If you are a girl, there is no quick and convenient way to urinate outside, especially if you are wearing pants. If you are wearing a skirt, you can try taking off your underwear before you squat. You can also try pulling your underwear to the side of your urethra, although it still might get soiled.

If you are out with friends, make sure they know you are going into a dark spot to pee. They can make sure you are safe from a distance.

Please note that peeing in the woods does not harm the environment and can be condoned in certain circumstances as long as common sense is used. In rare cases (particularly for males), you may actually be instructed to do this and that is not automatically a bad thing. If you are hiking or camping, select a spot that is within an easy walk of your tent or fellow hikers, but that is not within easy sight. Pee behind a tree, away from anyone else on the path or at the site. If you are stuck on the road and there are no trees to conceal you, get out of the car and open the driver’s door and the passenger door behind it. This will block the view of the other cars from you while you pee. If there are cars in the lane next to you, turn away from them and pee toward your car. If you have to squat, try to get a fellow passenger to hold up a blanket or towel to hide you. If you are alone and/or do not have anything to hide you, find a secluded area.

Understand the consequences of being a sex offender. In 12 states, public urination could require you to register on a public sex offender list. [1] X Research source Registering on a sex offender list could cost you everything from your job to your ability to live in a city (most sex offenders cannot live between 500 and 2,500 feet of schools, parks, day cares of school bus stops). You may also be prohibited from attending any events with children, such as Little League games or school performances. While you might not care about this as a drunken undergrad, you will probably deeply regret never being able to attend your future child’s football games or Christmas concerts. In many states, peeing in public is labelled as “public indecency. " Under this categorization, offenders are labelled as flashers.

Most of these locations also have video surveillance; while you might think no one can see you, you are probably being monitored from a distance.

If you cannot find a public restroom, try to follow some of the tips above. Pee in a quiet, isolated space where you are unlikely to be heard or disturb anyone. If you cannot afford rent, but have some money saved up, try to buy a membership at a local gym or health center. A year’s membership often costs less than a full month’s rent and it will give you access to a shower, a locker room and a bathroom while it is open.

You may be required to appear in court if you cannot pay a fine or if you are charged with a more serious misdemeanor. If you have a court-appointed attorney to defend you, they must be able to prove that you had a reasonable and good faith necessity for the crime. [3] X Research source Research legal resources or lawyers who do pro-bono work for homeless people in your area. Many lawyers and legal advocates for the homeless can help clear charges for low-level misdemeanors like public urination. Some cities, such as Los Angeles, have offered deals in which minor crimes can be erased from a homeless person’s record if that person agrees to accept certain services, such as job training or addiction treatment programs. [4] X Research source

Your city or state may offer resources such as shelters, grant programs to help you move into an apartment, job training programs, mental health services, etc. [5] X Research source

You can also generally use the restrooms in fast food restaurants and gas stations without having to buy anything there. Areas with crowded bars and club will generally be filled with police.

If you are enjoying a long night out with friends, be sure to use the bathroom before you leave the bar or restaurant you are at.

Similarly, do not think that just because your friends have peed in public with no consequences that you will also go unpunished.