A person generally commits the criminal offense of public lewdness or lewd conduct in public if the person knowingly engages in any of the following acts in a public place—or, if not in a public place, the person is reckless about whether another is present who will be offended or alarmed by the person’s (1) act of sexual intercourse; (2) act of deviate sexual intercourse; (3) act of sexual contact with a person’s own private parts or those of another.

Public lewdness laws vary from state to state, and some states define and charge such criminal offenses under indecent exposure laws. Public lewdness is usually a misdemeanor offense, but may be a felony offense under some circumstances. And in some states a conviction for public lewdness may require the defendant to register as a sex offender.

In Kansas, the criminal offense related to public lewdness is generally covered under the state's indecent exposure laws. According to Kansas Statutes, specifically K.S.A. 21-5512, a person is guilty of indecent exposure if they knowingly expose a sex organ or commit any lewd fondling or touching of the person or another with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desires in any public place, or in the presence of another who is not the spouse of the offender and who might be reasonably expected to be offended or alarmed. Indecent exposure in Kansas is typically classified as a Class B misdemeanor. However, if the offender has previous convictions for the same offense, it can be elevated to a more serious charge. Additionally, certain acts of public lewdness, especially those involving minors or that are particularly egregious, may require the offender to register as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act, K.S.A. 22-4901 et seq. It's important to note that the specifics of the charge and the severity of the penalties can vary based on the circumstances of the case.