Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), all convicted sex offenders are required to register with local law enforcement in the city or area in which they currently reside or intend to reside in the near future. Law …
Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), all convicted sex offenders are required to register with local law enforcement in the city or area in which they currently reside or intend to reside in the near future. Law enforcement at both the state and local level collect and maintain information about the whereabouts and occupations of sex offenders as a means of monitoring their activities and preventing them from committing additional crimes, including keeping members of the public informed about any offenders who have moved into their communities. But what happens if a convicted sex offender fails to register?
Failure to comply with any part of a sex offender registration order is a serious felony offense in the state of Texas, carrying expensive fines and possible prison time. For example, a person who is required to update their personal information every 90 days can face second degree felony charges if they fail to register, potentially resulting in a revocation of their probation, $10,000 in fines, and up to 20 years in state prison. If a person commits a violent federal crime after failing to register or maintain their registration, they could face a staggering 30 years in prison if convicted.
Depending on the details of a person’s order and the severity of their conviction, they may be required to update their personal information with law enforcement on an annual, semi-annual, or quarterly basis for a period of either 10 years to life. A person can fail to register in several ways:
- Never showing up to complete their registration
- Submitting incomplete or false information
- Skipping appointments with their supervision officer
If you have been accused of failing to register as a sex offender, it is urgent you retain the services of a powerful attorney to protect yourself against serious consequences. At Kyle Law Firm, our New Braunfels sex crime lawyers understand the severity of your situation and can provide the aggressive defense you need to ensure your rights are protected.
Find out what our 60+ years of combined legal experience can do for you – call (830)-730-4215 today.
