PROHIBITING PUBLIC INDECENCY

Tupelo Code of Ordinances ch. 24, art. VI

in effect

Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 24-141 Public indecency.

Sec. 24-141. - Public indecency. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully perform any of the following acts in a place where a person should reasonably expect to be in view of the public: (1) An act or simulated act of sexual intercourse or masturbation; (2) Exposure of the genitals; (3) A lewd appearance in a state of partial or complete nudity; (4) A lewd caress or indecent fondling of the body of another person; (5) A lewd caress or indecent fondling of the sexual organs of any person, including oneself; (6) Urination or defecation; or (7) Appears wearing pants or skirts more than three inches below the top of the hips (crest of the ilium) exposing the skin or undergarments. (Ord. of 2-7-2012, § 1)

Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 24-142 Fines and penalties.

Sec. 24-142. - Fines and penalties. A citation shall be issued to the offender and the person shall be subject to a penalty of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense and not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a subsequent offense. In addition to the fine, the Tupelo Municipal Court may order such person to participate in up to forty (40) hours of court approved community service activities. Violators shall not be subject to arrest or imprisonment for violation of this section, however, the Tupelo Municipal Court shall have full authority to enforce its orders, judgments and sentences. (Ord. of 2-7-2012, § 1)

Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 24-143 Defenses.

Sec. 24-143. - Defenses. It is a defense under this section if it is determined, after a hearing or trial, that the person was exercising rights protected by the federal or state constitution. Any defense under this section must be asserted prior to any hearing or trial in the matter. (Ord. of 2-7-2012(1), § 3)

Source: City of Tupelo, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances and Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/tupelo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH24STSIPUPL_ARTVIPRPUINFetched: 11/1/2026