Texas sex offender registry requirements
In Texas, someone may be required to register as a sex offender if he or she has a conviction or adjudication for certain offenses.
February 28, 2013
Texas sex offender registry requirementsArticle provided by Law Offices of Frank Jackson
Visit us at http://www.sex-crime-defense-texas.com/
Since 1991, Texas has had some form of sex offender registry. This article provides a basic overview of when someone is required to register and the information he or she must provide, but anyone who may be required to register should contact a criminal defense attorney to ensure he or she is complying with current laws, as they are frequently a matter of legislative attention.
Who must register?
Across the nation, people convicted of a sex offense are often required to provide their information to local law enforcement agencies to be included in an online database. In Texas, someone may be required to register as a sex offender if he or she has a conviction or adjudication for certain offenses, including:
-Sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault
-Prohibited sexual conduct
-Indecency with a child or sexual abuse of a child
-Possession of child pornography
-Online solicitation of a minor
-Compelling prostitution
-Aggravated kidnapping
What information must be provided?
An individual required to participate in the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program must provide a significant amount of personal information to his or her local law enforcement agency. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, this information includes the following:
-Full name and aliases
-Birth date
-Sex
-Race
-Height and weight
-Physical description including eye and hair color
-Shoe size
-Social Security number
-Driver's license number
-Home address or area of residence
-Home, work and cellphone numbers
-Color photograph
-Fingerprints
-Conviction and victim information
-Employment or educational status
-Any "online identifiers" used by the individual
Much of this information is made available to the public on the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry. However, certain information is kept private by law enforcement, including the individual's Social Security number, driver's license number, telephone numbers, online identifiers and information that would identify the victim of the convicted or adjudicated offense.
This information must be provided to the appropriate agency regularly, and any changes should be reported as soon as they take place. A person may be charged with a felony for failure to register or failure to comply with Texas registration requirements, so it is important to follow the procedures carefully.
The consequences of a sex crime conviction can be far-ranging, including mandatory registration as a sex offender. If you have been accused of a sex offense, contact a criminal defense attorney with experience in sex crime cases to begin your legal defense.