of minors and distinguishes between exposure in front of adults versus children, with harsher penalties for exposing oneself to individuals under the age of 16. The intent behind the exposure, such as the intent to arouse or to offend, is a relevant factor in determining the criminality of the act. Penalties for indecent exposure can range from misdemeanor to felony charges, depending on the circumstances and whether the offender has previous convictions for similar offenses.