Franklin County Sex Offender Search

Franklin County sex offenders are tracked by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services through the Sex Offender Registry. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Malone is the local law enforcement body that monitors sex offenders across the county. You can search for Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders in Franklin County for free through the state online subdirectory or call 1-800-262-3257 for Level 1 sex offender data. This page covers how to access sex offender records, who to contact in Franklin County, and what the law requires of registered sex offenders.

How to Search for Sex Offenders in Franklin County

The NYS Sex Offender Registry search page is the main tool for finding sex offenders in Franklin County. The search is free and available around the clock. Select "Franklin" from the county list to pull up all Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders in the area. Results show photos, addresses, convictions, aliases, and vehicle info for each listed offender.

Level 1 sex offenders do not appear in the online search. State law bars their info from the public website. To find out if someone is a Level 1 sex offender in Franklin County, call the toll-free number at 1-800-262-3257. You need the person's name and one more piece of info: an exact address, date of birth, driver's license number, or Social Security number. Staff answer calls 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

You can also go to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Malone to search the subdirectory in person. The staff can help you look up sex offenders near your home or school. This option works well for people who do not have internet access or who want to talk with someone directly about their concerns.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is at 45 Bare Hill Road, Malone, NY 12953. The main phone is 518-483-6767. The sheriff's office handles sex offender monitoring, patrol, court security, and jail operations for all of Franklin County. Staff coordinate with DCJS to keep track of sex offenders who live, work, or attend school in the area.

Franklin County sits in the northern part of New York near the Canadian border. The county is largely rural. The sheriff's office is the main law enforcement agency for most communities. When a Level 3 sex offender moves into a Franklin County neighborhood, the sheriff's office handles the community notification required under Correction Law Article 6-C. This includes telling schools, daycare centers, places of worship, and other groups that serve vulnerable people.

The Franklin County Jail is operated by the sheriff's office. For sex offender concerns, call the office or stop in during business hours. Staff can tell you who is on the registry in your area and what level they hold. They can also help you sign up for NY-ALERT notifications about sex offender movement near your home.

Sex Offender Risk Levels in Franklin County

Every sex offender in Franklin County is assigned a risk level by a judge. The judge uses a scoring tool that looks at the crime, victim age, use of weapons or force, number of victims, and the offender's past record. The total score determines whether the offender is Level 1, 2, or 3.

Level 1 means low risk. Address is limited to ZIP code in public records. These sex offenders register for 20 years unless they have a designation. Level 2 means moderate risk. Full address is public. Level 3 means high risk. Full address is public, and Level 3 sex offenders must verify their address in person every 90 days with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Only Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders are in the online subdirectory.

On top of risk levels, a court may label a sex offender as a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. Any such label means the person must register for life. All Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders also register for life. Only Level 1 sex offenders without a designation have a 20-year term.

SORA and Franklin County Sex Offenders

The Sex Offender Registration Act is codified in Correction Law Article 6-C, Section 168. SORA took effect on January 21, 1996. It requires people convicted of certain sex offenses in New York to register with the state. It also covers people convicted in other states, under federal law, or in military courts if the crime matches a New York registerable offense.

SORA sets two goals. First, it gives law enforcement a way to track sex offenders. Second, it lets the public access information about sex offenders in their communities. The law spells out who must register, how risk levels work, what info goes public, and the penalties for noncompliance. Failure to register or update info is an E felony for the first offense and a D felony for subsequent offenses.

Sex offenders in Franklin County must report any address change within 10 days. Internet accounts, email addresses, and screen names must also be reported to DCJS within 10 days of any change. The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act from 2008 created these internet reporting rules. Failure to report internet info is a felony, just like failure to update an address.

How Sex Offender Registration Works in Franklin County

Registration starts when the court convicts someone of a registerable offense. The court certifies the person as a sex offender and sends the form to DCJS. If the offender will live in Franklin County, DCJS sends the info to the sheriff's office.

For sex offenders leaving jail or prison, the process takes longer. The Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders gets word at least 120 days before release. The Board recommends a risk level to the court 60 days before the person gets out. A hearing is held, and the judge sets the level at least 30 days before release. The facility registers the offender at least 15 days out and sends the form to DCJS at least 10 days before release. Correction Law Section 168-l(8) says a missed deadline by any agency does not remove the offender's duty to register.

Probation cases follow a shorter track. The court registers the sex offender at sentencing and sets a risk level hearing at least 45 days later. The DA gives a recommendation at least 15 days before the hearing. Many times the parties agree to do the hearing at sentencing.

Sex Offender Alerts in Franklin County

DCJS offers free alerts through NY-ALERT. Sign up to get an email, text, or phone call when a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves into or out of your area in Franklin County. You can track up to three locations by county, town, ZIP code, or address. Register through the NYS Sex Offender Registry website. The system has been active since 2010. Level 1 sex offenders are not part of the alerts.

Contact Info for Franklin County Sex Offender Inquiries

Use these numbers for sex offender questions in Franklin County.

• Franklin County Sheriff: 518-483-6767
• Address: 45 Bare Hill Road, Malone, NY 12953
• DCJS toll-free: 1-800-262-3257
• DCJS main: 518-417-3384
• DCJS email: SORRequests@dcjs.ny.gov

The DCJS contact page has more info. The registry FAQ answers common questions about sex offender registration, risk levels, and compliance rules in New York.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is in northern New York near the Canadian border. Neighboring counties have their own sheriff's offices that track sex offenders.