The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor, or lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, is generally committed when (1) the offender touches the child’s body or gets the child to touch the child’s body, the offender’s body, or someone else; (2) the touching occurs on bare skin or through clothing; (3) the touching was for sexual reasons; and (4) the child was under 14 years of age.

Laws regarding lewd acts with a minor vary from state to state, including the required age of the child and the required elements of the criminal offense. And some states classify the criminal offense of lewd acts with minor as the criminal offense of indecency with a minor, or lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child, or a similar offense.

Some states have expanded the definition of these laws to include looking at the body or private parts of a child in a sexual manner, or causing or forcing a child to witness sex acts in the presence of the child. These states prosecute persons who engage in such activity in online video chat rooms for this criminal offense.

The criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor (or similar offense) is generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Oklahoma, the criminal offense of lewd acts with a minor is codified under Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Section 1123, which addresses 'Lewd or Indecent Proposals or Acts to a Child Under 16.' It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally make any lewd or indecent proposal to a child under 16 for the child to engage in unlawful sexual behavior, or to commit any lewd or indecent act upon or in the presence of a child under 16. This includes touching the child's body or making the child touch someone else's body, whether through clothing or on bare skin, for sexual gratification. The law also covers the act of causing, aiding, abetting, or encouraging a minor to engage in any of the aforementioned acts or to witness a sexual act. Violations of this statute are considered felonies and carry severe penalties, including the possibility of imprisonment, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Oklahoma law also addresses the use of technology in committing lewd acts, making it illegal to use any electronic device to facilitate or engage in such conduct with a minor.