Being charged with a sex crime, such as sexual assault or indecent contact with a minor, is a serious matter. When convicted, the person will have to face the statutory penalties including the status of sex offender. That conviction can ruin the individual’s reputation, destroy their family and cause them to lose their employment.
The stakes couldn’t be higher and that is why it’s important to act quickly. The best way to fight against a failure to register or violation of sex offender probation charge is to hire an experienced and aggressive Texas sex offender registration lawyer. Contact Price & Twine, PLLC today.
Georgetown Sex Crimes Defense Attorney in TX
If you or someone you know has been arrested for a sex crime, then we urge you to contact Price & Twine, PLLC. Attorney Michael J. Price is an experienced criminal defense attorney who will make every effort to fight the allegations against you or have your charges reduced or even dismissed. Don’t wait for counsel – reach out to us today.
Having your photo and address on the Texas Sex Offender Registry hinders your opportunity to secure a job, find safe housing, or live a normal life. It’s time to fight these charges. Call attorney Michael J. Price today at (512) 354-1880 for a free consultation. His office can be found in Georgetown, but Price & Twine, PLLC represents people throughout the greater Williamson County and Bell County, Texas area.
Information Center
- Sex Offender Registration in Texas
- Texas Sex Crimes Penalties
- Failure to Register As a Sex Offender
- Additional Resources on Sex Offender Registration
Sex Offender Registration in Texas
Many sex crime convictions in Texas carry with them the penalty of required registration as a sex offender. The sex offender registry is public and because of that can have negative impacts on a person’s life. Sex crimes that require 10 years of registration include indecent exposure, indecency with a child, online solicitation of a minor, and prostitution.
Crimes that require a lifetime registration include one or more of the following:
- Unlawful Restraint (if the victim was younger than 17 years old)
- Kidnapping & Aggravated Kidnapping (if the victim was younger than 17 years old)
- Trafficking of Persons
- Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Children
- Sexual Assault & Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Prohibited Sexual Conduct
- Compelling Prostitution of a Minor
- Sexual Performance by a Child
- Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography
- Burglary with the intent to commit a sex crime
- Sexual performance by a child
Texas Sex Crimes Penalties
There are several offenses that are classified as sex crimes and have the potential of resulting in a sex offender registration. In addition to this, they also carry steep penalties. According to the Texas Penal Code, sex crimes can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the alleged actions of the accused.
A misdemeanor sex crime conviction could result in the following:
- Class C misdemeanor: Up to $500 in fines
- Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and / or up to $2,000 in fines
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail & up to $4,000 in fines
A felony sex offense conviction will incur penalties as follows:
- First-degree felony: 5 – 99 years or life prison & up to $10,000 in fines
- Second-degree felony: 2 – 20 years in prison & up to $10,000 in fines
- Third-degree felony: 2 – 10 years in prison & up to $10,000 in fines
- State jail felony: 180 days – 2 years in state jail & up to $10,000 in fines
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
If a person has been convicted of a sex crime that requires sex offender registry, they are required to comply with sex offender registration laws. Failing to comply can result in severe penalties. If an individual moves to a new city without notifying law enforcement, they can also be charged with failure to register correctly.
Failure to register for a 10-year registry crime can result in a state jail felony punishable by 180 days-2 years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Failure to register for a lifetime registry crime or to verify registration once a year can result in a third-degree felony punishable by 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. It’s important to stay up to date in order to avoid a possible charge.
Additional Resources on Sex Offender Registration
The Texas Department of Public Safety: Sex Offender Search – Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website to view crime records. The webpage also offers reports and statistics, sex offender research, and a criminal history research. Texans can access the public sex offender search to look up a sex offender through address, name, or institute of higher education.
Travis County Sheriff’s Office: Sex Offender Registration – The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for sex offender registration, public notification, and enforces sex offender registration laws. Visit the website to obtain the sex offender registration phone number.
Texas Sex Offender Registry Lawyers in Georgetown
People charged with serious sex offender crimes should carefully consider their legal options. At Price & Twine, PLLC, our Texas criminal defense attorneys have the skills and experience required to defend sex crimes charges. If you were arrested for a sex offense, please do not hesitate to call us today at (512) 354-1880 for a free, confidential consultation.
Price & Twine, PLLC represents clients in Georgetown, TX. We also defend clients in any of the surrounding areas of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Belton or Harker Heights. Contact Price & Twine, PLLC immediately begin your defense against the evidence.