Being able to locate the density of sex offenders in Texas is an important skill to have. Because individuals who have been convicted of sexual offenses tend to have a very high recidivism rate, you should be aware of where they are so both you and your loved ones are prepared to stay away from them. In this article, we will explain precisely what the state of Texas has determined is a sex offender, how best to locate them, and then provide you with some statistics concerning Texas sex offenders.
Who is considered a Sex Offender in Texas?
You can find the statutes in Texas that outline what a sex offender in Texas is at https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02034F.pdf. Essentially, a sex offender is any individual that has committed a crime in which the conduct was sexually motivated. This ranges across a broad variety of topics and incidences, and the law empowers Texan courts a great deal of flexibility. A sex crime in Texas can be rape, aggravated sexual misconduct, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, and even sexual assault against minors.
In Texas, as with many other states in the county, sex offenders must register themselves on a Sex Offender Registry for a term dependent on the crime they were convicted of. Additionally, many jurisdictions require sex offenders to announce their presence to neighbors.
The Texas Department of State Health Services provides a listing of all of the statutes and laws that are currently in effect and deal with TX sex offenders. You can find this listing at https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records-service/texas-sex-offender-registration-program.
Generally speaking, sex offenders are not permitted to be anywhere near public places where children congregate, such as parks, playgrounds, schools and libraries.
How can you look up sex offender information in Texas?
You can access the Texas Sex Offender Registry through the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/SexOffenderRegistry. Here, by searching based on name, address, county, school, or even zip code, you can view a list of all of the sex offenders in your area or in any other area.
The Texas Department of Public Safety also provides an online database of the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders, which you can access at https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/SexOffenderRegistry. This database provides a physical description of the wanted individual, the potential reward for locating these offenders, and an explanation of why they have been placed on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders listing. This database functions only at the statewide level.
The TDPS also provides a Criminal History Name Search tool at https://securesite.dps.texas.gov/DpsWebsite/CriminalHistory/, which you can use to find further information about Texas sexual offenses.
Finally, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides an Offender Information Search tool at https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/ks_offender.html. This tool is used primarily for looking up the criminal records of persons in Texas prisons, including those convicted of sexual crimes.
Statistics about sex offenders in Texas
The state of Texas faces troubling statistics regarding sex offenders. According to data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, in 2018, there were 20,532 offenders involved in incidents of sexual assault, with a significant majority being male. Females accounted for a high percentage of sexual assault victims and indecency with child cases in Texas. The year 2021 saw over 19,000 reported sex offenses, with a concerning trend of only a small fraction of sex crimes being reported to the authorities. In 2020, the state reported 57,064 sex crimes, including numerous cases of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse.
Texas holds the highest number of registered sex offenders in the nation, with nearly 100,000 offenders, surpassing California’s count. The prevalence of sex crimes varies across different regions of Texas, with urban areas like Houston and Dallas reporting higher incidences compared to rural areas. Offenders face stringent legal consequences in Texas, including lengthy prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and supervision upon release.
Efforts to address sex crimes in Texas encompass various initiatives such as the accessible Sex Offender Registry for the public, public awareness campaigns on consent and reporting protocols, improved investigation and prosecution by law enforcement, victim support programs, and legislative enhancements to strengthen laws related to sex crimes. Despite these initiatives, the statistics highlight the persistent challenge of sexual violence in Texas, emphasizing the need for sustained attention and proactive measures from both society and its institutions.
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Finally, you should feel free to contact the sheriff’s office of your county to inquire about sex offenders in your county. Because of how sexual assault laws function, the sheriff will be able to provide you with the names and addresses of any convicted sex offenders in your area.