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Lewd, Wanton and Lascivious Acts

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272 Section 53 prohibits lewd, wanton, and lascivious acts. There are four elements that a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt before you can be convicted of this offense.

  1. You committed a sexual act or publicly solicited someone else to commit a sexual act.
  2. The act involved touching of the genitals, buttocks, or female breasts.
  3. You committed the act for sexual gratification or arousal or to offend others.
  4. The sex act was or was to be committed in a public location. This means that it was some place where you intended exposure to the public or disregarded a substantial risk of exposure to the public in a reckless way. If you desired privacy for the act and took reasonable measures to secure such privacy, then you cannot be convicted of this crime.

The purpose of this law is to punish sexual touching that does not amount to a completed sex act and that is intended to be carried out in public where other people might be offended. This law can’t be applied to constitutionally protected speech or expressive acts.

Punishment

Lewd, wanton, and lascivious conduct is punishable by up to 6 months in a jail or house of correction or by a fine of up to $200, or both.

Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney

Stephen Neyman is a well–known Massachusetts lawyer who has been defending persons accused of lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct and all other crimes for more than 20 years. His practice is entirely devoted to criminal defense, and his commitment to his craft and his clients is great. Attorney Neyman, a former California prosecutor, can anticipate the opposition and build a defense that covers every angle. His case results, which you can view on this website, serve as reflections of his hard work and skill.

A Winning Attitude

In every case, Stephen Neyman is single–minded when it comes to winning, whether that means getting cases dismissed entirely, successfully negotiating with prosecutors, resolving cases so that his clients will not have criminal records, succeeding at trial or on appeal, and more. He is relentless in his efforts to protect his clients, a quality for which they are very grateful.

Law Offices of Stephen Neyman, P.C. 617-263-6800

The Law Office of Stephen Neyman, P.C. handles criminal matters of all kinds, including lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct. If you or someone you know has been charged with this crime, call Stephen Neyman’s office today. Attorney Neyman will attentively listen and respond to any questions that you may have. It is always best to retain an attorney as early as possible so as to ensure that you are well protected throughout the process.

You can reach Attorney Neyman by calling 617-263-6800. You can also send him an e–mail. When you ultimately meet with him, he will provide you with the advice that you will need to move forward, hopefully with him fighting on your behalf. Do not wait another minute to call because the Law Offices of Stephen Neyman, P.C. is reachable 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Case Results » Lewd, Wanton And Lascivious Acts
  • Charges of Lewd Wanton and Lascivious Conduct to be Dismissed

    The defendant is a highly educated individual who became mentally ill in his thirties. He started exposing himself frequently and in random public places. He was treated by mental health facilities throughout Massachusetts for years. Occasionally, medications would work but relapses were common. Over the past few years the man was charged in several counties and courts for this conduct. Our office represents him on four of these cases in three different courts. All charges are for lewd wanton and lascivious conduct in violation of G.L. c. 272 section 53. Today, we were able to get two of those charges dismissed. 

    Read More in Sex Crimes

  • Pretrial Probation for College Professor Charged With Lewd Wanton and Lascivious Conduct

    The defendant is a college professor at a top 20 university. In September of this year police in a suburban Boston city were flagged down by a woman complaining that a man was masturbating in public on an abandoned couch. The woman had two children with her. The officer drove to the location described by the woman and saw the man sitting on the couch with his pants zipper down. The man appeared nervous and confused. His speech was slurred and he had an open container of alcohol in his hand. The man was arrested and charged with violating G.L. c. 272 Section 53, lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct. Attorney Neyman was hired. Today, we were able to secure pretrial probation under G.L. c. 276 Section 87 for the man. All charges will be dismissed. 

    Read More in Sex Crimes

  • Charges of Lewd, Wanton and Lascivious Conduct Against College Students do not Issue After Clerk Magistrate Hearing

    The defendants are nineteen year old college students both attending schools in Boston. They both live in a posh suburb. On July 1, 2019 the police received a complaint that two individuals were engaging in sexual intercourse in a car in a busy parking lot. This was taking place around 5:00 p.m. when it was still very light out. The officers responding confirmed what the caller reported. They knocked on the car window and asked the parties to get dressed. Once they had their clothes on they were questioned, positively identified and summonsed to court for a clerk magistrate hearing. The charges were lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct in violation of G.L. c. 272 Section 53. Our office was hired. Today, after a clerk magistrate hearing Attorney Neyman convinced the clerk magistrate not to issue the complaint. 

    Read More in Sex Crimes

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"We went to trial and won. He saved me fifteen years mandatory in state prison for this case." A.C. Boston, Massachusetts
★★★★★
"I hired him and he got the case dismissed before I had to go into a courtroom. My school never found out and if they had I would have lost my academic scholarships. He really saved my college career." Melissa C. Cold Spring, New York, October 2013
★★★★★
"My union rep told me to call Steve Neyman. From the get go I felt comfortable with him. He took the time to talk to me about my case whenever I needed .... He even gave me his personal cell number and took all my calls. We won the case and I kept my job." Bart L. S.
★★★★★
"The best criminal defense lawyer in Massachusetts. Takes all of his client's calls at any time of the day or night. He was always there for me and my family. Steve saved my life." Jacquille D. Brockton, Massachusetts
★★★★★
"In less than two months Stephen Neyman got my old conviction vacated. I now have no criminal record." Paul W. Boston, Massachusetts