Every guest speaker who addresses teenagers at a school assembly or youth group event, after telling his or her story of personal and legal troubles, imprisonment, and redemption, will emphasize that the personal consequences of a criminal conviction last far beyond when you complete your sentence. Perhaps no one feels this more acutely than people convicted of sex offenses. Yes, records of arrests and criminal convictions, no matter their nature, remain on your record unless and until you manage to get them expunged, but no one can see these records except those with the authority to perform background checks. Acquaintances and people you meet at work socials will not find the record if they Google your name, not unless there was a news report about your case.
Meanwhile, the Texas sex offender registry is more publicly visible, and the law requires people convicted of all but the most trivial sex-related offenses to remain registered for a long time after they have completed their sentences. In some cases, judges can also order people convicted of sexual offenses to avoid certain people or certain professions.
If you are being accused of a sexual offense, the best way to avoid getting a conviction and registering as a sex offender is to contact a Texas sex crime attorney.
Pastor With Prior Sex Offense Conviction Finds Acceptance at Some Churches but Not Others
A North Texas man who holds prominent roles in several organizations administered by his church or denomination was the subject of controversy last year after a blogger posted content about the man’s prior criminal conviction for a sex-related offense. The man served a nine-year prison sentence beginning in the 1990s for statutory sexual assault because of a sexual relationship with a teen girl; the two married each other when the girl was 18 and later divorced. The court ordered him to remain on the sex offender registry for life and not to work in jobs that brought him into direct contact with minors.
The church leadership was aware of the man’s prior criminal record, although news reports did not indicate whether he disclosed this information himself or whether they found out during a background check before authorizing him to work or serve as a volunteer in church-related organizations. The man conducts Bible study for adults and participates in prison ministry and programs for adults who have served prison sentences.
The judgment of one’s peers is one of the more painful consequences of a criminal conviction. Even though he and his employer are abiding by the law in assigning him to the roles he holds, the rumors persist. Gossip and judgment from within one’s community are nothing out of the ordinary, no matter who you are, but you can spare yourself the worst of these by sparing no effort in establishing doubt in the minds of the jurors about the accusations that the prosecution is leveling against you.
Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC About Criminal Defense Cases
A Dallas criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are facing charges for a sex offense that would require lifelong registration on the sex offender registry. Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, in Dallas, Texas to discuss your case.