In the state of Texas, you could be required to register as a sex offender if you have been convicted of a sexually motivated crime. This may include a wide variety of offenses, including those related to sexual assault, prohibited sexual conduct, indecency with a child, compelling prostitution and possession of child pornography. The duration of one's registration will ultimately depend on the nature of the crime, as their determined punishment could last anywhere from 10 years to life. Since the passing of House Bill 867, however, convicted persons have been given the chance to request an early termination of their sex offender status—as long as they meet certain requirements. Currently, one would only be eligible for sex offender deregistration if it is true that:
- They have successfully completed sex offender treatment
- Their offense requires a shorter period of registration under federal law than state law
- They have not been convicted or more than one sexual offense
- They do not pose a significant threat of re-offending
If you believe that you meet these requirements, and you are interested in altering your sex offender status, it is important to understand that the deregistration process is actually quite rigorous. First, you will be required to submit a written request to the Texas Council on Sex Offender Treatment—along with required court documents and proof that you have completed sex offender treatment. The Council will then review the facts of your case to determine whether or not you are legally eligible for deregistration. If they sign off on your request, your case will be sent to a sex offender deregistration specialist, who will subsequently decide whether or not you still pose a threat to society. Should your case make it past this review, it will be up to a judge to grant your application.
That being said, it may be in your best interest to retain the help of a Fort Worth criminal lawyer if you are interested in clearing your name. Even if you meet the requirements for sex offender deregistration, there is a possibility that your request could be denied. For this reason, you should not hesitate to bolster your chances by trusting in the qualifications of The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry, P.C. Our firm is well-versed in all aspects of criminal law, so you can rest assured that your future is in good hands when you entrust us with your case. To get started, call our office today at (817) 756-1917 for a free consultation; we are available 24/7 to answer any questions that you may have. You can also submit a free case evaluation form online.