Public Urination

Although a public urination ticket may seem like a minor offense, a public urination summons can have lasting consequences.

A public urination charge (Health Code 153.09, 245.01, or 116-18) should be treated just like any other criminal charge and with that, it is extremely important to hire an experienced attorney that is familiar with each and every borough. Our group of Bronx Attorneys covers all 5 boroughs and our team can meet you even at the last minute.

Is a public urination summons a misdemeanor or a violation?

Initially a public urination charge is treated as a misdemeanor, but generally your Bronx Attorney can ask that the misdemeanor be brought down to a violation with a small fine.  A violation is not a crime, and will not go on your record. However, a misdemeanor is a crime and can affect your job, school, student loans, or immigration status.

Why should I hire an attorney?

A New York Public Urination Attorney will strongly advocate for you to get the public urination summons dismissed. Or alternatively, argue for a violation rather than a misdemeanor so the summons will not be added to your criminal record. This becomes especially important if your career requires a professional license such as stock brokers, CPA’s, attorneys, doctors, dentists, etc. Hire a New York Public Urination Attorney to ensure that your licensing is adequately protected.

Taking the right steps to address your public urination summons is vital even if you are a student. A criminal conviction may affect your eligibility for student loans, school applications, or academic standing.

Those with potential immigration issues should also consult with an attorney to get the best possible outcome, so that their immigration status is not adversely affected.

Does Public Urination Require Sex Offender Registration?

Although a a public urination conviction does not generally require sex offender registration, those charged with a public urination should be informed of circumstances which may require registration.

Although it appears to be rarely enforced, a public urination conviction on your record in a state such as New York may technically be a sex offense should you be present in (visit or move to)  Florida, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire , Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and Vermont.  Although having to register as a sex offender seems highly unlikely, it does happen.

Take the case of Juan Matamoros who received a a ticket in Massachusetts for urinating in public in 1986.  In 2007, over 20 years later Mr. Matamoros was living in Florida with his wife and children.  The local county ordinance in Florida which is stricter than most prohibited sex offenders and sexual predators from living within 2,500 feet of a school, bus stop, day-care center, park or playground.  As a result, Mr. Matamoros was forced to move because the judge in Florida stated that there was nothing he could do.

If I hire a New York Public Urination Attorney do I have to appear in court?

No, if you hired an attorney you do not have to be there they can represent you in front of the judge. If you are a person who does not live in New York or would not be able to appear on that day for any reason, you must hire an attorney.