Scottsdale Urinating in Public Is a Class 1 Misdemeanor — Not a Slap on the Wrist
Believe it or not, peeing in public in Scottsdale is a criminal offense. Not a ticket. Not a fine you pay and forget. A Class 1 misdemeanor — the same category as DUI and assault — that goes on your permanent criminal record.
Scottsdale City Code Section 19-19 makes it unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in a place exposed to public view. The City of Scottsdale is one of the most aggressive municipalities in Arizona when it comes to enforcing this law, especially in the Old Town entertainment district and during major events like the WM Phoenix Open.
Our firm has handled hundreds of Scottsdale urinating in public cases. We know the Scottsdale Police officers who patrol the entertainment district, the strategies they use to catch people, and exactly how Scottsdale City Court prosecutors handle these cases. If you’ve been cited or arrested for UIP in Scottsdale, we can help — call us now for a free consultation.
How Scottsdale Police Catch People Urinating in Public
Nearly every urinating in public case we handle in Scottsdale follows the same fact pattern. The officer sees the person duck behind a dumpster, building, or alley. From there, one of three things happens:
The officer directly observes the person urinating. Or the officer sees the person in a position consistent with urinating, approaches, and observes urine on the ground, wall, shoes, or pants. Or the person admits to urinating — either directly by saying something like “yeah, I was peeing” or indirectly by saying “I’m sorry.”
Even if the officer didn’t catch you in the act, an admission combined with physical evidence is enough for Scottsdale PD to write the citation. We also regularly represent clients who have no recollection of the events at all — which creates its own set of challenges and defense opportunities.
Scottsdale Police are especially active during high-traffic periods. The bars in Old Town Scottsdale close and people get kicked out. The restroom lines at the WM Phoenix Open are notoriously long. Bouncers and security guards — many of whom are trained by Scottsdale PD — sometimes direct people away from their establishments, putting them in situations where they’re more likely to be cited. It’s a cycle that Scottsdale PD uses to generate a high volume of UIP citations, and it’s one we’ve seen play out hundreds of times.
Penalties for Urinating in Public in Scottsdale, Arizona
Under Scottsdale City Code SRC 19-19, urinating in public carries the following penalties:
- Mandatory minimum fine of $150 — but in practice, the total fines and fees are almost always significantly higher.
- Up to 6 months in jail — though additional jail time beyond the initial arrest is uncommon for first-time offenders.
- Up to 3 years of probation. Restitution — the court may require you to pay cleanup costs incurred by the City.
- A permanent Class 1 misdemeanor on your criminal record.
Most people who are arrested for UIP in Scottsdale have already spent time in jail before they see a judge. The judge rarely stacks additional jail time on top of that. But the criminal conviction itself is the real damage — it follows you on background checks for employment, housing, professional licensing, and more.
Can Urinating in Public Lead to Indecent Exposure Charges in Arizona?
This is the part most people don’t see coming. Under Arizona Revised Statute A.R.S. § 13-1402, indecent exposure occurs when a person exposes their genitals and another person is present who would reasonably be offended or alarmed.
If someone witnessed your genitals while you were urinating in public — even if you were trying to be discreet — prosecutors can potentially escalate the charge from a city ordinance violation to indecent exposure under state law.
If the witness is 15 years of age or older, indecent exposure is a Class 1 misdemeanor — up to 6 months in jail and $2,500 in fines. If the witness is under 15, indecent exposure becomes a Class 6 felony — with potential prison time and, in some cases, sex offender registration.
That’s why it’s critical to get a defense attorney involved immediately. What you think is a minor peeing-in-public citation can escalate quickly depending on who was nearby and what the prosecutor decides to charge.
Common Scottsdale UIP Scenarios We Handle
After handling hundreds of these cases, we’ve seen and heard every conceivable situation. Some of the most common include:
- The bar kickout. Bouncers won’t let you back inside to use the restroom, you’ve been drinking, and you duck behind the building. Scottsdale PD is already positioned nearby and watching.
- The WM Phoenix Open arrest. Hundreds of thousands of people, long restroom lines, heavy drinking, and a massive police presence. Every year, UIP citations spike during tournament week. In 2026 alone, Scottsdale PD made 99 arrests across the Open and Birds Nest events.
- The “I don’t remember” case. You had too much to drink, have no recollection of the events, and woke up to a citation or learned about the arrest afterward.
- The medical condition. You have a legitimate bladder condition or urinary issue. We’ve heard “my doctor will provide a note” more times than we can count — and while it’s not an automatic defense, it is something we can work with.
- The rideshare wait. You’re waiting for an Uber or Lyft, the bars are closed, there’s nowhere open to use a restroom, and you make a bad decision.
No matter which scenario fits your situation, our team knows how to build the strongest possible defense based on the specific facts of your case.
Why Matthew Lopez Law Handles More Scottsdale UIP Cases Than Anyone
Our firm represents people for all types of criminal defense cases in Arizona — from lower-level offenses like urinating in public to serious felonies. Compared to the many different types of cases we handle, we charge the least for UIP cases because we’ve streamlined the process.
We are at Scottsdale City Court nearly every day. We know the prosecutors. We know the judges. We know what works and what doesn’t in these cases. That kind of familiarity translates directly into better outcomes for our clients.
It’s not worth trying to save money by handling the matter yourself or hiring an inexperienced firm that doesn’t regularly practice in Scottsdale City Court. A Class 1 misdemeanor conviction is permanent. Let us take the weight off your shoulders and fight for the best possible outcome.
Speak With a Scottsdale Urinating in Public Defense Attorney Today
If you’ve been cited or arrested for urinating in public in Scottsdale, don’t wait. The sooner you get an attorney involved, the more options we have to protect you.
Call Matthew Lopez Law for a free consultation, or contact us online to schedule a case review. We’re available 24/7.
Author Bio
Matthew L. Lopez
Matthew L. Lopez is the Managing Attorney and founder of Matthew Lopez Law, a criminal defense and DUI firm serving clients throughout Arizona. His track record of case dismissals and charge reductions has earned him honors, including a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 nomination, a “Superb” 10/10 Avvo rating, and a Rising Star designation by Super Lawyers.
Matthew is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and holds active memberships with the Arizona Association for Criminal Justice and the Arizona Association for Justice. His firm handles criminal defense, DUI, drug charges, and traffic offenses, offering free consultations and affordable payment plans to make quality defense accessible to all Arizonans.
