Blog

A new Texas law will require anyone convicted of domestic violence crimes to have their name show up on a state-created free website. Specifically, members of the public will be able to search a person’s name for free and see if they have any prior felony convictions, such as those for assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and stalking. The website will be run by the Texas Department of Public Safety and is set to launch on September 1, 2023. 

Civil Rights Concerns and Unanswered Questions

What will this mean for those who have served their time, been released from prison, and are now trying to start their lives over and obtain employment, find housing, etc.? Many feel that this law is on the precipice of violating prisoners’ civil rights and threatens their ability to live in safety, not to mention imposing affirmative obligations that extend far beyond any sentence of incarceration.

Vague states can be interpreted in a number of different ways, and as a result, the consequences can be arbitrary. In addition, key questions that must be asked have not yet been resolved or answered: For example, will all of these individuals listed on the website be listed for the rest of their lives, with few exceptions, similar to registered sex offenders?

What Does This Accomplish? 

Another issue is whether a website like this will accomplish its intended purpose, which is to prevent domestic violence and save lives. The consensus on similar websites, such as those for sex offenders, is that the research does not point in the direction of this information reducing crimes or recidivism; in fact, employment, good social support, and stable housing tend to go further in terms of helping those who have served their time reintegrate into the community, while laws like these tend to make it harder for those who have done their time to find housing and work. 

If You are Accused of a Domestic Violence Crime, Contact Our Texas Criminal Defense Attorney

Domestic violence charges can only be brought against someone after a careful and thorough review of the evidence for charges that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If you have been accused of a domestic violence crime here in Texas, there is no question that the stigma of having a conviction like this on your record can be life-changing. As a result, you want to ensure that you work with a reputable attorney to protect both your freedom and good name. Our Fort Worth domestic violence defense lawyer has extensive experience representing individuals accused of such crimes. Contact us today to find out more.