When Is a Person Required to Register as a Sex Offender in Texas?

 Posted on December 29,2021 in Criminal Defense

While all criminal charges can be serious, certain types of offenses can lead to especially harsh sentences that can affect a person for the rest of their life. These include sex crimes, and a person who is convicted of these types of offenses may not only be sentenced to prison and required to pay large fines, but they can face restrictions that affect nearly every aspect of their lives. When a person is required to register as a sex offender, this may limit where they can live, what types of jobs they can hold, their ability to pursue education or obtain loans, and their personal relationships. By understanding when sex offender registration will be required and the restrictions that this will place on a person, a criminal defendant can determine the steps they can take to avoid or minimize the consequences of a conviction.

Reportable Convictions and Adjudications

Sex offender registration is required for anyone who has a “reportable conviction or adjudication,” including those who plan to live in Texas after being convicted of certain sex crimes in another state. Crimes that require sex offender registration include:

• Sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault

• Continuous sexual abuse of a young child

• Indecency with a child

• Possession or promotion of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child, or sexual performance by a child

• Online solicitation of a child

• Prostitution, including felony solicitation of prostitution, compelling prostitution, and aggravated promotion of prostitution

• Kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, or unlawful restraint of a child under the age of 17 or in which a person intended to commit a sex crime against a victim

• Trafficking of persons or continuous trafficking of persons

• Burglary in which a person intended to commit sexual assault or kidnapping

• A second or subsequent conviction of indecent exposure

• Bestiality

A person convicted of sexual offenses will be required to register as a sex offender for at least 10 years. Lifetime registration is required if a person is convicted of a sexually violent offense and most cases involving sex crimes against children.

A person who has a reportable conviction or adjudication will be required to register with the local law enforcement agency (the police department or sheriff) in the municipality where they reside. They must register within seven days after they arrive in a city or county. They will be required to provide their name, birth date, Social Security number, driver’s license number, and other identifying information, including their race, sex, weight, height, eye color, hair color, and shoe size. Multiple other forms of information will be required, including a person’s address; phone numbers of their home, cell phone, and place(s) of employment; registration information for their vehicle(s); and “online identifiers” such as email addresses or accounts used on social networks or other websites. The sex offender registry will include details about the person’s offense, the age of the victim(s), whether they have been released from custody or are on parole or community supervision, and a color photo. Most of this information will be made available to the public through an online database.

Contact Our Collin County Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys

Since the requirement to register as a sex offender can place serious limits on a person’s life, it is important for anyone who is accused of sex crimes to determine their best options for defending against these charges. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., we can help alleged offenders build the best defense strategy, and we will provide representation to help a person obtain the best possible results during their case. Contact our Plano sexual offenses defense lawyers at 214-544-0061 to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.62.htm

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records-service/faq/criminal-history-records-and-texas-sex-offender-registration#Sex-offender