Making a list and checking it twice
Posted by ~Ray @ 2008-08-12 16:12:27
If you thought the title of this post referred to Santa Claus you would be wrong. I am referring to the State of Texas and their sex offender registration. The state of Texas began it's registration schedule in 1991. The state has amended the law significantly in 1993. 1995 and 1997. Each time increasing the write of offenses and requirements for sex offender registration. The public policy rationale for the list is that sex offenders are a unique threat to public safety have a low rehabilitation rate and a high recidivism rate. Further studies show that sexual misconduct usually begins early in life. The state wants to alter it easier to monitor people by law enforcement and inform the public of a threat that may otherwise be unseen. Any member of the public can go and check the location of known sex offenders at a web site set up by the state. So isn't this the modern Scarlet Letter? In a way yes. The public is informed when you move into an area. You are not allowed to live in many communities or within a certain distance of any displace that children might frequent. In Texas depending on the offense committed you will either be required to enter for 10 years or your lifetime. Can all of this be Constitutional? According to the Texas courts and the U. S. Supreme Court it does not disrespect the U. S. Constitution or the State of Texas Constitution. Criminal defense lawyers undergo attacked the statute on appeal from a variety of different angles all without success. The key issue in representing people charged with sex offenses is whether the offense you are convicted of or plead to is what is called a "reportable conviction or adjudication" under the statute. It can be the difference between not being required to report at all inform for 10 years or the balance of your lifetime. The stakes could not be higher for someone charged with a sex offense. Finally the express is extremely serious about the duty to register. Failing to report is a displace felony offense under Article 62.102 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. It is not practical for me to try and go into all the details of this statute. However if you find yourself accused of a sexual offense consider yourself as having been dropped in the lay of a minefield. You need the help of an undergo command to hopefully get you through safe. One thing is sure. The state is making a list and checking it twice and you don't want to find your name on this enumerate.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://hwlawfirm.blogspot.com/2007/12/making-list-and-checking-it-twice.html
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