What's the law in TX or how could I find out? (Howe: sale, sex offenders) - City-Data Forum

teatime · 12-10-2008, 01:45 PM

I'm pretty shaken up by some news I got and don't know what to do with it. The short version is that a convicted pedophile has moved into the neighborhood. The person who sold her home to them had no idea until after the sale was completed. Now, she's heartsick about it and she told me so I could warn folks.

What's the law on this? Aren't neighbors supposed to be notified when a pedophile moves in? If I were to tell my neighbors, could the pedophile sue me for defamation? Will the police know the pedophile is here and will law enforcement check up on it periodically? We have quite a few young children on our street and it's such a safe area that they are free about playing outside and visiting with neighbors. I would be devastated if something happened to one of them! However, I also don't want to be the reason people go after the pedophile since he totally keeps to himself. I've never even seen him outside.

Help! I don't know what to do!

momof2dfw · 12-10-2008, 01:52 PM

Depending on the city you live in depends on the requirements for notification to neighbors. Most don't have anything to notify since all of this info is available for free thru the state and all city police departments. Some cities have zones that don't allow a registered sex offender to live w/in. Usually within so many feet of a park and/or school. Your best bet is to call your local police department and ask them what their requirements are. Your neighbor could not really restrict selling to someone like that as they could get sued. You can mention this info to friends but I would not go around hanging notifications on all of the stop signs in the area. At least you KNOW about this person. Think of all of the possible sex offenders that exist that are NOT registered because they have never been caught and convicted. THAT is the scary part of the entire thing.

ShaneSA · 12-10-2008, 05:18 PM

Go ask the police if it's true. Find out the facts first. Then if it is true, you can tell anyone with no repercussions becasue it is the truth. You can also check the web site on sex offenders to see if he is listed there. Find out the facts first. If he is on probation or parole then authorities know where he is. That should be some comfort, I know, not much.
You can also complain to the parole/probation officer about his location. They can make him move.

Poltracker · 12-10-2008, 05:36 PM

The website is: https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DP...New/index.aspx
Is he really a pediphile or is he a convicted sex offender for some other crime? Some folks do not make the distinction. Find out the facts first. Also look at the threat level and other info about the crime.

Canine*Castle · 12-10-2008, 06:00 PM

Oh teatime, I'm so sorry. I really don't have a clue about the law, but I thought they had to let people in the area know.

A sex offender moved next door to my nephew (thank God he has since moved) and my nephew and his wife were notified with a letter from the County. Also, I know one can see sex offenders in their area by looking at the site, FamilyWatchDog... National Sex Offender Registry

ocean2026 · 12-10-2008, 07:02 PM

First there is a lot of hysteria on this issue. Calm down at least until you read the case. A 19 year old who dates a girl 16 could be on that list even if he's 30 now and married to a 27 year old. Still its good to be cautious.

Here is a free link to all To all Texas Statutes - go to links

Aransas County Bar Association

NOTAM · 12-10-2008, 07:13 PM

how can the pedophile sue you for defamation if it is public knowledge? they are listed online for the whole world to know!! if they are a sex offender, it is public knowledge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by teatime

I'm pretty shaken up by some news I got and don't know what to do with it. The short version is that a convicted pedophile has moved into the neighborhood. The person who sold her home to them had no idea until after the sale was completed. Now, she's heartsick about it and she told me so I could warn folks.

What's the law on this? Aren't neighbors supposed to be notified when a pedophile moves in? If I were to tell my neighbors, could the pedophile sue me for defamation? Will the police know the pedophile is here and will law enforcement check up on it periodically? We have quite a few young children on our street and it's such a safe area that they are free about playing outside and visiting with neighbors. I would be devastated if something happened to one of them! However, I also don't want to be the reason people go after the pedophile since he totally keeps to himself. I've never even seen him outside.

Help! I don't know what to do!

Poltracker · 12-10-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOTAM

how can the pedophile sue you for defamation if it is public knowledge? they are listed online for the whole world to know!! if they are a sex offender, it is public knowledge.

NOTAM, it has not been established that the person actually is a pedophile. The poster was told this but it has not been confirmed, so far it is just a rhumor. When the poster has confirmed it through the police or other official means, there will be no further chance that it would be slander. Until then, it is better not to accuse. It would be just aweful if an innocent person had that kind of rhumor spread about them. That does not mean the poster should not be careful until she knows for sure one way or the other.

ocean2026 · 12-10-2008, 10:11 PM

I'll tell you something else - from 30 years as both a defender and prosecutor ( and Cj professor).

Sex cases with children are the HARDEST for a jury to get correct. Murders are fairly easy for the post part as are robberies and drug cases are usually the easiest. Juries have real difficulty in getting these cases right- I know innocent people who were convicted and guilty persons who were acquitted.

Why is this ? Several reasons and one of them is evidenced in this thread - angry people lashing out without evidence. Other reasons are lack of reliable evidence and relying on a child's testimony often on something that happened years ago.

As for suing someone for being a pedophile - first private people have some privacy rights. If your neighbor has been cheating on his wife and you publish that you can be sued. One can say Clinton is a cheater and Bush is an idiot because they have both put themselves in the public spotlight and have lost much of their privacy rights.

Vector28 · 12-11-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocean2026

I know innocent people who were convicted and guilty persons who were acquitted.

Wow, that doesn't say much for our legal system. How could you walk out a courtroom (as a prosecutor) knowing an innocent person was convicted? Does a jury's decision change facts? Just wondering.