Violating your probation terms in Texas has consequences, and the severity will have different factors. Probation grants community supervision instead of jail on condition you follow strict rules. Not following those rules adds penalties. Understanding the process is vital to ensure you follow what you are supposed to do, along with what you should do if you violate your probation. A Texas lawyer can help you understand more of these rules or what to do if you mess up on the rules.

Probation is Like a Second Chance

Probation offers a second chance. It allows you to serve your sentence supervised within society. However, freedom depends on closely obeying all probation requirements laid out by the judge. These often include regular check-ins with your probation officer, maintaining work or education, completing counseling programs and drug tests, adhering to activity restrictions, and performing community service.

Strict compliance demonstrates your determination to become a productive, law-abiding citizen again. However, violations contradict that goal, which can lead to penalties.

The Violation Process in Texas

If you breach probation terms, your supervision officer documents how you violated conditions in a sworn affidavit submitted to the court. Common violations include:

• Missing scheduled meetings with your probation officer or being unreachable
• Failing to pass court-ordered drug tests or attempting to falsify results
• Not completing mandated counseling programs such as anger management
• Traveling outside permitted geographic areas without authorization
• Getting arrested or convicted for new crimes during probation

Once your violation is alleged, a judge hears your probation violation case at a court hearing where you answer to accusations. Your lawyer can argue against revocation, but it is up to the court and judge to decide what happens.

Potential Consequences of Violating Probation

Judges exercise discretion when sanctioning violations based on circumstances. Possibilities range from verbal warnings and increased probation restrictions to community service, jail time, full revocation with prison time, or reinstating your original suspended sentence.

For unintentional minor issues like being late to an appointment, sanctions like tightened probation terms may be light. Willful, serious breaches often carry much harsher penalties. Violations demonstrate resistance to rehabilitation, undermining the premise of probation.

Contact a Denton County, TX Criminal Defense Lawyer

You should not try to navigate this type of case yourself. Working with a Cooke County, TX attorney can help with the best potential outcome. There is a lot of legal jargon to know, and having legal representation on your side is beneficial. Call Magaña & Van Dyke at 940-382-1976 for a free consultation.

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Being convicted of a DWI offense in Texas sets off a years-long chain reaction of additional penalties that can negatively impact your finances, career, and overall quality of life long after the conviction itself. Beyond potential jail time and immediate criminal consequences, a Texas DWI conviction initiates a sequence of burdensome costs, barriers, and suspensions that penalize you well into the future. A Texas lawyer can help you with your DWI conviction.

Lengthy License Suspension

Depending on the number of your prior DWI convictions and other case factors, a guilty verdict in Texas can result in the suspension of your driver’s license. Depending on the offense, this can last anywhere from 30 to 180 days. This suspension can have devastating ripple effects for those reliant on driving for work or family transportation. Missed shifts or losing jobs are common outcomes.

Skyrocketing Auto Insurance Rates

A DWI conviction represents a major red flag that will send your car insurance premiums soaring steeply. In Texas, annual insurance rates commonly escalate by anywhere from $1,000 up to over $2,500 per year for a minimum of three years following a DWI conviction. Those with multiple prior offenses often pay much higher premium hikes that last even longer.

Multiple Years of Ignition Interlock Costs

After any license suspension period, convicted DWI offenders in Texas must pay out of pocket to have a court-ordered ignition interlock device professionally installed and maintained in their vehicles for between six months to three or more years before being eligible to drive unrestricted again. These devices can incur fees of $70-$150 per month paid by the offender.

Serious Barriers to Securing Employment

Since many employers routinely conduct criminal background checks on applicants, a DWI conviction that appears on your record could negatively impact future job prospects if hiring managers pass judgments on the offense. Some jobs in fields like education, healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement may be restricted or unattainable.

Steep Financial Penalties Add Up

On top of court fines, lawyer fees, and the base costs of a DWI program, those convicted also become liable for:

• Vehicle towing
• Impound fees
• Monthly interlock maintenance costs
• Expensive SR-22 insurance premiums
• Court-ordered substance abuse classes
• Probation costs
• Other expenses that commonly total thousands of dollars over time

The extended damaging effects of a DWI conviction can burden offenders and their families for years past the date of arrest. This is why fighting charges aggressively from the start is so crucial.

Contact a Cooke County, TX DWI Lawyer

If you need help navigating a DWI case, a Denton County, TX DWI attorney can help. You will know what steps to take throughout the process. Contact Magaña & Van Dyke at 940-382-1976 for a free consultation.

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If you are serving probation in Texas, violating any probation terms could lead to serious consequences like incarceration or reimposition of a suspended prison sentence. But what kinds of actions could cause a judge to rule you have violated probation? Here are some of the main ways probation can potentially be revoked and how a lawyer can help

Committing a New Offense

One clear probation violation is being arrested or convicted for a new criminal offense during the probation term. Texas judges do not take probationers breaking the law again lightly, even if charges are dismissed. An arrest, charges, or new conviction could all trigger revocation proceedings.

Failing Drug or Alcohol Tests

Most probation terms strictly require abstaining from all illegal drugs and alcohol consumption. Failing an ordered drug or alcohol test indicates prohibited substance use in direct violation of probation rules. Even testing positive for legal substances like marijuana could be considered a violation by some judges.

Missing Mandatory Meetings

When on probation in Texas, meeting regularly with probation officers as scheduled is typically required. Missing too many scheduled meetings and check-ins without an acceptable excuse approved by the officer leads to violation reports being filed. Frequently showing up late can also prompt alleged violations.

Not Completing Ordered Programs

If the court’s probation terms order completing counseling, classes, community service hours, or other rehabilitative programs, failing to fully comply as directed by the judge could lead to alleged violations. Judges want to see good faith efforts toward reform.

Unauthorized Travel

Being in probation in Texas means you must get preapproval from their probation officer before moving residences or traveling outside their county or state. Unauthorized moves or trips commonly result in allegations of absconding supervision. Even technical violations carry steep consequences.

Failure to Pay Fines and Fees

While judges will often work with people, intentionally failing to pay court-ordered costs, fines, victim restitution, etc., does qualify as a violation of probation terms. However, extensions may be granted if efforts are demonstrated. Willful nonpayment often prompts harsher responses.

Contact a Denton County Criminal Defense Attorney

Even minor violations of any probation condition can have severe penalties, including incarceration if a judge revokes probation. Working with a Texas criminal defense lawyer is beneficial so you can know which steps you should take next. Call Magaña & Van Dyke at 940-382-1976 for a free consultation to see where you are at for your specific case and which step you should take next.

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Police in Texas use deception when interrogating suspects, but within limits. They cannot cross ethical or legal lines. Understanding exactly when the tactics become unacceptable is key. If brought in for questioning, you must know your rights. Deceptive police tactics can wrongly pressure people into admissions or false confessions. Working with a lawyer can help you so you know when and how to answer the questions

Common Types of Deceptive Interrogation Tactics Used in Texas

Among the most frequent deceptive tactics Texas police use are:

• Falsely claiming eyewitnesses identified the suspect when no witnesses actually exist.
• Bluffing that a suspect’s friend, accomplice, or co-defendant has already confessed and implicated the suspect, in order to elicit admissions.
• Exaggerating or minimizing the potential criminal charges the suspect faces in order to intimidate or persuade a confession.
• Deceiving the suspect into thinking prosecutors will “go easy” or offer plea bargains if they confess.

Police use deception to pressure suspects into making admissions or confessions during interrogations. Their lies are strategically designed to manipulate people into telling the “truth.” However, these tactics can result in false confessions as well. Suspects often do not fully understand their rights or how the justice system works. This lack of knowledge allows officers to exploit people into confessing to things they did not actually do.

Legal Limits on Police Deception Under Texas Law

While general deception may be permitted, police deception during interrogation is not without some limitations under Texas law:

• Officers cannot promise more lenient sentencing or outright immunity from charges in direct exchange for a confession.
• Police cannot threaten physical harm to the suspect or make threats of consequences to a suspect’s family, friends, or loved ones outside the criminal justice system.
• Law enforcement must clearly convey Miranda rights and cannot deny suspects their broader constitutional and legal protections.

Any confession resulting specifically from these prohibited interrogation techniques will be legally used as evidence.

Remaining Silent Is Your Strongest Protection

The moment an interrogation tactic crosses into clearly prohibited threats, coercion, denial of rights, or quid pro quo promises, any resulting confession made becomes legally inadmissible as evidence.

Contact a Dallas Criminal Defense Attorney

When you have a Texas criminal defense lawyer on your side, you will know which steps to take. You will have someone on your side who understands legal jargon and can help. You do not have to go through this process alone. Call Magaña & Van Dyke at 940-382-1976 for a free and no-obligation consultation.

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In recent years, there has been a growing shift in public opinion regarding marijuana use. The majority of states allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and some states have also legalized the drug for recreational use. However, it is important to remember that marijuana is still considered an illegal controlled substance under federal law and in Texas. If you are facing drug charges for marijuana possession in Texas, it is crucial to understand the potential consequences you may face if you are convicted.

Marijuana Laws in Texas

Texas has some of the strictest drug laws in the United States when it comes to marijuana. The possession, sale, distribution, or cultivation of any amount of marijuana is considered a criminal offense. The severity of the offense depends on several factors, such as the amount of marijuana involved and whether there was an intent to distribute.

Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, possession of less than two ounces of marijuana is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. This offense carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $2,000.

If you are found with between two and four ounces of marijuana, you could face a Class A misdemeanor charge. This offense carries a penalty of no more than one year in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $4,000.

Possession of more than four ounces but less than five pounds of marijuana is considered a state jail felony. Conviction can result in imprisonment ranging from 180 days to two years along with fines up to $10,000.

The penalties become even more severe if you are found with larger quantities or if there is evidence suggesting an intent to distribute or sell the drugs. The charges you could face may include:

• Possession of between five pounds and 50 pounds: Third-degree felony, which can be punished by two to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• Possession of between 50 pounds and 2,000 pounds: Second-degree felony, which can be punished by two to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• Possession of over 2,000 pounds: First-degree felony punishable by five to ninety-nine years or life imprisonment with fines up to $50,000.

Additional Consequences of Marijuana Possession Charges

In addition to the legal penalties outlined above, a conviction for marijuana possession can have long-lasting consequences that extend beyond the courtroom. These may include:

• Criminal record: A drug conviction will result in a permanent criminal record. This can impact your ability to find employment or housing, as many employers and landlords conduct background checks.
• Driver’s license suspension: If you are convicted of marijuana possession in Texas, your driver’s license may be suspended for six months. Before your license can be reinstated, you will be required to complete a 15-hour drug education program.
• Loss of a professional license: Certain professions require licenses from state regulatory boards. A drug conviction could lead to the suspension or revocation of your professional license, affecting your ability to continue working in your chosen profession.

Contact an Experienced Denton Marijuana Possession Lawyer

If you are facing charges for marijuana possession in Texas, it is crucial that you seek legal representation immediately. An experienced Denton County drug possession defense attorney can help protect your rights and guide you through the process of defending against a conviction. At Magaña & Van Dyke, we can help you determine the ideal defense strategy that will address the criminal charges against you and help you minimize the consequences that may affect your life. Contact us at 940-382-1976 to set up a free consultation today.

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Of the different offenses that can result in criminal charges in Texas, robbery is among the most serious. Because it is usually considered a violent crime, accusations of robbery can result in harsh treatment from law enforcement, and a person will face felony charges. However, there are some cases where a charge may be elevated to aggravated robbery, and a conviction could result in even more serious penalties. By understanding the elements that may elevate a robbery charge to aggravated robbery and the potential consequences of an aggravated robbery conviction, those who are accused of this offense can determine their best options for addressing the charges. With the help of a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney, a person can take steps to avoid a conviction or resolve their case with minimal penalties.

Defining Robbery and Aggravated Robbery

Robbery is a form of theft in which the perpetrator is accused of either causing someone to suffer bodily injuries or acting in a way that led someone to fear that they would be seriously injured. Theft charges may be elevated to robbery if a person allegedly took any actions that led to someone else’s injuries, threatened to inflict harm, or behaved in a manner that led someone to believe that they would be injured.

A charge may be further elevated to aggravated robbery if a person is accused of committing robbery and also causing serious bodily injury to another person or using or exhibiting a deadly weapon during the commission of the robbery. These aggravating factors may lead to increased charges and more serious penalties.

Serious Bodily Injury 

One of the key elements that can lead to a charge of aggravated robbery in Texas is causing serious bodily injury to another person during a robbery. The term “serious bodily injury” refers to any injury that puts a person at risk of being killed, leads to a serious disfigurement, causes permanent impairment of bodily functions, or results in the loss of an organ. The injury must be significant and go beyond minor cuts, bruises, or superficial wounds. However, if the alleged victim was an elderly person over the age of 65 or someone with a disability, aggravated robbery charges may apply if they suffered any type of bodily injury.

Use of a Deadly Weapon

A robbery charge may also be elevated to aggravated robbery if a person allegedly carried a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense. Deadly weapons can include firearms, knives, or any other objects that may be used or are intended to be used in a way that is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. The mere presence of a weapon, even if it is not used, can still lead to an aggravated robbery charge.

Penalties for Aggravated Robbery 

Robbery is classified as a second-degree felony in Texas, and a conviction of this offense may lead to a prison sentence of between two and 20 years, as well as a maximum fine of $10,000. If a charge is elevated to aggravated robbery, a person may face first degree felony charges. The potential penalties for a first degree felony conviction include imprisonment for a term of five to 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000. The severity of the punishment reflects the gravity of the offense and the potential harm caused to the victim. In cases where a victim allegedly suffered serious harm, such as a permanent disability, a person convicted of aggravated robbery is likely to face a harsher sentence.

Contact Our Denton County Aggravated Robbery Lawyer

Aggravated robbery is a very serious offense in Texas. The penalties for a conviction are likely to be severe and may affect a person for the rest of their life. If you have been accused of aggravated robbery or another violent crime, you will need to make sure you have legal representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At Magaña & Van Dyke, our Cooke County aggravated robbery defense attorney can help you respond to the accusations you are facing and determine the ideal defense strategy. We will work to ensure that you will be able to minimize the potential penalties you may face. Contact us today at 940-382-1976 to set up a free consultation and get the legal help you need.

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Killing someone else is one of the most serious crimes a person can commit, and if a person’s intentional actions led to someone’s death, they may face murder charges. Those who are found guilty of this crime can face severe consequences, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. For anyone who could potentially face murder charges, it is essential to understand the nature of the charges, the potential penalties for a conviction, and the options for defense.

Murder and Capital Murder Charges

The offense of murder generally involves intentionally killing someone or knowingly taking actions that lead to a person’s death. However, a person may also be charged with murder if they took actions that were intended to cause someone to suffer serious bodily harm, and these actions led to someone’s death. For example, a vicious beating with a weapon such as a baseball bat is likely to cause serious bodily injuries, and if the victim dies from their injuries, the perpetrator may be charged with murder.

Murder charges may also apply if a person took actions that led to someone’s death while committing a felony. These actions may be taken during criminal activity or when fleeing a crime scene. If a person acted in a clearly dangerous way, and someone was killed, they may be charged with murder, even if they did not intend to kill someone. For example, if a person attempted to rob a bank and exchanged gunfire with police officers while fleeing the scene, and this led to the death of a bystander who was struck by a stray bullet, the person may be charged with murder.

Murder is typically charged as a first-degree felony. A person who is convicted may be sentenced to five to 99 years in prison, and they may also be fined up to $10,000. However, a murder charge may be reduced to a second-degree felony if a defendant can show that they acted out of “sudden passion” due to circumstances that caused them to experience anger, terror, or resentment and rendered them incapable of acting rationally. For example, a person who discovered that a family member had been sexually assaulted may act out of rage and kill the person who committed the assault. A person who is convicted of second degree felony murder may be sentenced to between two and 20 years in prison and fined up to $10,000.

In some cases, a charge may be elevated to capital murder. These charges may apply if a person received payment in exchange for killing someone, if the victim was a police officer or firefighter if more than one person was murdered during the same course of events, if the victim was under the age of 15, or if someone was intentionally killed while a person was committing or attempting to commit an offense such as sexual assault, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, terroristic threats, or arson. In capital murder cases, prosecutors may seek the death penalty, or a person who is convicted may be sentenced to life in prison. If the person was over the age of 18 when the offense was allegedly committed, they will not be eligible for parole.

Contact Our Denton County Murder Defense Lawyer

Murder is among the most serious offenses that defendants may face. Texas courts do not take accusations of murder lightly, and a person who is convicted is likely to face harsh penalties. However, the specific charges and penalties will be based on the circumstances of a case, and there are multiple factors that may affect the severity of the penalties a person may face. If you have been accused of intentionally killing someone else, an experienced Cooke County murder charges attorney can help you mount a strong defense. Contact Magaña & Van Dyke today at 940-382-1976 to book a free consultation and get the legal help you need in this difficult situation.

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Originally published: July 19, 2022 — Updated: May 29, 2023

Update: In addition to the potential criminal charges for public intoxication described below, there are several other offenses that you could potentially be charged with in these situations. These may include:

• Disorderly conduct – This offense may involve a variety of activities that people may engage in when they are drunk or intoxicated. Using abusive or vulgar language or making offensive gestures in a way that breaches the peace, threatening someone in an offensive manner, making unreasonable amounts of noise, getting into fights or physical altercations, or exposing one’s genitals or anus may result in Class C misdemeanor charges. Displaying a deadly weapon in a way that is meant to alarm others or discharging a firearm in a public place may result in Class B misdemeanor charges.
• Obstructing a road or passageway – Anyone who blocks a road, highway, sidewalk, elevator, aisle, hallway, or the entrance or exit of a building may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. Those who are intoxicated may be charged with this offense if they fall asleep in a public walkway or otherwise obstruct other people’s movements.
• Harassment – This offense may apply in cases where someone is accused of intentionally acting in a way that is meant to annoy, alarm, or embarrass someone else. It includes acts that people may commit when they are intoxicated, including communicating with others in an obscene manner, threatening to inflict injuries or damage property, or repeatedly calling someone on the phone or sending text messages. In most cases, harassment is charged as a Class B misdemeanor.
• Open container violations – Possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle may result in Class C misdemeanor charges. This offense may apply to a driver or passengers, regardless of whether a vehicle is in operation or is stopped or parked.

Contact Our Denton County Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

If you are facing any charges related to actions that you took when you were drunk or intoxicated, you will need to determine the steps you can take to avoid a conviction and other penalties that could affect different areas of your life. At Magaña & Van Dyke, our Cooke County public intoxication defense attorney can provide the legal help you need in these situations. Contact us today at 940-382-1976 for a free consultation.

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It has been a fun night out enjoying some drinks with friends at a local bar. You make the right decision and decide not to drive home, fearing you would be driving while intoxicated. But can you still be arrested for public intoxication when you are walking down the street? It is important to know your rights and when you may be committing an offense. If you have been arrested for public intoxication, an experienced defense attorney can fight this permanent mark on your record.

When Is Being Drunk in Public a Crime?

Under Texas’ public intoxication laws, it is illegal to be intoxicated in public when you may be a danger to yourself or the people around you. If you are walking home, not falling over, and not trying to pick a fight with passersby, then you are not breaking the law. This includes your actions in places considered to be public, such as bars, parks, restaurants, and hospitals.

If you do cross the line and your drunken behavior attracts the attention of law enforcement, you may be charged with public intoxication, which is a Class C misdemeanor. The penalty is a fine of up to $500, but it does not carry any jail time. However, this is still not a charge that anyone wants on their criminal record for the rest of their life. Also, you can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor if you have more than two public intoxication convictions, risking a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail.

Underage offenders face the same penalties but also run the risk of a suspended driver’s license, mandatory community service, and mandatory enrollment in an alcohol education course.

Other Public Alcohol Considerations in Texas

If you are thinking about taking a beer for the road, you should know that there is no statewide law that bans the public consumption of alcohol. Rather, enforcement falls to local jurisdictions and a limited number have chosen to do so, but the bans only cover the central business district. It is best to check local ordinances first. Remember though, open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle are prohibited, as is public consumption of alcohol in Texas state parks.

Contact a Cooke County Public Intoxication Lawyer

If you have been arrested on a public intoxication charge, you need to contact a Denton defense attorney at Magaña & Van Dyke. We can provide you with a high-quality defense and fight to keep the charges off your record. Call 940-382-1976 to schedule your free consultation today.

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The state of Texas has strict laws concerning domestic violence, which is generally referred to as “family violence” in the state’s statutes. If you are accused of family violence, you may face severe consequences, including criminal charges related to domestic assault, sexual assault, child abuse, or other offenses. However, in many cases, the most immediate concerns may be related to protective orders that could affect multiple aspects of your life. If you are worried about how you may be affected by an order of protection after being arrested for or accused of family violence, you can work with a criminal defense attorney to determine how to respond to these issues.

Protective Orders in Texas Family Violence Cases

A person who believes that they or their family members may suffer harm due to domestic violence may apply for an emergency protective order, and they will usually be required to appear before a judge and explain why the order is needed. This is also known as an “ex parte” order, which means that only one party needs to be present at a court hearing, and a protective order may be issued without the person who is accused of family violence being given a chance to defend themselves against the accusations.

If police are called to respond to a domestic incident, and they believe that one party has committed family violence, they may perform an arrest and pursue criminal charges. In these cases, a judge may choose to issue a Magistrate’s Order of Emergency Protection, which is similar to an ex parte protective order. Either of these types of orders may place restrictions on the person accused of domestic violence, including prohibiting them from committing any form of abuse, excluding them from their family home, and preventing them from contacting their spouse, partner, children, or others named in the order. An emergency protective order will usually remain in effect for 20 days, and a Magistrate’s Order of Emergency Protection may last from 31 to 91 days depending on whether a case involved serious bodily injuries or the use of a deadly weapon.

Before the expiration of an emergency order, a hearing will be held to determine whether long-term protections are necessary. At this hearing, both sides will be able to give their side of the story and present evidence. If a judge believes that family violence has occurred and is likely to occur in the future, they may issue a protective order. Most of the time, a protective order may last for up to two years, although the duration of an order may exceed two years if a judge determines that a person committed an act of family violence that is a felony offense, if the person who suffered the abuse sustained a serious bodily injury, or if the person accused of family violence had previously been the subject of at least two protective orders.

An order of protection may state that the person accused of family violence cannot contact members of their family or household directly or indirectly, and it may give exclusive possession of a family home to the applicant. A person may also be required to undergo counseling and turn over any firearms. An order may also address custody and placement of a couple’s children, require one party to pay financial support to the other and make decisions about the possession and use of jointly-owned property. A person will be required to follow all terms in the order, and a violation of any of the terms could result in additional criminal charges.

Contact Our Cooke County Family Violence Lawyer

While an arrest for family violence will not automatically result in an order of protection, a judge may determine that protections are necessary, or, in some cases, a protective order may be requested. In these situations, it is essential for anyone who has been accused of family violence to understand their requirements and the options for defending themselves. At Magaña & Van Dyke, our Denton County domestic violence defense attorney can provide effective legal representation, helping those accused of these offenses protect their rights and avoid serious consequences. To arrange a free consultation, contact our office today at 940-382-1976.

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Being charged with a sex crime is a serious matter, and the consequences that come with a conviction can be severe. In addition to facing lengthy prison sentences, large fines, and periods of probation, a person who is convicted of this type of offense will have to register as a sex offender. Being on the sex offender registry can limit a person’s employment prospects, make it difficult to find housing or pursue education, and cause irreparable damage to their reputation and personal relationships. Anyone who has been charged with a sexual offense will need to understand the potential sex offender registration requirements that may apply if they are convicted. By working with an experienced criminal defense attorney, they can determine the best steps to take to avoid these consequences.

Texas Sex Offender Registration Requirements

In Texas, anyone who has a “reportable conviction or adjudication” will be required to register as a sex offender. The offenses that require registration include:

• Sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault
• Indecency with a child
• Continuous sexual abuse of a young child
• Online solicitation of a minor
• Incest
• Solicitation of prostitution, compelling prostitution, or aggravated promotion of prostitution
• Human trafficking
• Child pornography offenses, including possession or promotion of child pornography or inducing or encouraging a sexual performance by a child
• Aggravated kidnapping with the intent of committing sexual abuse against the victim
• Burglary with the intent of committing sexual assault or another sex crime
• A second conviction for indecent exposure

Notably, sex offender registration requirements may apply even if a person was not convicted of a sex crime. An adjudication of delinquent conduct in a juvenile law case or a deferred adjudication may require sex offender registration. Registration may also be required as part of the terms of community supervision (probation). People who were convicted of sex crimes in other states or countries will be required to register as sex offenders in Texas if they will be living, working, or attending school in the state.

Sex offenders will be required to register with the local law enforcement agency (the police department or county sheriff) in the city or municipality where they will reside. Registration must be completed within seven days after a person arrives in the area. They will be required to provide identifying information, including their name, birth date, height, weight, race, sex, eye color, hair color, driver’s license number, and Social Security number. Other required information will include their home address, phone numbers they use, a photograph, online aliases such as email and social media accounts, vehicle registration information, the name and address of their employer or any schools they will be attending, and information about their offense.

The length of time a person will be required to register will depend on the type of offense. In general, sex offender registration will last for a minimum of 10 years. However, those who were convicted of sexually violent offenses or crimes against children will be required to register for life.

Being required to register as a sex offender is undoubtedly a challenging situation. Fortunately, there are resources available to help offenders address their actions and reintegrate into society successfully. For example, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides sex offender rehabilitation programs that are meant to reduce the likelihood of future offenses. Additionally, some organizations, such as the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse, work to reduce recidivism and promote public safety by providing evidence-based treatment and education to sexual offenders.

Contact Our Denton County Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Sex crimes are undoubtedly serious, and the consequences that come with a conviction can be severe. If you or someone you know has been charged with a sex crime, it is essential to understand the implications of registration as a sex offender, as well as your options for defending against these types of charges. At Magaña & Van Dyke, our Cooke County sex crime defense attorneys can advise you of your options in these situations, and we will fight to make sure your rights are protected. Contact us at 940-382-1976 to set up your free consultation.

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