In Collin County, Texas, state law requires that anyone convicted of certain types of offenses register as sex offenders. Depending upon whether the offense is defined as a “sexually violent” offense, the sex offender may or may not have to register for the rest of their life. In some situations, certain crimes (typically non-contact offenses) require an offender to register only for a specific period of time. The Collin County Community Supervision and Corrections (CSCD) website clarifies, “Collin County CSCD works closely with area law enforcement agencies and Texas DPS to ensure that registration information is accurate and up-to-date for all offenders.”
If you have been convicted of a crime that requires sex offender registration, or if you are facing sex crimes charges, what do you need to know about sex offender registration? These laws are very complicated, and you should always seek help from a Collin County sex crimes attorney.
Learning About the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program
The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program is governed by Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It is “a sex offender registration and publication notification law designed to protect the public from sex offenders,” and it “requires adult and juvenile sex offenders to register with the local law enforcement authority of the city they reside in or, if the sex offender does not reside in a city, with the local law enforcement authority of the county they reside in.”
To be clear, whether you live in a city such as Plano or McKinney, or if you live out in a more rural area of Collin County, and if you have been convicted of a sex crime, you must register with the Collin County CSCD.
Who Must Register?
Under Texas Law, anyone with a “reportable conviction or adjudication” must register as a sex offender. Examples of a reportable conviction or adjudication can include the following:
- Sexual abuse of a young child;
- Indecency with a child;
- Sexual assault;
- Aggravated sexual assault;
- Prohibited sexual conduct;
- Compelling prostitution; and
- Aggravated kidnapping, when committed with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually
If you have been charged with a crime that might fall under the category of a “reportable conviction or adjudication,” or if you have been convicted of an offense that might require registration as a sex offender, it is important to seek assistance from a Collin County criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Registering as a Sex Offender in Collin County for Crimes Committed Outside of Texas
If you were convicted of a sex crime outside of Texas and recently moved to Collin County, do you still have to register as a sex offender? In short, the answer is yes if the crime is characterized as a “reportable conviction or adjudication.”
Required Information for Sex Offender Registration in Collin County
Sex offender registration requires the submission of substantial information, including but not limited to:
- Identifying and contact information, including the person’s name, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, social security number, driver’s license number, shoe size, home address (or detailed description of residence), any aliases, home phone number, work phone number, and cell phone number;
- Recent color photograph of the person and a full set of fingerprints;
- Information about the offense for which the person was convicted, including the age of the victim, date of conviction, and punishment;
- Information about the person’s current status, such as whether the person has been discharged, is on parole, or has been released on probation, community supervision, or mandatory supervision;
- Information about any business, occupational, or professional licenses, certificates, or permits held by the person;
- Employment information or information about where the person will be a student;
- “Online identifier” information; and
- Any other information required by the Texas Department of Public Safety
Contact a Collin County Criminal Defense Attorney
Sex offender registration in Collin County, Texas, is a complicated process. If you have questions or concerns about your registration status or need help building a criminal defense for a sex crime charge, an experienced sex crimes defense attorney in Collin County can assist you. Contact Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian today for more information.