Caught .... again!
Return to DiscussionsThe weather in Michigan was unseasonably warm this November. We had many days in the 60's, One weekend when my husband and neighbors were gone, I decided to do some naked yard work. About 30 minutes into the project, I turned to find a police officer in the yard. Not wanting to give the impression that I was doing anything wrong, I did not cover up. Rather, I just walked over and questioned what he needed. Apparently, the neighbor was still home and phoned in the complaint. He asked me to please cover up or go back inside. This is the second time that I have had the police come to house due to a neighbor complaint. The following week, I received a call from the prosecuting attorney stating that she had received the complaint and needed to decide if criminal charges should be filed. I have known her for about 4 years due to my job and that is why she called to give me advance notice as to what was going on. Due to our relationship, she decided to pass the case on to someone in another county. Due to Michigan's strict anti public nudity laws, a conviction could potentially put me on the criminal sex offenders registry. It took two weeks to finally receive a verdict, but I am pleased to say no charges this time. However, it was made quite clear that a third offense would not end well for me. If you live in an area where you can practice the nude lifestyle, count your blessings. Some of us are not that fortunate.
How open to view is your garden?
In the UK most naked gardeners have a 2M board fence or hedge for reasonable privacy and anybody complaining in those circumstances would be liable for prosecution as a voyeur under the Sexual Offences Act.
I guess you know it's not in the cards for you there now. Even if you get new neighbors, you're not safe from "strike three" which no one should treat lightly. A real shame you are limited but better to be limited than to get on that sex-offenders list. It's just not worth the risk.
We have a 8ft fence completely around our property. However, the houses in the area all are 2 storied. This allows them to see into my backyard if they look out their upstairs windows. The neighbor that has filed both complaints says that she is moving in the spring. Will just have to see if the new neighbors are any more tolerant.
We have a 8ft fence completely around our property. However, the houses in the area all are 2 storied. This allows them to see into my backyard if they look out their upstairs windows. The neighbor that has filed both complaints says that she is moving in the spring. Will just have to see if the new neighbors are any more tolerant.
I do think that the answer is more talking, not higher fences.
Unfortunately, the latter is the only option left, so we're looking to buy a beautify (big) summer house for next year
We have a 8ft fence completely around our property. However, the houses in the area all are 2 storied. This allows them to see into my backyard if they look out their upstairs windows. The neighbor that has filed both complaints says that she is moving in the spring. Will just have to see if the new neighbors are any more tolerant.
I'd definitely have a talk with anyone within the viewing area. You're on strike 3 so I wouldn't take any further chances. I'd hate to see you get caught again
My first reaction on reading of your saga was to feel sorry for you as the victim of overzealous police and prosecutors, but having read up on Michigan's law it seems to me that you live in a very fucked-up state WRT "indecent exposure" and the police and DA were "just doing their job". Not only is it a crime to "expose" yourself, the crime occurs even if no one is there to see it (how that gets prosecuted is a bit vague). A Michigan woman was arrested for indecent exposure for sunbathing in a bikini in her front yard (neighbors complained that the string bikini was too small for her rather larger endowment). She wasn't naked, she wasn't exposing herself to anyone, it just took a call the police and *bam* she has thousands in legal fees defending herself lest she end up on a 25 year sex offender registry and in prison for a year.
So, you might find yourself a good lawyer. A (very superficial) google search turned up the following, which I offer without comment or recommendation:
Bruce Alan Block, PLC
Attorney and Counselor at Law
1155 East Paris Ave. SE, Suite 300, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: (616) 676-8770
Good luck!
The weather in Michigan was unseasonably warm this November. We had many days in the 60's, One weekend when my husband and neighbors were gone, I decided to do some naked yard work. About 30 minutes into the project, I turned to find a police officer in the yard. Not wanting to give the impression that I was doing anything wrong, I did not cover up. Rather, I just walked over and questioned what he needed. Apparently, the neighbor was still home and phoned in the complaint. He asked me to please cover up or go back inside. This is the second time that I have had the police come to house due to a neighbor complaint. The following week, I received a call from the prosecuting attorney stating that she had received the complaint and needed to decide if criminal charges should be filed. I have known her for about 4 years due to my job and that is why she called to give me advance notice as to what was going on. Due to our relationship, she decided to pass the case on to someone in another county. Due to Michigan's strict anti public nudity laws, a conviction could potentially put me on the criminal sex offenders registry. It took two weeks to finally receive a verdict, but I am pleased to say no charges this time. However, it was made quite clear that a third offense would not end well for me. If you live in an area where you can practice the nude lifestyle, count your blessings. Some of us are not that fortunate.
I feel so sorry for you. We live in Florida in an area that used to have several unofficial nude beaches due to the fact that you cannot build right on the beach. There are still a large number of people who are nude or topless at the beach. I have never heard of anyone getting in trouble for it. I know of a lot of people who do work outside nude (really sometimes it gets so muggy here that clothes seem stupid. Some places are very relaxed with it in Florida, others not too much.