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1. Does the Police Department register Sex Offenders? If so, when?

The Victoria Police Department (VPD) Investigations Division has procedures to ensure the proper registration of all persons required to register as a sex offender who are living within the City of Victoria and to ensure compliance with Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Using the Registration

The sex offender registration or verification process is conducted at the VPD on dates and times posted by the Investigations Division. Currently that is only on Tuesdays noon to 2 pm and Thursdays 10 am to noon or by appointment by calling 361-485-3730. No Exceptions. The registering detective will determine if the sex offender is a new registered sex offender; verifying their information periodically; or reporting their change of status. The detective will then follow the appropriate procedure.

Regardless if the person is at the VPD to register, verify or change status - the registering detective shall always require a photo ID and proof of address from the sex offender. The photo ID must show the current address or show proof from Department of Public Services that their current address has been changed.

Registration Searches

The Department of Public Safety has created searches for Texas Public Sex Offender Registry. These searches allow the public to search the registry for sex offenders registered in Texas.

2. I reported a crime to the Police but the people have not been arrested yet. Why not?

Reports of criminal activity taken by Victoria Police Department Police Officers are assigned to a follow-up investigator. If the offender is determined, but the person has not yet been arrested, then the investigator is responsible to work up the case, gathering witness statements and other evidence. This may take some time but once a thorough investigation is complete, the investigator sends a case packet to the Prosecutor’s Office for review. The Prosecutor then determines if a case should be accepted and recommends to a judge that a warrant be issued.

3. Does it matter where a crime happened for the Police to investigate?

Yes, the crime must have happened in our jurisdiction which is within the Victoria city limits. If it happened outside the city in Victoria County, then you would need to contact the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office. If the incident occurred elsewhere, contact the law enforcement agency for that jurisdiction.

4. What is a Criminal Trespass Warning?

The owner or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner gives someone either oral or written communication that entry onto the property is forbidden (this can be residential or a business).

Normally, Victoria Police Department (VPD) Officers will assist in this "notice" by using a VPD Criminal Trespass Warning form to be filled out during the officer’s investigation and the residents, property owners or business persons who have trespassers at their residence, property, apartment complex, business property, etc, will sign the form. The officer will then request the person to whom the warning is directed to sign the form acknowledging that they may not return to that specific location for a certain time frame (generally no more than a year).

If the person returns, that person may be subject to arrest or the officer may work up a criminal case on the individual and request that charges be filed through the local Prosecutor’s Office.

Section 30.05 of the Texas Penal Code

Texas Penal Code § 30.05. Criminal Trespass. (a) A person commits an offense if he enters or remains on or in property, including an aircraft or other vehicle, of another without effective consent or he enters or remains in a building of another without effective consent and he:

• Had notice that the entry was forbidden
• Received notice to depart but failed to do so

5. What is Harassment? Can I file charges on someone for harassing me?

The offense of Harassment is defined by the Texas Penal Code. In order to prove that a person committed an offense the investigator must prove the elements of the offense. This is often difficult without evidence.

Harassment Packet

A mail in Harassment Packet may be found by viewing the Victoria Police Department (VPD) Documents and Forms webpage. Instructions are in the packet and the entire packet must be completed before the VPD will investigate the alleged offense. The VPD investigator is then responsible to work up the case by gathering any other evidence necessary. This may take some time, but once a thorough investigation is complete, the investigator sends a case packet to the Prosecutor’s Office for review. The Prosecutor then determines if a case should be accepted and recommends to a judge that a warrant be issued.

6. How can I find out if something is against the law online?

Texas Laws

View the Texas Laws and Statutes - found on a website maintained by the Texas Legislature. Most of the Criminal Laws are found in the Texas Penal Code, however some are within other codes such as the Health and Safety Code for drug/narcotics violations. Most traffic laws are found in the Transportation Code beginning primarily at Chapter 501.

Victoria City Ordinances

View the City of Victoria Code of Ordinances - found at Municode.com. The information here is provided to Municode by the City Secretary’s Office. You can look through the chapters in the left navigation or use their "Search" for a specific topic.