Amherst Sex Offender Search

Amherst sex offenders are monitored by the Amherst Police Department and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. This Erie County suburb of Buffalo works with the Erie County Sheriff's Office to track all registered sex offenders in the town. Residents can search for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders online at no cost through the state registry.

Amherst Police and Sex Offender Monitoring

The Amherst Police Department handles sex offender monitoring in the town. You can reach them at 716-689-1311. Officers conduct address verification checks and ensure sex offenders in Amherst comply with all SORA requirements. When a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves into Amherst, the police department notifies schools, daycare centers, and other organizations that serve vulnerable populations. This community notification duty is required by Correction Law Section 168-l.

Level 3 sex offenders in Amherst must verify their address every 90 days in person at the Amherst Police Department. If the offender's look has changed since the last photo, officers can take a new one and send it to the state registry. Level 2 sex offenders do not have the 90-day in-person check but must report any address change within 10 days. Both levels face felony charges for failing to comply. The Amherst Police Department follows up on every missed verification to keep the community safe.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office assists with sex offender monitoring across the county. When a sex offender moves between Amherst and other parts of Erie County, the agencies coordinate to ensure a smooth transfer of monitoring duties. The Erie County District Attorney's Office handles SORA risk level hearings for sex offenders who will reside in Amherst after conviction or release from incarceration.

How to Search for Sex Offenders in Amherst

Amherst does not maintain its own sex offender database. All searches go through the NYS Sex Offender Registry online directory. You can search by last name, county, ZIP code, or view all sex offenders in Erie County. The search is free and available around the clock. Results show photos, addresses, convictions, vehicle info, and conditions of supervision for each listed sex offender in Amherst.

Only Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders show up online. State law keeps Level 1 sex offenders off the public website. To check if someone is a Level 1 sex offender in Amherst, call 1-800-262-3257. You need the person's name and one of the following: an exact address, date of birth, driver's license number, or Social Security number. The phone line runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also call the Amherst Police at 716-689-1311 for local questions about sex offenders in the town.

Amherst residents can sign up with NY-ALERT for free notifications when a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves into or out of the area. You can register up to three locations by ZIP code, municipality, or specific address. The system sends alerts by email, text, or fax. This service has been active since March 2010 and covers only sex offenders in the public subdirectory.

Sex Offender Risk Levels in Amherst

Every sex offender in Amherst gets a risk level set by a judge after a court hearing. The judge reviews the case facts, including use of force, victim age, number of victims, and whether drugs or weapons were used. Two sex offenders convicted of the same crime can end up with different risk levels based on case specifics. The process follows the Sex Offender Registration Act in Correction Law Article 6-C.

Level 1 is low risk. These sex offenders register for 20 years unless designated otherwise. Address info is limited to ZIP code. Level 2 is moderate risk with full address public. Level 3 is high risk and a threat to public safety. Level 3 sex offenders must verify their address every 90 days in person with the Amherst Police. Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders are listed in the online subdirectory.

A judge can also designate a sex offender as a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. Any designation triggers lifetime registration. Level 1 sex offenders without a designation register for 20 years. All Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders register for life. A Level 2 offender registered for at least 30 years with no designation can petition for relief under Correction Law Section 168-o.

Sex Offender Registration Rules in Amherst

Sex offenders in Amherst must register with DCJS at sentencing. The court certifies the person as a sex offender, sends the form to DCJS, and the data goes into the registry database. DCJS forwards the info to the Amherst Police Department. For sex offenders coming out of jail or prison, the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders is notified at least 120 days before release and makes a risk level recommendation to the court 60 days before the release date.

All registered sex offenders in Amherst must report address changes within 10 days. They must also report internet accounts, email addresses, and screen names to DCJS under the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act. Failure to register or verify is an E felony for a first offense and a D felony for any later offense. Non-compliance can also lead to revocation of parole or probation for sex offenders under supervision in Amherst.

Community Notification for Amherst Sex Offenders

When a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves into Amherst, the police department notifies organizations that serve vulnerable populations. The list includes schools, daycare centers, libraries, school bus companies, neighborhood watch groups, community centers, nursing homes, victim advocacy groups, and places of worship. The range of notification depends on the sex offender's risk level.

For Level 2 sex offenders, the Amherst Police can share the offender's photo, name, aliases, address, conviction, and mode of operation with relevant entities. Level 3 sex offenders get the broadest notification and are listed in the online subdirectory. Amherst residents who want real-time alerts about sex offender movement should sign up for the NY-ALERT system through the DCJS website.

Where Sex Offenders Can Live in Amherst

SORA does not restrict where sex offenders can live in Amherst. There are no statewide buffer zones around schools or parks for registered sex offenders. The Court of Appeals ruled that local governments cannot create their own sex offender residency restrictions. The Sexual Assault Reform Act bars certain sex offenders from entering school grounds or living within 1,000 feet of school grounds when the victim was under 18 or the offender is Level 3. Sex offenders on parole or probation may have additional case-specific conditions.

Erie County Sex Offender Resources

Amherst is part of Erie County. The Erie County Sheriff's Office assists with sex offender monitoring throughout the county. For county-wide sex offender information, see the Erie County sex offender page.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Sex offenders who move between communities must update their registration within 10 days. The following nearby areas also have sex offender information pages.