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Peeing in public might seem minor, but public urination is prohibited in many city codes. Violating a city code can lead to criminal prosecution and a criminal record so speaking with a Phoenix sex crimes lawyer immediately after being charged is of the utmost importance. In some cases, these charges can be considered a sex crime and require you to register as a sex offender. Below are the codes for each individual area:
The city of Scottsdale prohibits urinating in a place exposed to public view. Scottsdale’s city code makes a violation a Class 1 Misdemeanor and imposed a mandatory minimum fine of $150. In addition, because a violation is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, if convicted you face a maximum of 6 months in jail, up to 3 years of probation, and a maximum fine of $2,500. In the City of Scottsdale arrests for Urinating in Public are commonly made in Old Town Scottsdale in the bar district. Even if you are a tourist you can face criminal prosecution locally.
The Tempe City Code Sec. 22-13 also prohibits urinating in or upon any public property. Unlike Scottsdale, the Tempe City Code makes this a petty offense. A petty offense is still a crime, but one which is punishable only by a fine. The maximum fine for a violation of this offense is $300. Just as in Scottsdale, arrests for this offense are mostly found in the bar district, Mill Avenue.
The city of Mesa makes it unlawful to urinate in any place open to public view. As with Scottsdale, the Mesa City Code treats Urinating in Public as a Class 1 Misdemeanor, and a conviction can lead to a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail, up to $2,500 in fines, and up to 3 years of probation.
The Chandler City Code Sec. 11-5 prohibits urinating on any public sidewalks, or on any public path, road, roadway, or highway, or in any public place or park which is easily visible or readily accessible from a public thoroughfare or public conveyance. Urinating in Public in Chandler is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and up to 3 years of probation. Most arrests for Urinating in Public in Chandler occur in downtown Chandler.
The Gilbert Municipal Code Sec. 42-146 makes it unlawful to urinate in public or upon any public street, alley, sidewalk or park or other public grounds or in any place which is easily visible or readily accessible from a public thoroughfare or public conveyance. A violation of Urinating in Public in the Town of Gilbert constitutes a Class 1 Misdemeanor and can lead to a fine of up to $2,500 or jail up to 6 months. The Gilbert Municipal Code does not provide for probation as a penalty pursuant to Gilbert Municipal Code Sec 1-5. Most arrests for Urinating in Public in Gilbert take place in downtown Gilbert in the bar district.
The Glendale City Code prohibits urinating in public pursuant to section 26-72 by prohibiting urination upon any of the public sidewalks or crosswalks in the city or upon any public path, by-way or highway, or upon the floor or interior of any bus or other public conveyance, or in or on any public place or park or on private property in a location that is or may be visible to other persons. A violation of Urinating in Public in Glendale is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $2,500 fine, and up to 3 years of probation. The Glendale City Code also allows the citing official to treat a violation as a civil infraction. Most Urinating in Public arrests in Glendale are made around the stadiums.
Most cities and towns in Arizona have some sort of law in their city codes prohibiting Urinating in Public. If they do not, then may still face criminal prosecution for similar offenses like Disorderly Conduct. Apart from the punishments discussed above, a conviction for Urinating in Public will remain on your record forever, unless you are able to secure an expungement under the state’s new 2023 laws. Do not face the stigma of a criminal record and the threat of fines, jail, and probation alone. Get an experienced, knowledgeable, and aggressive Phoenix criminal defense attorney on your side to help you get the best possible result in your case. The attorneys at AZ Defenders offer free consultations for all Urinating in Public cases, regardless of where in Arizona they originate. Call today at (480) 456-6400 or contact us online to schedule your consultation today.