Does Public Urination Go on Your Criminal Record?
You received what looks like a ticket. That does not necessarily mean you received the equivalent of a traffic ticket.
In Orange County, I see these cases arise frequently after nights out in downtown entertainment areas — especially places such as Downtown Fullerton.
A Citation Does Not Automatically Mean You Have a Misdemeanor Conviction
Being cited or charged is not the same thing as being convicted.
The important questions are what offense was actually written on the citation, whether it is being treated as a misdemeanor or an infraction, and how the case ultimately gets resolved.
If you are facing a misdemeanor and simply plead guilty, the consequences can be very different from a case that is dismissed, reduced, or otherwise resolved without a misdemeanor conviction.
That distinction matters for people who are concerned about employment, professional licensing, school, graduate programs or other background checks.
Before You Do Anything Else
- Find the citation the officer gave you.
- Look at the exact code section.
- See whether “M” or “I” is marked.
- Write down the court date.
- Keep any other paperwork you received.
- Do not assume it is “just a ticket.”
Is the “M” or the “I” Circled?
This is often one of the first things I look for when someone sends me a public urination citation.
Misdemeanor
If the case is being prosecuted as a misdemeanor, do not treat it like an ordinary traffic ticket. A misdemeanor conviction can create a criminal-record issue and may have consequences beyond simply paying a fine.
Infraction
An infraction is a different level of offense from a misdemeanor. It generally does not carry the same criminal-conviction consequences as a misdemeanor. The exact citation and disposition should still be checked.
This Is What I Mean by Looking at the Ticket
A citation may look minor. The classification written on it can be much more important than its appearance.
This is an example of a public urination citation from a case involving Downtown Fullerton.
When someone contacts me about one of these cases, I want a clear photograph of the front and back of the citation so I can see the charge, court date, agency and any markings indicating how the offense was cited.
Do not rely solely on what you remember the officer saying at the scene. Look at what was actually written.
Does Public Urination Go on Your Record?
I explain why the misdemeanor-versus-infraction distinction matters and why you should look at the actual citation before deciding what to do.
The biggest mistake is assuming that because the officer handed you a citation instead of taking you to jail, nothing important can happen.
A citation is a method of requiring you to appear in court. It does not, by itself, tell you how serious the charge is.
The Fine May Be the Least Important Part of the Case
For many clients, the concern is not what happens this month. It is what the case may mean two years from now.
Background Checks
A misdemeanor conviction can create questions when a future employer conducts a criminal background check.
Licensing
Nurses, teachers, contractors and other licensed professionals may have reporting or disclosure concerns depending on their profession and the outcome.
College & Graduate School
Students may have separate school or professional-program concerns that make avoiding a misdemeanor conviction particularly important.
Why I See So Many Public Urination Cases From Downtown Fullerton
A large percentage of the public urination cases I have handled arise after a night out in Downtown Fullerton.
Late Night
Restaurants and nightlife establishments close and large numbers of people leave at approximately the same time.
Alcohol
Many of these encounters happen after the person has been drinking for several hours, although the urination charge itself is a separate issue.
Parking Areas
Parking lots, structures, alleys and areas near Commonwealth are common places where these police contacts occur.
Police Observation
The case may depend heavily on what the officer says was observed and what other evidence exists.
Your Fullerton Public Urination Case
Where the citation occurred helps determine where the court case will be handled.
For a Downtown Fullerton citation, I want to know which agency issued the ticket, the exact ordinance or code section, how the citation was classified, and what court information appears on the ticket.
Local practices matter. A resolution that may be available in one case is not guaranteed in another, and the facts and criminal history can affect how a prosecutor approaches the case.
What Does the Officer Actually Have to Prove?
Being found near a wall, alley, car or parking structure is not the same thing as proving every element of the charged offense.
What Did the Officer See?
I want to know where the officer was standing, what the officer claims to have observed, for how long, and whether anything obstructed the view.
What Was Recorded?
Body-worn camera can help show the location, lighting, statements, demeanor and what was happening immediately after the alleged conduct.
What Did You Say?
A person's statements at the scene may become important evidence. I compare the actual recording, when available, with how those statements are described.
Public Urination Cases From My Practice
These examples illustrate the kinds of resolutions I have obtained. Every case depends on its own facts, history and circumstances.
Recent Cal State Fullerton Graduate
A client was cited after relieving himself in a parking lot near Downtown Fullerton. He had recently graduated from Cal State Fullerton and had no prior criminal history. The case was ultimately dismissed.
Female Client Near Vehicle
Police accused a client of public urination after observing her squatting near a vehicle in the Downtown Fullerton area. The case was ultimately dismissed.
Downtown Parking Lot
A client left a Downtown Fullerton establishment late at night and was cited for urinating in a parking area. The case was ultimately dismissed.
Parking Lot Citation
In another matter involving an alleged public urination incident in a parking lot, no criminal charge was filed.
Client With Prior Alcohol-Related History
Not every client has a clean record. In one case involving significant prior alcohol-related history, we continued negotiating and ultimately avoided another misdemeanor conviction.
Downtown Fullerton Incident
I have handled numerous cases arising from alleys, parking structures and business areas around Downtown Fullerton. The available resolution depends on the evidence and the client's individual circumstances.
Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
If You Have Never Been in Trouble Before, Think Before Pleading Guilty
A minor-looking misdemeanor can matter disproportionately to someone who has spent years building a clean record.
This is especially true for a young professional, college student, graduate student or someone entering a career where background checks are routine.
That does not mean every public urination case needs an expensive legal battle. It means you should understand what you are accepting before entering a plea.
If the citation is an infraction, the analysis may be very different. If it is a misdemeanor, there may be more reason to explore whether a dismissal, reduction or another resolution is available.
Clients Who Often Care Most About the Record
- College and graduate students
- Recent graduates
- Nurses and healthcare professionals
- Teachers
- Government employees
- Licensed professionals
- Applicants facing background checks
- People with security-clearance concerns
Four Things to Do Next
Read the Citation
Identify the code section, agency, court date and whether the offense appears to be marked as a misdemeanor or infraction.
Save Everything
Keep the citation and any additional paperwork. Take clear photographs of the front and back.
Do Not Miss Court
A small case can become a much larger problem if a required court appearance is ignored.
Understand the Outcome
Before entering a plea, understand whether the proposed disposition creates a misdemeanor conviction and what alternatives may exist.
Not Every Public Urination Ticket Requires the Same Response
I would not tell someone to hire a lawyer before I even know what kind of citation they received.
If you are dealing with a relatively minor infraction and understand the consequences, paying an attorney may not make economic sense.
A misdemeanor deserves more attention — particularly if you have a clean record, a professional license, employment concerns, school concerns or a prior criminal history that could affect negotiations.
The first step is simply figuring out what you actually have.
What If the Public Urination Case Is Already on My Record?
A prior misdemeanor conviction does not necessarily mean there is nothing you can do.
Depending on the conviction and your eligibility, California record-clearing relief may be available.
Commonly called an “expungement,” a qualifying dismissal does not literally erase the historical court case, but it can change the disposition and may provide meaningful relief.
The exact options depend on how the original case was resolved, whether probation was imposed, and your current eligibility.
Two Different Goals
- Current case: try to avoid the misdemeanor conviction before it occurs.
- Old conviction: determine whether record-clearing relief is available now.
Public Urination Ticket FAQ
Does public urination go on your criminal record?
How do I know if my ticket is a misdemeanor or an infraction?
If the officer gave me a ticket instead of arresting me, can it still be a misdemeanor?
Will public urination show up on a background check?
Can a public urination case be dismissed?
Is public urination always a misdemeanor in California?
Is public urination a sex offense?
Do I have to register as a sex offender for a normal public urination ticket?
Can I go to jail for public urination?
What if the police officer did not actually see me urinating?
What if I had a medical condition?
Can public urination affect a professional license?
Can a public urination case affect college or graduate school?
Will a public urination case appear on Live Scan?
Can I expunge an old public urination conviction?
Do I need a lawyer for a public urination ticket?
More Public Urination & Orange County Court Guides
Received a Public Urination Citation? Start by Sending Me the Ticket.
Before worrying about whether this will follow you for years, find out what you were actually charged with. I can look at the citation, identify whether you are dealing with a misdemeanor or infraction, and explain what I see.
Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Information on this page is general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship.