What Crimes Can You Put on the Sex Offenders List in Texas?

You have to register as a sex offender for certain crimes in Texas. If you don’t register, you can face prosecution if you were convicted after September 1, 1970. The registry is public and features information about the offender and their specific offenses.

If you are accused of a sex crime, you need immediate assistance from a criminal defense attorney in San Marcos.

Types of Common Offenses

Below are common crimes that are considered registered sex offenses.

1. Sexual Assault

In Texas, sexual assault is defined as non-consensual contact that involves coercion or penetration. This crime involves a situation where the victim is threatened, physically forced, or unable to consent because of mental incapacity, intoxication, or age.

2. Aggravated Sexual Assault

This crime steps up the seriousness of sexual assault, as it involves aggravating factors, such as serious bodily injury or the use of a deadly weapon. The penalties are therefore harsher than they are for sexual assault.

3. Indecency with a Child

This crime involves engaging in sexual activity with a minor who is under 17 years old or causing a child to engage in sexual activity for an offender’s own gratification. The crime may include exposing oneself for sexual arousal or gratification.

4. Sexual Performance by a Child

Causing a child under 18 years old to engage in any type of sexual conduct for visual materials (videos or photos) is also a crime that must be registered.

5. Possessing or Distributing Child Pornography

Possessing or distributing pornographic images and videos of children is another crime that is included as a sex offense in the sex registry.

6. Prohibited Sexual Conduct

This crime involves engaging in sexual activity with a relative, such as a sibling, grandparent, or parent.

7. Solicitation of a Minor Online

This offense involves contact with a minor via electronic means, such as text messaging, social media, or email, to engage in sexual activity or to ask that the minor engage in prohibited sexual behavior.

8. Continuous Sex Abuse of a Child or Children

This crime happens when the perpetrator engages in two or more acts of sexual abuse against a child or children under the age of 14 years old during a certain period.

Other Offenses That are Listed as Sex Offender Crimes

Other crimes that must be registered in the Sex Offenders’ Registry include:

• Encouraging child prostitution
• Aggravated kidnapping, if the crime was intended to abuse the victim sexually
• Burglary, if the offense was coupled with aggravated kidnapping where sexual assault is involved
• Illegal restraint or kidnapping

Also, crimes that fall under the Uniform Code of Military Justice that meet the requirements of the above-mentioned crimes require registration – provided that the defendant is an active member of the military.

It’s the state’s obligation to notify sex offenders that they must register before they’re released from prison.

What Happens If You Don’t Register?

Both adult and juvenile sex offenders must register, in Texas, with the local law enforcement authority where they live. Registration requires the offender to provide their name and address, a color photo, and the convicted offense.

Registered sex offenders are also required to report periodically to their local law enforcement authority to confirm the accuracy of their information in the registry. They must also report any changes as they occur. Any failure to comply in this regard is subject to a felony prosecution.

The Purpose of the Registering

Sex offender registries are meant to let people know who may be sex offenders in their community. The law also prevents registered offenders from living, working, or visiting any location where they could commit a sex crime, such as a playground or school.

The amount of time you’re required to register depends on the nature of the offense. In some cases, you may have to register for life. In addition, the law was changed in 2018. Therefore, a sex offender who pled guilty in exchange for not registering must register now.

If you don’t register or update your status in this regard, you can face severe penalties – as much as 10 years in prison plus fines. If you haven’t registered and committed a violent crime, you may have to spend up to 99 years in prison. Needless to say, it’s in your best interest to consult with an attorney if you have questions along these lines.

Types of Penalties

Examples of penalties include the following:

• A state jail felony conviction can lead to six months to two years in a Texas jail
• A third-degree felony conviction may result in two to 10 years in prison
• Second-degree felony conviction may lead to two to 20 years in prison
• A first-degree felony can end in a conviction of five to 99 years in prison

Plus, all the above convictions may include fines of up to $10,000.

Contact a Sex Crimes Attorney Today

If you’ve committed a crime where you must register as a sex offender, you need to receive help from a sex crimes attorney. In Texas, contact the Mendoza Law Firm with your questions and concerns. Failing to register is indeed an expensive mistake.