The Adult Sex Crimes Unit registers offenders that have been convicted of sex offenses committed against adult victims. The Juvenile Sex Crimes Unit registers offenders that have been convicted of sex offenses committed against juveniles. A three part form supplied by the Texas Department of Public Safety (INT-10 Form) is completed by the registering unit, and the original is forwarded to D.P.S. headquarters as the central record keeper. Another copy is forwarded to the Parole or Probation Department, and the registering unit retains the remaining copy.

BACKGROUND

A national trend toward increased supervision and registration of convicted sex offenders is evident. The U. S. Congress passed the Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (1994), and all fifty states have enacted laws requiring convicted sex offender registration.

In recent years state legislatures across the country have examined their sexual assault/sexual offense laws to find ways to increase community protection. The Texas Sex Offender Registration Law became effective on September 1, 1991, and was amended by the 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999, Regular Sessions of the Texas Legislature. The 1997, regular session changed the beginning date for sex offender convictions, requiring registration from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1970. This was an addition of (20) twenty years of "convicted" sex offenders who must register. The latest amendments have also mandated that offenders must re-register annually for lifetime if convicted of the following offenses under Texas Penal Code Sections:

• 21.11 Indecency With a Child

• 22.011 Sexual Assault

• 22.021 Aggravated Sexual Assault

• 25.02 Prohibited Sexual Conduct

• 43.05 Compelling Prostitution

• 43.25 Sexual Performance By a Child

• 43.26 Possession or promotion of child pornography

• 20.04 Aggravated Kidnapping with intent to sexually abuse

• 30.02 Burglary with intent to commit sexual assault

Those offenders having been convicted (1) one time for Attempted Sexual Assault or (2) two convictions of Indecent Exposure must register annually for a period of (10) ten years following discharge from supervision. An offender that has been convicted more than (1) one time for a sexually violent offense must register every (90) ninety days. Additionally, all offenders must keep the registering agency informed within (7) seven days upon the offender changing his/her address.

CHANGES IN LAW

The September 1, 1999, Texas Legislation changed the penalty for non-compliance of the registration law from a "state jail" felony for the above offenses to the following:

• Convictions for Attempted Sexual Assault and Indecent Exposure remained a State Jail Felony.

• Convictions for "Sexually Violent Offenses" listed in the above Penal Codes were enhanced from a "State Jail Felony" to a "Third Degree Felony." The offenders requiring ninety- (90) day registration was enhanced from a "State Jail Felony" to a "Second Degree Felony."

PUBLIC INFORMATION

The 1999 legislature amended the release of public information of registered sex offenders to "include" the following:

• Offenders numeric address

• Offenders photograph

• Offenders date of birth

• Offenders social security number

• Offenders drivers license number

For additional information regarding information of registered sex offenders refer to the Department of Public Safety website:

• http://records.txdps.state.tx.us

• http://www.crime-stoppers.org/houston_sex_offenders.php

• Texas VINE (Statewide automated crime victim information and notification system)

  Toll Free: 1-877-TX-4-VINE

  Information on Texas VINE from Attorney General

SUMMARY

Research and experience has shown that sex offenders have a very high rate of recidivism, which means that they pose a very high risk of committing additional violent sex crimes after being released from custody. It is imperative that they comply with the registration law and the terms of their conditions of parole/probation. It is believed that the closer monitoring of the offender will curtail the opportunity for repeated offenses and increase the apprehension of offenders, thus giving additional protection to the community.