When you are faced with a sex offense, working closely with an attorney who will explain clearly all rights, options and consequences can help to ensure that you make decision that are in your best interests. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
San Antonio Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer
If you have been accused of committing a sexual offense in Texas, you are facing some of the harshest penalties in the United States. The public has made it clear: State and federal prosecutors are expected to do everything possible to seek a conviction. A conviction often requires long-term or lifelong sex offender registration. As a former judge and prosecutor, criminal defense attorney Joe Gonzales knows the strategies prosecutors use. Our firm is ready to stand up and fight to protect your rights and keep you out of prison.
We invite you to learn more about sex offenses on this page. Contact our offices in San Antonio, Texas, to schedule a free initial consultation. We represent clients throughout Texas.
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Playing on societal outrage, legislators and prosecutors have drastically stepped up enforcement and penalties for sex crimes involving children. You need an attorney who can mount a credible defense for any child sexual offense.
Any rape charge carries potentially harsh penalties as well as a social stigma that can prevent you from living a normal life. Contact Joe D. Gonzales immediately to safeguard your rights if you have been arrested or questioned.
Sex Offender Registry
All states require sex offender registration of some kind. Individuals convicted as sex offenders must register their addresses with law enforcement. Sex offenders must also send updates whenever they change addresses and must keep their registration information current. Some states require sex offenders to verify information on a yearly basis via mail or more frequently if deemed violent predators. States have different requirements regarding what offenses require registration and for what periods of time. Additionally, some offenses that are more serious may require registration for life. Serious crimes vary by state, but most commonly include repeat offenders, violent sexual offenders and those who commit sexual crimes against children. If you are concerned about your status under these rules, contact Joe D. Gonzales Law Office in San Antonio, Texas for help and advice.
Community Notification
In addition to sex offender registration laws, all fifty states also have community notification laws. States enacted sex offender registration laws and community notification laws in response to state and federal acts, mainly Megan's Law, the Jacob Wetterling Act and the Pam Lyncher Sexual Offender Tracking and Identification Act. Megan's Law was passed by the New Jersey legislature when Megan Kanka, a seven-year-old girl, was kidnapped and murdered by her neighbor, who had been previously convicted of sex offenses against children. Congress passed the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act ("Jacob Wetterling Act") in 1994, to give law enforcement agencies, the FBI and the public access to state sex offender registries. To avoid losing federal funding, states passed laws in compliance with the Jacob Wetterling Act. Public notification of sex offender information was furthered in 1996 by the federal Megan's Law. This enabled law enforcement to release sex offender registry information to the public in order to protect the community. Also in 1996, Congress enacted the Pam Lyncher Sexual Offender Tracking and Identification Act, which created a federal sex offender registration database.
State implementation of these federal laws may vary. Generally, when sex offenders register with local law enforcement, that information is given to the public in the offenders' areas. This may include school boards or principals, neighbors and child care facilities near where the registered sex offender lives and works. The public may also view the sex-offender registry for some states on the Internet or at local police departments. Additionally, some states have mandatory sex-offender notification processes. Neighbors, business and schools in the offender's geographic area may be notified of his or her name, address and vocation. The notification process and length of time an offender must register varies from state to state. However, generally, if you must register as a sex offender, your community will have access to your identity, address and sex-offender classification. If you have been charged with a sexual offense, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Our law firm understands the personal impact of being labeled a sex offender and will use its experience to provide you with a vigorous defense to help you try to avoid having to register as a sex offender.
Conclusion
Sex offender registries and notification are important for community protection from violent predators. However, in the drive for safety, some lesser offenses may be included and this can be devastating to a sex offender. If you are facing sexual-assault charges in San Antonio, Texas, you need the experienced and aggressive defense that an attorney at Joe D. Gonzales Law Office will provide.
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