Each state has a sex offender registration program. In Texas, our program is covered under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. There are a number of sexual offenses that typically require sex offender registration, including but not limited to:
- Sexual assault
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child
- Indecency with a child
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Possession or promotion of child pornography
- Sexual performance by a child
- Prohibited sexual conduct
The purpose of mandatory sex offender registration is to protect the public from convicted sex offenders. Under Texas law, both adult and juvenile sex offenders are required to register with their local law enforcement in the city where they live, or if the sex offender does not live in a city, he or she is supposed to register with local law enforcement in the county where they live.
Sex offender registration means the sex offender must provide the following information with their local law enforcement authority:
- Full name
- Home address
- Date of birth
- Work or cell number
- Social Security number
- Driver license number
- Complete set of fingerprints
- A recent color picture of themselves
- Their vehicle registration number
- Color, make and model of their vehicle
- The offense the offender was convicted of, and age of victim
- And more
Sex offenders who are required by law to register, must promptly notify the authorities if there are any changes in their information, such as their change of address. If a sex offender fails to adhere to anyof the registration requirements, he or she can be charged with a felony offense.
Under Art. 62.102, Failure to Comply with Registration Requirements, of the Code of Criminal Procedure, failing to register as a sex offender is a state jail felony, a felony of the third degree, or a felony of the second degree depending on the facts of the case.
How Long Do I Register For?
It depends on the conviction. Adult offenders in Texas either register for 10 years after they are discharged from state supervision, such as incarceration, parole, or community supervision, or they register for life.
Lifetime registration is reserved for the most serious offenders, such as those who sexually abuse children, those who are guilty of rape, and those who commit a sex offense while burglarizing a residence. To learn more about sex offender registration, check out these FAQs by the Texas Department of Public Safety.