Search Chautauqua County Sex Offenders

Chautauqua County sex offenders are registered with the New York State Sex Offender Registry operated by DCJS. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office at 15 E. Chautauqua Street in Mayville is the local law enforcement agency responsible for monitoring sex offenders across the county. Residents can search for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders online through the state directory at no cost. Level 1 sex offender records are available only by phone. The Sheriff's Office verifies addresses and manages community notifications for all registered sex offenders in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County Sheriff and Sex Offender Monitoring

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is located at 15 E. Chautauqua Street, Mayville, NY 14757. The main phone number is 716-753-4900. The office provides law enforcement and sex offender monitoring throughout the county. Deputies handle address verification, investigate violations of the Sex Offender Registration Act, and conduct community notification when Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenders move into the area. The Chautauqua County Jail, also under the Sheriff's supervision, houses inmates including those awaiting risk level hearings.

The Sheriff's Office works with DCJS to verify addresses and maintain records of sex offenders in Chautauqua County. Correction Law Section 168-l requires the office to notify vulnerable organizations when a moderate or high risk sex offender relocates to the county. This includes schools, daycare centers, nursery schools, neighborhood watch groups, community centers, nursing homes, and places of worship. The Sheriff's Office compiles and updates the list of these entities within its jurisdiction on an ongoing basis.

How to Search for Sex Offenders in Chautauqua County

The NYS Sex Offender Registry online directory is the primary tool for finding sex offenders in Chautauqua County. You can search by last name, county, ZIP code, or view all listed offenders in Chautauqua County. It is free. It runs 24 hours a day. The results show photos, addresses, convictions, vehicle details, and supervision conditions for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders.

Level 1 sex offenders are not in the online directory. State law under Correction Law Article 6-C restricts their data to phone inquiries. Call 1-800-262-3257 with the person's name and one identifier to check if they are a Level 1 sex offender in Chautauqua County. Staff answer from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office at 716-753-4900 can also help with local sex offender questions.

Chautauqua County residents can register with NY-ALERT for free notifications. The system sends alerts by email, text, fax, or phone when a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves into or out of your chosen community. You can pick up to three locations by county, ZIP code, or specific address. Sign up through the NYS Sex Offender Registry website.

Sex Offender Risk Levels in Chautauqua County

Every sex offender in Chautauqua County receives a risk level from a judge after a court hearing. The court reviews factors such as use of force, victim age, number of victims, and weapon or drug involvement. The risk assessment instrument produces one of three levels. Level 1 is low risk with a 20-year registration period (without a special designation). Level 2 is moderate risk with full address made public. Level 3 is high risk with full address public and 90-day in-person verification required. All Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders register for life under SORA (Correction Law Article 6-C, Section 168 et seq.).

A court can also designate a sex offender as a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. Any designation triggers lifetime registration regardless of risk level. Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2006 extended registration periods. Before that change, some sex offenders had shorter terms. Now, all Level 1 sex offenders without a designation must register for 20 years. Under Correction Law Section 168-o, a Level 2 sex offender with no designation who has been registered for at least 30 years can petition for relief from further registration duties.

Registration Compliance in Chautauqua County

Sex offenders convicted in Chautauqua County register at sentencing. The court sends the form to DCJS, which enters the data and forwards it to the Sheriff's Office. For sex offenders released from prison, the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders reviews the case at least 120 days before release. The court holds a risk level hearing and sets the level at least 30 days before release. All sex offenders must report address changes within 10 days.

The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act requires all registered sex offenders to report internet accounts, email addresses, and screen names to DCJS. Changes must be reported within 10 days. Failure to comply with any SORA requirement is a felony: an E felony for the first offense and a D felony for later offenses. Non-compliance can also result in revocation of parole or probation. Level 1 and Level 2 sex offenders submit updated photos every three years. Level 3 sex offenders submit photos every year.

Community Notification in Chautauqua County

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office notifies vulnerable organizations when Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenders relocate to the county. For Level 2 sex offenders, the notice can include the offender's photo, name, aliases, address, crime of conviction, and mode of operation. Level 3 sex offenders get the broadest notification, and their data is published in the online subdirectory. The notification list includes school superintendents, parks superintendents, libraries, school bus companies, daycare centers, and other organizations that serve people who may be at risk.

Nearby Counties

Sex offenders moving between counties must update their registration within 10 days under SORA. The following counties border Chautauqua County.