Sex offenses are some of the most serious crimes that a person can be accused of, as conviction almost always comes with mandatory registration as a Sex Offender. This can have far-reaching consequences for registrants, making it especially important for those who have been accused of a sex crime, to speak with an experienced Houston sex offense lawyer about building a strong defense. 

Registration Requirements

Individuals who are required to register as sex offenders in Texas must contact their local law enforcement agency as soon as they have completed their sentence. At this time, a person will need to submit details about where they live and their occupation, as well as a photo and information about their conviction. Once placed in the registry, this information will become a matter of public record. 

Offenders will need to report back to law enforcement officers for at least once a year, but often much more frequently. If, for instance, a registrant changes residences, he or she will need to notify local law enforcement within seven days before the move. Offenders will also be barred from working in certain professions and forbidden from living near public parks, schools, and other child safety zones. Any violation of these rules could result not only in the revocation of the registrant’s release, but also the addition of new charges. 

Lifetime Registration

Those who are convicted of certain sex offenses will be required to stay on the state’s Sex Offender Registry for the rest of their lives. These crimes include:

• Kidnapping;
• Aggravated kidnapping;
• Human trafficking;
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Sexual assault;
• Prohibited sexual conduct;
• Compelling the prostitution of a minor; and
• The possession or promotion of child pornography. 

Even those who are convicted of these kinds of offenses could eventually seek early termination of their sex offender registration by filing an official motion with the court and undergoing an individual risk assessment, at which point a judge will decide to deny or approve the request. Individuals who were convicted of these offenses as minors often have a better chance at receiving an early termination. 

Ten Year Registration

Not all individuals who are convicted of a sex crime will have to stay on the sex offender registry for life. Some sex crimes, for instance, come with a ten year registration requirement, including:

• Indecent exposure;
• Indecency with a child;
• Online solicitation of a minor; and
• Prostitution. 

It’s important to note that even when the ten year mark has expired, a person should not just stop registering immediately. Instead, they will still need to file a motion with the court before officially seeking termination. 

Call Today for Help with Your Defense

Those who are convicted of sex offenses in Texas face serious penalties, including mandatory registration as a sex offender. To learn more about the penalties you may be facing and potential strategies to avoid them, please call our experienced sex offense legal team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates in Houston, League City, and Galveston at 281-962-7626 today. 

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