Busted by the cops while scantily "dressed". For "nudity" in public!

[docrobbysherry]

What constitutes "nudity"? Most every online site has their own standards. And, every community in the US seems to also. Was I guilty? I'll let U decide for yourselves. Here's what happened:

I scoped out the site the day before our shoot. There was no one at the small, obscure city park on a steep hillside. For the 20 minutes I plotted where we'd set up, shoot, etc. It was about 11 AM. on a Thursday. Folks were working. Kids were in school. I figured if we started about 11 and finished before 12 noon, lunch time, we'd get away unseen.

We arrived at about that time on Friday. There was only a guy sitting in his car. We went down the hill and were immediately out of site from anyone on the sidewalk or the street above. Hidden by heavy brush and trees. I removed my pants and loose coat. Wearing my full length female suit, with undies, underneath for our shoot. We had just finished the first scene. I had the jacket back on, hiding my previously uncovered, silicone boobs, when a jogger ran by. We exchanged, "Hi's", and he vanished down the trail.

My photographer was visibly unnerved but we had one more scene to shoot and we could leave. The scene; a topless woman rolling down a hillside. I had just set it up when a lady walking her dog came down the trail. She was friendly and curious. We told her we were shooting scenes for an internet story. She made some encouraging comments then went off with her pooch. We were in a hurry now. It may have taken 10 minutes max to shoot the rest.

Then, I hurriedly dressed and packed up all our gear. At the top of the trail, we saw a man of about 60+ watching us. Maybe taking photos of us with his phone? He had a local high school's name on his Tshirt. With the word, "Coach" on it. I tried to engage him in conversation. He said something like, "Just get the hell outta here u perv!" To which I said, ok, we r leaving now. He must have called 911. Because as we were pulling away, a black and white pulled up in front of us. Followed shortly by a really old guy in a Parking Enforcement car. He had no uniform. But, got out and watched during the entire show. As did 3 folks sitting on a bench by the curb.

I immediately got out. By the time I reached the uniformed officer the coach had walked away. I explained what we had been doing and unzipped my jacket to let him see a fake breast and told him I was and had been wearing underwear. He was about 30 and never had an attitude or gave me a snarky look. (Remember, to anyone not seeing me in my suit? I was just a bearded old man in dark, loose clothing.) He was not what I expected at all. I have memories of the, "u against us" attitudes by cops when I was growing up here. Our discussion was mainly about the local nudity laws and why they were enacted. His point was, whether or not I was breaking the law, the "coacH" was offended by my "nudity". I explained we thot no one would see us and had no intention of offending folks. But, we WERE in a public park he said. I agreed it was a bad idea and wouldn't do it again! (I won't.)

He took down my info from my drivers license. Interestingly:, never calling it in, ignoring my friend in the car, and the fact that my license expired months ago! The last thing he said was, there would be no public report and don't do it again. Since he wrote down my info on an index card, I wonder if he just tossed it after he drove off?

My friend and I discussed this later. Is wearing fake breasts in public "nudity"? Unless we were doing it to intentionally shock folks, I don't think so. But, I wonder? What do u think?

[Vala]

Well it is a kind of gray area. And since I live in the Netherlands I probably was raised with a different sense of what is illegal.
So with that said, I do agree with the officer that showing body parts that could be offensive in a public place is illegal and it doesn't matter whether the body parts are fake or not.
I don't think you should have received a ticket and it seems the officer also didn't think he should give one.

[Eryn]

Well, if nothing else, you gave them something to talk about back at the cop shop.

IMO, simulated breasts are pretty much the same thing as real breasts when it comes to nudity laws.

[jessica2009]

I apologize in if i missed some info, but were you wearing anything over ur breasts? if so, i wouldnt call it nudity personally. In Canada im pretty sure topless is legal, wish others would follow suit with that kinda thing. From the sounds of it you made alot of effort NOT to get caught or bother people so i dont see harm. but i dont know your local laws so it really doesnt matter what i think lol. either way. hope you had a good time regardless at least!

[Tracii G]

Sherry you may have violated a park ordinance or local nudity law but he was cool enough not to give you a ticket.
I'll always take a warning and be on my way.LOL

[AnnaMarie]

I think over here in the uk they wouldn't have been impressed and suspect depending on the police present at the time just given you a ticking or perhaps done you for indecency.

[andreanna]

I apologize in if i missed some info, but were you wearing anything over ur breasts? if so, i wouldnt call it nudity personally. In Canada im pretty sure topless is legal, wish others would follow suit with that kinda thing. From the sounds of it you made alot of effort NOT to get caught or bother people so i dont see harm. but i dont know your local laws so it really doesnt matter what i think lol. either way. hope you had a good time regardless at least!

Please, Please, Please!!!! Being topless is only legal in Ontario.

[Edie Palmer]

Here in NY City female toplessness is legal, but I don't know about LA. There is an arcane 19th century law here about disguise with intent to defraud, which was technically used against transgender people in the old days and more recently against Occupy Wall Street participants wearing Guy Fawkes masks. And it seems here, it's not about "nudity," but about activity.

Also, you talked way way too much to the police, as they say in Miranda warnings that information, no matter how innocuous it might seem, can and will be used against you. You are only obligated to respectfully ask if you are being detained or under arrest, or if you are free to leave. And we're talking about the police here, believe me, you are in a database now, and he probably checked for priors. This might come back to bite you.

And, not to be critical, but couldn't you find an appropriately less public place to make videos or photographs? They could've validly busted you for filming or photographing without a permit. Those things are highly regulated. On a practical basis, if you are going to do this sort of thing, you need to be more professional about it.

[docrobbysherry]

My thoughts - If I had a fake appendage out the front of my pants in a public place, and it was a realistic fake, would that not be offensive?----------------------

I believe in most places in the States, Rachel, going topless and showing your genitals r different degress of nudity!

Sherry:

Glad the police officer exercised rationale judgement. Now for the question that is on all our minds: Where can we see this and your other videos? I always thought (mistakenly it seems) that you were a still camera kinda girl. This new knowledge gives me a new appreciation of Sherry and the efforts you go through to look so fab.

Stay safe. Now on with the further adventures of Sherry.

Best regards,
Rhonda

Thanks, Rhonda. I wasn't shooting a video. It was simply another of my kinky picto stories! Few shots from my stories can be posted here. I can post portions of them on my FB Page. But, only Fetlife allows me to post ALL my photos!

the coach calling you a pervert seems to be discriminatory, possibly even an LGBT hate crime, no-one saw anything, the photos by the coach were of you dressed, the cop was doing the least, for show. Now, where is the video?

I don't think the "Coach", (by the way, I'm pretty sure the guy was an ex coach, if anything. Too old to be active), knew what he saw. And, had no interest in me explaining!

In some places lewd acts are legislated illegal. If what you were doing could be considered lewd, it doesn't matter if you had your body suit covered with three layers of clothing or if you were nekid' as a Jay bird. ----------------------------------------------

You admit yourself that you scoped it out to make sure no one would see you but people did see you. You listed three. That your partner was rattled after the first encounter.

I have no idea if what you were doing was illegal but you were doing something in public you didn't want people to see.

My two cents, bad call on your part.

Lewd acts and nudity r completely different issues here, Bonnie. Nothing I did the entire time could have been construed as lewd. Yes, I definitely erred in my judgement didn't I!?.

It seems to me that technically you weren't nude. You were wearing an outer garment which is why the cop thought the better of pushing any charges as a decent lawyer would argue the same. If there's a statute against simulated nudity then there's a case to answer. If not then it's just the prejudices of bystanders who need to be better educated about the more tolerant times we now supposedly live in. Does wearing a mask of a previous president on the high street make you a bank robber?

In the UK it's not illegal to be naked in public unless the intention is to be deliberately offensive. There will be many who upon seeing a naked man, naked women tend not to illicit the same response (sexist?) will summon the police demanding action as some sensibilities have been offended.

The Sexual Offences Act (2003) states that exposure (and hence public nudity) is only a crime if a person's genitals are exposed and they intend for someone to see them and to be caused alarm and distress.

This means that nudists, skinny dippers or nude sunbathers etc. are not breaking the law, as someone has to intend to cause alarm and distress for it to be a crime (and so someone being alarmed or distressed without intent is not a crime).

OK, laws differ country to country, state to state but for a prosecution the law has to be broken. Check first with a lawyer that what you're doing is illegal and in your case it seems to me not.

Which is why I made sure my bottom sensitive areas were completely covered, Helen. And, explained that to the cop.

It is technically legal for women to be topless in public places in 33 states, and CA is one of them. Of course, it does not prevent the police from hassling you if someone makes a scene about it.

I believe u r mistaken. Different cities in SoCal alone have different laws regarding nudity. Going topless in Newport Beach is illegal. But, not normally an arrestable offense.

Were you nude? I suppose a jury would have to decide. If you'd like the opportunity to find out....

But filming without a permit, I know without question, could have netted you a fine and perhaps an arrest. But even from your description, you were getting "hurredly dressed," your cameraman was "unnerved" -- you knew you were doing wrong. So take the heat.

Private individuals r allowed to film whenever and wherever they like with no permit required. Which is what we were doing. I'm not involved with commercial photography in any way.

Here in NY City female toplessness is legal, but I don't know about LA. There is an arcane 19th century law here about disguise with intent to defraud, which was technically used against transgender people in the old days and more recently against Occupy Wall Street participants wearing Guy Fawkes masks. And it seems here, it's not about "nudity," but about activity.

Also, you talked way way too much to the police, as they say in Miranda warnings that information, no matter how innocuous it might seem, can and will be used against you. You are only obligated to respectfully ask if you are being detained or under arrest, or if you are free to leave. And we're talking about the police here, believe me, you are in a database now, and he probably checked for priors. This might come back to bite you.

And, not to be critical, but couldn't you find an appropriately less public place to make videos or photographs? They could've validly busted you for filming or photographing without a permit. Those things are highly regulated. On a practical basis, if you are going to do this sort of thing, you need to be more professional about it.

U r entitled to your opinion Edie. Personally? I felt explaining how innocuous our shoot was and how I had hoped to avoid being seen would make the officer realize taking us to the station would be waste of time and energy.
Yes. It was a bad decision to film there. But, I needed a steep hillside with walkways and there I couldn't find any others like that here. I won't do it again!

[Hell on Heels]

Hell-o Sherry,
Sounds to me like the officer may have just been going through the motions to appease any onlookers.
IMHO, your simulated nudity may be pushing the limits, but given the location you were filming, and assuming
the "coach" didn't see anything that you didn't disclose to us, I don't believe it would be seen as public nudity in a courtroom.
Now there may be some other offense that could be applicable, but I doubt you'll hear anything more about this.

And I thought you were a stay at home girl.
You need some security to work along with that camera crew.
Maybe we should talk about catering. Croquettes? Quiche? What does a CD movie star desire?
Be safe, be smart, STAY OUTA JAIL!
Much Love,
Kristyn

[Rachelakld]

My thoughts - If I had a fake appendage out the front of my pants in a public place, and it was a realistic fake, would that not be offensive?

The cop was nice, realising the real situation, but still had to "look professional", and the coach was just being protective over his young charges.

So with the cop doing his bit, the coach doing his bit, maybe it was pushing the boundary and such filming would be better at a nudist camp, nudist beach or private land?

[Rhonda Darling]

Sherry:

Glad the police officer exercised rationale judgement. Now for the question that is on all our minds: Where can we see this and your other videos? I always thought (mistakenly it seems) that you were a still camera kinda girl. This new knowledge gives me a new appreciation of Sherry and the efforts you go through to look so fab.

Stay safe. Now on with the further adventures of Sherry.

Best regards,
Rhonda

[Beverley Sims]

Certainly 'aint nudity and likewise I would not press the issue either.

Some things you just have to let pass.

Why can't men wear skirts? :-)

Ho! Hum!

[Kate Simmons]

Sounds to me like the cop really didn't want to be bothered with it RS and just went through all the motions in case the "coach" or anyone else was watching.

[Wendy me]

i got stopped by beach police walking wearing a bikini bottom long blonde hair (my hair) big sunglasses toppless yes i am a gen male i have 36 c boobs ... no id on the beach secluded place only saw miss beach police on her atv come up on me fast ... she told me i could not be toppless on the beach....i told her i was male and when i offred her to peek in my bottoms she got embarased and left....



see if you streach the thing your doing expect someone to react

[VickieBonne]

In some places lewd acts are legislated illegal. If what you were doing could be considered lewd, it doesn't matter if you had your body suit covered with three layers of clothing or if you were nekid' as a Jay bird.

My community had to shut down my favorite park due to men seeking men activities. It got so bad that a legitimate patrons of the park couldn't walk through without harassment whatever the time of day it was. It started with the first guy thinking it was a secluded park.

You admit yourself that you scoped it out to make sure no one would see you but people did see you. You listed three. That your partner was rattled after the first encounter.

I have no idea if what you were doing was illegal but you were doing something in public you didn't want people to see.

My two cents, bad call on your part.

[Allison_CD]

Certainly 'aint nudity and likewise I would not press the issue either.
Some things you just have to let pass.

Why can't men wear skirts? :-) Ho! Hum!

Here in Scottish land many men wear skirts called Kilts. I see them often and am hoping to buy a mini kilt, soonest.
Pics to follow.

[CarlaWestin]

First of all, you need a stack of these.
get-out-of-jail-free-card.jpg

I wonder if "Coach" who probably wandered off quickly as to not miss, "shower time" in the locker room, would be incensed about this.

maniquins.jpg

I've certainly seen this before.

[SHINY-J]

Pretty gray area here... Very subjective and also depends on the circumstances.

I'm one who frequently ventures out in public and my dressing style is mostly for bedroom only. It could probably pass at a gay club or a very racy dance club that allows women to wear bikinis and thongs and guys to go shirtless or just wear underwear, but in most places, admittance would be denied.

Still, I only go out very late at night in very remote places where there are no onlookers. All the same, if I was spotted by the wrong person, it could end up being a pretty awkward event.

As another poster mentioned, "lewd" acts can be considered as equally punishable as being nude in public. It really depends on a variety of circumstances... If the "wrong" person sees you - and the "wrong" police officer is contacted in time to confront you- and the "wrong" prosecutor and judge decides to interpret the laws a certain way to make an example out of you and charge you with the most serious offense possible, it could go VERY badly. Sure, a good lawyer could argue that it was merely a second skin and so no actual,flesh was involved, but it's still going to cost you a great deal of money and time... Not to mention the complications it may cause to your job, family, and friends, if the powers that be charged you with some serious sec crime charges.

There's a lot of hearsay involved in these occurrences, but in this instance, it sounds like the "coach" guy watching might have been recording it as visual evidence. And these days, not only are there cameras everywhere, but everyone has one as well.

Truth is, even if they were false breast forms, I could easily see some arguing that they appeared to be real and claim that it's the same as nudity as the intention of breast form is to look like real breasts. It's not like one of those strange pics that gets taken at just the right angle and the right time where it looks like a breast or a penis is showing and the incident is entirely accidental... The intention of breast forms is to look like real breasts and I could see their point that when worn in public view, that it could be considered as public nudity or "lewd" behavior. I would also, mention that if it had been a baywatch model doing it, that the very same "coach" may have just used his phone to take pics for himself and not yelled or contacted the cops.

I hope the original poster is not offended by my comment as I'm guilty of doing the exact same, if not worse... When I dress, Many of my naughty bits are mostly exposed or at least definitely noticeable, so I'm not preaching at all! But it is why I choose very specific times, circumstances, and locations for my public excursions.

[docrobbysherry]

No offense taken, Shiny. But, I was far from just "wearing breast forms"! Here's pretty much what I looked like. Only with a bearded old man's face and not covering my boobs!

69861.jpg

[SHINY-J]

No offense taken, Shiny. But, I was far from just "wearing breast forms"! Here's pretty much what I looked like. Only with a bearded old man's face and not covering my boobs!

69861.jpg

Lol i love it! I also think that your instance being a photo shoot might have gone over better than any of my late night adventures as mine always involve "fun time"

Still, i think that it really just depends on the circumstances. In the few instances where I've actually encountered anyone while I was dressed, it's always gone well. I think that's a direct result of when, where, and how I dress. It's always late at night, with little to no people around and if they are, they're usually homeless or drunk... It's remote or empty areas where there are no large crowds or others around... And I dress trashy and wild so the few instances when someone actually did see me, they were always intrigued and enjoyed it as opposed to disgusted or hateful.

[pamela7]

the coach calling you a pervert seems to be discriminatory, possibly even an LGBT hate crime, no-one saw anything, the photos by the coach were of you dressed, the cop was doing the least, for show. Now, where is the video?

[Robin777]

Docrobbysherry,

Where I live now in Columbus, Ohio there is no law about a women in public topless. They have a festival every year here called Comfest. http://www.comfest.com/, that young women run around at topless. I have never been to it,(Not my kind of thing to attend) but I have seen pictures. So it isn't illegal everywhere for a women to be topless in public. It may not be in your area. Do a Google search to check out the laws on it. The policeman may have been appeasing the person that called 911 by taking down your information. Here is something I found doing a google search. http://gotopless.org/topless-laws. I believe they have had topless women in the Columbus Doo-Dah parade also.

I would just chalk it up as a learning experience.

Plus when you get done with your internet film, don't forget to post a link here. I would like to see it.

Robin

[flatlander_48]

Judging by some here, this would be illegal (seems pretty silly to me):

[Vala]

Judging by some here, this would be illegal (seems pretty silly to me):

I probably going off topic here a little bit but I can't restrain myself.
Flatlander there are way more then one silly law in the world. You could do an internet search and find whole listas of silly laws. I can give you one as an example. In great Britain it is illegal to die in the houses of parlement. How silly is that? How do you convict a dead person?

Or I could point out to a Dutch weapon law. anything that looks like a gun is illegal. Not to long a reporter testing this got arrested because of her umbrella that had a hunting rifle grip attached to it.