What constitutes indecent exposure under Texas Penal Code?

Indecent exposure under the Texas Penal Code is defined as the intentional exposure of one's genitals, buttocks, or female breast to another person with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. This definition emphasizes not just the act of exposure itself, but also the intent behind it. The focus on intent differentiates indecent exposure from other forms of public conduct, as the law targets behavior meant to provoke a sexual response or stimulate sexual desire.

This emphasis on intent distinguishes indecent exposure from other related offenses. For instance, simply engaging in sexual acts in public does not always fall under the definition of indecent exposure unless it includes the specific element of intentionally revealing oneself to provoke sexual feelings. Similarly, showing genitals to a minor carries additional legal implications that fall under child protection laws, rather than indecent exposure directly. Public sexual harassment encompasses behaviors that may be offensive or unwanted but do not necessarily involve intentional exposure aimed at sexual arousal. Thus, the correct definition focuses on the combination of exposure and the intent to elicit sexual arousal.