Minnesota Supreme Court Female breasts are not lewd or inherently sexual and can be exposed in public

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that women can legally expose their breasts in public as long as they do not engage in sexual activity. This ruling arose from the case of Eloisa Plancarte, who was arrested for indecent exposure after being seen with her breasts exposed in a parking lot. Plancarte challenged her charges, arguing that her actions were not lewd. The court found that the evidence did not support claims of lewd behavior, with Justice Karl Procaccini noting the ambiguity of terms like "lust" and "indecency" in legal statutes. The opinion also clarified that indecent exposure laws do not categorize female breasts as private parts.

Justice Sarah Hennesy, in her concurring opinion, emphasized the need for clear definitions to ensure consistent law enforcement. The ruling could have broader implications for how women's bodies are regulated under the law in Minnesota. This significant decision reflects ongoing debates about gender and public decency standards.