Texas DPS launches violent offender database
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has recently announced the launch of the Violent Offender Database. According to Sergeant Marc Couch of DPS, the database was created with "House Bill 5202 during the regular session of the 88th Texas Legislature."
This new database will allow members of the public to search online records of "violent offenders." Violent offenders are those who have been convicted two or more times of the following crimes: assault, sexual assault, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual, assault involving family violence, continuous violence against the family, stalking or any combination of these offenses.
DPS provides free access to the website, but it costs $3 per search in order to view one profile for a violent offender. According to Couch, the information on each offender will include the "full name, date of birth, a recent photograph and a physical description," along with "a list of applicable offenses, the date of conviction, punishment and outcomes for each offense."
Violent offenders can apply to be removed from this database in one of two circumstances. The violent offender can petition to be removed "if an order of expunction is issued under Chapter 55, Code of Criminal Procedure," unless the person has three or more convictions, according to Texas law.
An offender can also petition for removal if the person has not been convicted in the seven years following their registration on the database, unless the person has three or more convictions.
The State of Oklahoma also has a similar violent offender database. Kansas and Montana, however, have combined their violent offender data with that of their sex offender registries.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Texas DPS launches violent offender database
