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What is Texas’ sex offender registry?

On Behalf of | Apr 12, 2021 | Sex Crimes |

In addition to imprisonment, conviction of a sex offense in Texas My have other serious and long-lasting consequences for your reputation, finances, and career. State law requires anyone convicted of certain sex crimes to register with local enforcement. This information is placed on the Texas sex offender registry which is accessible to police and the public.

Registration

Convicted adult and juvenile sex offenders must register with local or county law enforcement where they reside. The law’s requirements cover any person with a reportable crime or adjudication, a person who must register as parole condition or release to mandatory supervision, anyone required to register as a condition of community supervision or an out-of-state registrant.

They are required to provide their name and address, a color photo, and the crime that they were convicted or adjudicated for. They also must periodically report to their local law enforcement for verification of this information. Any changes should be promptly reported. Violations of these requirements are a criminal offense.

Individuals must register for conviction or adjudications occurring as far back as Sept. 1, 1970. A partial listing of reportable offenses under federal, Texas, other state or military law includes:

  • Continuous sexual abuse of young child or children.
  • Indecency with a child.
  • Sexual assault.
  • Aggravated sexual assault.
  • Prohibited sexual misconduct.
  • Prostitution.
  • Aggravated promotion of prostitution.
  • Compelling prostitution.
  • Sexual performance by a child.
  • Possession or promotion of child pornography.
  • Trafficking of persons.

Other crimes such as burglary and kidnapping require reporting depending on the victims and other circumstances. Crimes must be reported even during the pendency of an appeal.

Public notification

There are several ways that the public is notified. The Texas Department of Public Safety has a statewide sex offender registration database. It contains all the information submitted to local law enforcement by sex offenders who must register. Most information on this database is freely accessible to the public through the TXDPS website.

Under state law, most registration contained in local registries available to the public. Many local law enforcement agencies have their own websites that the public can access.

Texas law also allows local police to publish some sex offenders in a newspaper, circular or other local periodical. In some cases, information will be given to schools. If a high-risk sex offender or a civilly committed sexual predator moves into a town, the TXDPS will mail a postcard to each residence and business in that community containing information about that person.

You may lose important rights and face serious consequences if you do not promptly seek legal representation. An attorney can help you defend against these charges.