Having your name on a sex offender registry can have a negative impact on nearly all aspects of your life. In fact, registration as a sex offender can haunt you for the rest of your life long after you complete your sentence.
If you have been convicted of a sex crime that requires registration as a sex offender, you may wonder if there is a way to remove your name from the sex offender registry.
Fortunately, yes. You can remove your name from the list if you meet specific requirements. If you need assistance with the removal of your name from the sex offender registry, contact a Coryell County criminal defense lawyer.
Why Should You Remove Yourself from the Sex Offender Registry?
If you are convicted of sexual assault or any other sex crime, you might be required to register as a sex offender with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Registration as a sex offender is one of the penalties for sex crimes.
Having your name on the sex offender registry can negatively affect various aspects of your life, including your ability to get a job, find housing, or even take part in community events.
You should remove yourself from the sex offender registry if you are eligible to do so. Contrary to popular belief, your name does not have to be on the list permanently. If your meet specific requirements, you may be able to remove your name from the sex offender registry in Texas. The process is officially referred to as “deregistration.”
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove Your Name from the Sex Offender Registry in Texas
If your name is currently on the sex offender registry, you may be eligible to deregister if you meet the required legal criteria. Not all individuals whose names appear on the list are eligible for deregistration in Texas.
That is why it is advisable to consult with a knowledgeable attorney to determine if you meet the requirements to petition the court to remove your name from the registry.
Step 1: Confirm That You Meet the Requirements
In order to be eligible for deregistration in Texas, you cannot have two or more reportable convictions or adjudications for a sexual offense. You are not eligible to seek the early termination of your obligation to register as a sex offender.
If your order of conviction or deferred adjudication includes only one count for a sexual offense, you may be able to remove your name from the list. A Texas court will only consider convictions and adjudications entered in the State of Texas. Under the Adam Walsh Act, deferred adjudications are treated the same way as convictions.
Step 2: Confirm That You Meet the Minimum Required Registration Period
The second step is to go to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website. Specifically, you need to visit the Texas Public Sex Offender Registration page and scroll down to the “Additional Resources” section and click on “Texas Offenses Tiered Under the Federal Adam Walsh Act.”
You will see a list of reportable convictions and adjudications along with the minimum required registration periods (MRRP) under Texas and federal law. Find your conviction or adjudications on the list and confirm that you meet the MRRP to proceed with the deregistration.
Note: The MRRP for your conviction or adjudications must be greater than the MRRP under the Adam Walsh Act or federal law.
Step 3: Make Sure That You Meet Other Requirements
You need to confirm that you meet all other requirements to remove your name from the sex offender registry. You will see other conditions on the list of reportable convictions and adjudications on the DPS’s website. Some of the requirements include:
The victim’s age at the time of the sex offense;
The difference in age at the time of the offense; and
Facts related to the sex crime.
Step 4: Pay the Filing Fee and Submit Your Documentation
Finally, once you have ensured that you meet all of the requirements mentioned above, you must pay the filing fee and submit the following forms and documents to petition the court to remove your name from the sex offender registry:
Initial Eligibility Checklist for Deregistration;
Your conviction or deferred adjudication order;
If your offense involved a minor, you must produce a copy of the offense report, probable cause affidavit, or indictment to confirm the victim’s age at the time of the offense;
A current criminal history background check by the Texas DPS;
A current criminal history background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and
A check for the filing fee ($50).
You may also need to submit the following documents:
Proof of completion of the sex offender treatment if you have completed one;
Proof of discharge from community supervision or parole if you have been successfully discharged from community supervision or parole
After all of your documents are submitted to the court, they will be reviewed by the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The Council must approve your application in order to remove your name from the sex offender registry.
Once the Council approves your application, you will receive a letter informing you of the date and location of your deregistration evaluation. The evaluation will be conducted by a deregistration specialist.
Contact a knowledgeable attorney to help you remove your name from the sex offender registry through deregistration.
Speak with a Coryell County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Removing your name from the sex offender registry is no easy task. That is why it is advisable to contact an experienced criminal lawyer to help you with “deregistration.”
At The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard, we are committed to helping our clients remove their names from the sex offender registry if they meet the legal requirements. Contact our attorneys to help you file the required paperwork to remove your name from the registry.
Call 254-501-4040 or contact us online to discuss your particular situation and determine if you can remove yourself from the sex offender registry. We offer free consultations.
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