Texas Sex Offender Registry Information

The victims and sex offenders who have been convicted of child molestation and other sexual offenses living in Texas or are employed or studying in Texas can find information related to Texas sex offender registry by visiting the website https://records.txdps.state.tx.us. This website has the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) sex offender registration computerized central database. The information provided on the sex offender registrants is based on the facts that were provided by Texas Youth Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, or other local criminal justice agencies.

Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure is the law that governs the Sex Offender Registration Program. A local library in Texas can provide the reference materials for researching the law. You can also request the Crime Records service in writing for a copy of the legislation.

Sex Offender Registration

When sex offenders register with the local law enforcement in the jurisdiction where they reside, they have to provide certain details about themselves which include their names, alias names, address, sex, date of birth and other details which help them to be easily identified. In case an offender changes his/her name, address of residence or of the higher learning institute, school, college or university in Texas he/she is enrolled, or changed his place of employment, it is mandatory for the individual to inform beforehand. The individual who fails to comply with such regulations or does not provide the updated information will be penalized.

Offenders need to update information about themselves and their whereabouts by registering for a period of 10 years or for entire life; the length of time depends on the seriousness of the crime. For instance, an offender convicted of indecent exposure might register for 10 years, while someone who is a convicted rapist would have to register for life.

Texas does not allow paroled sex offenders to be within 500 feet of an area where children usually gather; the place is made the “child safety zone”. Offenders in probation have to maintain distance from children, but once they have completed their sentence, they are free from regulations to be around children.

After the release of a registered sex offender from prison, postcards bearing the name of the offender as well as his/her photo are usually mailed to homes within 1 mile of offenders living in rural regions and within 3 blocks of the offenders in municipal zones. This is done when it is doubted that the offender will be committing another crime.

There is 24 hours a day monitoring for civil commitment offenders by the law enforcement community. These offenders repeat sexually violent offenses and suffer from behavioral abnormality; they are committed for outpatient treatment as well as supervision.

Accessing Information:

If you are a concerned parent of minors, then Texas Department of Public Safety allows you to access criminal records via its crime records service (CRS); you can check the CRS public site https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Portal/index.aspx and the CRS secure site https://secure.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Portal/index.aspx. If the information that is provided on the websites regarding sex offenders is used by the people for injury, harassment or any other illegal act, the individual will be subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution.