Sex Offender Registration in Texas
Sex-offender registration under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 62 is not part of the criminal sentence. It is a collateral consequence that follows a conviction, and for many defendants it is the worst consequence. The registry is public. It restricts where you can live, where you can work, and where you can go. It follows you across state lines. And for many offenses, it never ends.
Who Must Register
Registration is mandatory upon conviction for a “reportable conviction or adjudication” as defined by article 62.001(5). The list is long. It includes sexual assault (§ 22.011), aggravated sexual assault (§ 22.021), indecency with a child (§ 21.11), continuous sexual abuse of a child (§ 21.02), online solicitation of a minor (§ 33.021), possession or promotion of child pornography (§ 43.26), sexual performance by a child (§ 43.25), and many others. It also includes attempts, conspiracies, and out-of-state convictions for equivalent offenses.
Deferred adjudication for a reportable offense still requires registration. A juvenile adjudication can require registration. A conviction in another state can require registration in Texas if you move here.
Duration
| Category | Registration Period |
|---|---|
| Most reportable offenses | 10 years from conviction or release from custody, whichever is later |
| Sexually violent offenses (as defined by Art. 62.001(6)) | Lifetime |
| Offenses against children under 17 | Lifetime, in most cases |
| Second reportable conviction | Lifetime |
Requirements
A registered sex offender must verify the registration information with local law enforcement at regular intervals: annually for the 10-year tier, every 90 days for lifetime registrants. The registrant must report any change of address, employment, or vehicle within 7 days. The registrant must notify law enforcement before traveling internationally. The registrant’s name, photograph, address, and offense are published on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s public sex-offender database.
Restrictions
Registered sex offenders whose victims were minors are subject to “child safety zones” under Article 62.063. A registrant may not reside within 500 feet of a school, daycare, playground, or youth facility, and may not go near those locations except for limited purposes. Municipalities can impose additional restrictions. Landlords, employers, and neighbors are notified. The practical effect is to limit where a registrant can live and work for the duration of registration.
Failure to Register
Failure to comply with sex-offender registration requirements is a separate criminal offense. The severity depends on the underlying conviction: a state jail felony for most offenses, a third-degree felony if the underlying offense involved a child, and a second-degree felony for sexually violent offenses. A person can be convicted of failure to register even if the underlying sex offense was a misdemeanor.
Deregistration
Deregistration is available in very narrow circumstances. This State-published guide is a good starting point; you won’t need a lawyer till Step 3. We have been able to get deregistration for one client.
If you are facing charges that carry sex-offender registration, contact Bennett & Bennett at 713-224-1747.