The truth is HERE, why will the idiots in Austin not listen?

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Texas has more than 54,000 people in its sex offender registry database. Most of them are required to register for life, periodically reporting where they live and work. The sex offender registry makes this information, in addition to data on offenders' physical characteristics and relevant sex offenses, available to the public online.

The sex offenses for which defendants are required to register vary widely. Lawmakers and others have expressed concern that the registry is overinclusive.

Sex Offender Registration Laws
The purpose of Texas' sex offender registry is to alert neighbors and colleagues to the presence of convicted sex offenders. Ideally, this allows people to make informed decisions about interacting safely with those around them. Even though the vast majority of sex offenses are committed by people known to the victims, sex offender registries can bring some peace of mind to wary residents.

The shortest registration period in Texas is ten years, but most registrants must remain on the list for life. Some defendants are surprised when, after they have completed their sentences and other obligations, they are unexpectedly required to register. This outcome is not uncommon in Texas.

Placement on the sex offender registry does not mean only that the defendant's name and other information are available to the public. Registration also means that the registrant may not live near areas where children congregate. In some cities, it can even prevent registrants from going to the movies or eating in some restaurants.

Within the category of sex offenses that require registration is a broad range of behaviors. Some sex offenders have committed numerous violent assaults against women or produced child pornography. Others however, have engaged in sexual behavior with consenting partners who were minors only a few years younger than themselves, or solicited a teenager over the Internet. In addition, juveniles convicted of sex offenses may be required to register; the obligation may follow them for the rest of their lives.

The Jacob Wetterling Act, Megan's Law, the Pam Lychner Act, and the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act are federal laws that provide registration and notification requirements. States must either follow these laws or lose federal money. States also may strengthen the laws if they choose.

Moving to Change Registration Requirements
Although sex offender registries may provide information that some people consider vital, others argue that the inclusion of nonviolent, juvenile and other less controversial offenders makes the registries too broad.

Some Texas lawmakers, registrants and even statutory rape victims who do not feel that they were truly victimized are calling for more selective registration requirements. They argue that people who are not a threat to society at large should not be on sex offender registries. Their presence on registries makes it more difficult to distinguish between violent predators more likely to reoffend and those who committed statutory rape crimes (unlawful sex with someone under the age of consent) or less serious crimes highly unlikely to be repeated.

Additionally, law enforcement resources are spent following up with registrants, making sure they are where they say they are. Registrants who do not keep up with their registration may be imprisoned for significant periods of time. Some see this as an inefficient way to monitor people who are arguably not dangerous.

Some assert that requiring juveniles to register may harm their chances for rehabilitation, forcing them to carry stigma that will prevent them from fully integrating into adult society.

The sense of security that the sex offender registry can provide makes it difficult for lawmakers to change the rules. But the chorus of voices against the strict rules is rising, making modifications more and more likely.

Seeking Creative Solutions
People who face sex offense charges could end up registering for the rest of their lives. An attorney who is familiar with the relevant laws may be able to help by negotiating a plea for a serious crime that is not a sex offense, such as assault with a deadly weapon. The defendant would then pay his or her debt to society without having to register as a sex offender afterward. With the frequent changes in and complexity of sex offender registration laws, a criminal defense lawyer's assistance could be invaluable to anyone charged with a sex crime.