The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program has been in place since 1991. The law encompassing this program can be found in Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The purpose of the law is to protect the public from sex offenders by requiring them to register with their local law enforcement authority. Sex offenders must periodically verify their information, and they must notify their local law enforcement authority of any changes. Registered sex offenders must also follow restrictions on where they can live and work in Texas.
If you have been convicted as a sex offender, you should seek legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense lawyer to ensure you are in full compliance with your requirements. Failure of sex offenders to comply with any of the stipulations under the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program is a felony offense. A lawyer can advise you on how to follow the law, and they can represent you should you face a felony charge for noncompliance with the law. Mary E. Conn & Associates is a highly experienced criminal defense law firm in Texas, and our team of lawyers may be able to help you navigate the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program. Give us a call today so our team can help with your case.
Who Must Register as a Sex Offender in Texas?
The statewide sex offender database is a valuable resource for the community because it informs the public on who has been convicted as a sex offender. A person must register as a sex offender if one of the following facts applies to them:
- The person has a conviction or adjudication that is required to be recorded under the statute.
- The person must register in order to be released on parole or released to mandatory supervision.
- The person must register in order to be under community supervision.
- The person is a registered sex offender in an outside jurisdiction.
If any of the above facts applies to you, the law requires you to register as a sex offender by the date that is the later of (i) the seventh day after arriving in your respective municipality or county, or (ii) the first date that your local law enforcement authority’s policy will allow you to register or verify your registration, whichever is applicable.
The extensive list of reportable convictions and adjudications can be found in Article 62.001(5) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The information that a sex offender must give to their local enforcement authority includes, but is not limited to, the person’s full name, date of birth, home address, recent photograph, the type of offense of which they were convicted, and their vehicle registration information.
General Rules and Restrictions That Govern Sex Offenders in Texas
Sex offenders must provide any updates to their information, and the law also requires them to verify their information with law enforcement on a regular basis. People classed as sexually violent predators must verify their information once every thirty days. People with two or more offenses categorized as sexually violent must verify their information once every ninety days. The remaining sex offenders must verify their information once a year. All adult sex offenders must be registered either for life or for ten years after being discharged from state supervision. Incarceration, parole, and community supervision all qualify as state supervision. The law defines which offenses require lifetime registration, and an experienced attorney can walk you through the statute and explain its various requirements.
Registered sex offenders are not free to live or work wherever they wish. Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure does not explicitly prevent sex offenders from living near certain places, but city ordinances and Texas supervision and parole laws can establish child safety zones. Such zones outlaw sex offenders from going within a certain distance of places like schools, daycares, or playgrounds. A sex offender cannot live near or visit such places where children are regularly present. Additionally, state laws that regulate certain trades or occupations can exclude sex offenders from participating.
Contact the Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys With Mary E. Conn & Associates Today
The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program is a valuable resource designed to keep society safe. The statute requires certain people to register as sex offenders, and it provides rules and restrictions that govern registered sex offenders in Texas. Sex offenders face a felony offense if they violate any of the requirements under the statute. Our team of talented criminal defense lawyers wants to help sex offenders understand the law and its restrictions.
Mary E. Conn & Associates has a team of highly experienced lawyers who want to help you. If you are a registered sex offender, you need a legal advocate who can explain the law and represent you well. Call us now at (713) 357-4190, or you can fill out our contact form.