Find Sex Offenders in Monroe County

Monroe County sex offenders are tracked through the New York State Sex Offender Registry with extensive local resources from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff maintains a detailed sex offender search page that explains four ways to get sex offender information, Megan's Law details, and how the NY-ALERT system works. Monroe County covers Rochester and surrounding communities, making it one of the larger counties in the state for sex offender monitoring. This page explains how to search for sex offenders in Monroe County and what resources are available to residents.

Monroe County Sheriff Sex Offender Resources

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office provides one of the most detailed sex offender information pages of any county in New York State. Their website at monroecountysheriff-ny.gov covers the full scope of sex offender search options, Megan's Law requirements, risk level details, and community notification rules. The page is a go-to resource for Monroe County residents who want to learn about sex offenders in their area.

The Sheriff's page explains that there are four ways to get sex offender information in New York State. You can call the toll-free line at 1-800-262-3257. You can access the online subdirectory through DCJS. You can contact local law enforcement directly. Or you can view the subdirectory at a local law enforcement office in person. Each method gives different levels of detail depending on the offender's risk level, as required by Correction Law Article 6-C.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office also maintains a list of vulnerable organizations throughout the county. This list is required by SORA. It includes school superintendents, park superintendents, libraries, school bus companies, day care centers, nursery schools, neighborhood watch groups, community centers, civic associations, nursing homes, victim advocacy groups, and places of worship. When a Level 3 sex offender moves into a jurisdiction, these organizations get notified directly by the Sheriff's Office.

Megan's Law and Monroe County Sex Offenders

The Sex Offender Registration Act is New York's version of Megan's Law. Governor George E. Pataki signed it in July 1995, and it took effect on January 21, 1996. The statute is in Correction Law Article 6-C, Section 168 et seq. SORA requires sex offenders convicted of certain offenses to register with the state. The Monroe County Sheriff's page provides a detailed explanation of the law and its impact on local communities.

One important detail that the Monroe County Sheriff highlights is a federal court injunction. This injunction currently blocks the release of information on the DCJS website about sex offenders who committed their crime before January 21, 1996, and were assigned a risk level before January 1, 2000. These pre-SORA offenders may still be on the registry, but their info is not available through the public online subdirectory. You can still inquire about them through the toll-free phone line or by contacting the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The federal court injunction is specific to the online directory. It does not remove these offenders from the registry itself. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office still tracks them and conducts compliance checks. If you have a question about a specific individual who may fall under this injunction, the Sex Offender Registry Information Line at 1-800-262-3257 is your best option.

How to Search for Sex Offenders in Monroe County

The NYS Sex Offender Registry online search is the fastest way to find sex offenders in Monroe County. Select Monroe County from the drop-down, or search by last name or ZIP code. The directory shows Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders with photos, addresses, convictions, and vehicle information. The search is free and runs around the clock.

For Level 1 sex offenders, you must call the toll-free line at 1-800-262-3257 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. You need the person's name and one of these: an exact address, date of birth, driver's license number, or Social Security number. Staff at the registry will tell you if the person is registered. This is the only way to check on low-risk offenders since state law keeps them out of the online directory.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is another direct resource. You can reach them at 585-753-4178. Deputies can share information about sex offenders in your neighborhood based on their risk level. For Level 2 offenders, law enforcement can provide photos, exact names and aliases, full addresses, and conviction details to organizations that serve vulnerable populations. For Level 3 offenders, the Sheriff's Office takes an active role in notifying local organizations.

Sex Offender Risk Levels in Monroe County

A court determines every sex offender's risk level in Monroe County. The judge scores the offender on factors such as use of violence, victim age, number of offenses, relationship to the victim, and substance use. The score maps to one of three levels, though the judge can depart from the guidelines if the case calls for it.

Level 1 is low risk. These offenders register for 20 years unless they carry a special designation. Their address is limited to ZIP code only, and they do not show up in the online directory. Level 2 is moderate risk. Their full address is public, and they register for life. Law enforcement can share their information with vulnerable organizations in Monroe County. Level 3 is high risk and a threat to public safety. Full info is in the online subdirectory. They must verify their address every 90 days in person. The Sheriff's Office must notify schools, day cares, and other groups when a Level 3 offender moves into the area.

Special designations add to the requirements. A sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender must register for life even at Level 1. Under Correction Law Section 168-o, a Level 2 offender without a designation who has been registered for 30 years can petition the court for relief from further registration. A Level 2 or Level 3 offender can also petition for a lower risk level, though approval is at the court's discretion.

NY-ALERT Notifications in Monroe County

The Monroe County Sheriff's page highlights NY-ALERT as a key tool for community safety. Since March 15, 2010, residents can register to get free alerts by email, text, fax, or phone whenever a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves to or from a community that matters to them. You choose up to three locations by county, municipality, ZIP code, or specific address.

Sign up through the NYS Sex Offender Registry website. The system only covers sex offenders listed in the public subdirectory. Level 1 offenders are not included. Most people in Monroe County register their home address, their workplace, and a child's school. The alerts help residents stay aware of changes in their neighborhood without having to check the registry constantly.

Sex Offender Registration Details for Monroe County

Registration in Monroe County follows the same statewide process. It starts at conviction. The court certifies the person as a sex offender and sends the form to DCJS. The registry enters the data and forwards it to the local law enforcement agency where the offender will live. For offenders going to prison, the Board of Examiners gets involved at least 120 days before release to prepare a risk level recommendation.

Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2006 extended registration periods across the state. Before that change, some offenders registered for shorter terms. Now, Level 1 offenders with no designation must register for 20 years. All Level 2 and Level 3 offenders register for life, as do any Level 1 offenders with a designation. The Monroe County Sheriff's page explains these durations clearly for residents.

Photo updates follow a set schedule. Level 1 and Level 2 sex offenders must submit updated photos every three years. Level 3 offenders must submit new photos annually. If a local officer notices a change in the offender's appearance, they can take a photo and send it to the registry at any time. This ensures the directory has current images for each offender.

Legal Rules for Sex Offenders in Monroe County

SORA does not impose blanket residency restrictions on sex offenders in Monroe County. There are no statewide buffer zones. The Sexual Assault Reform Act bars certain offenders from school grounds or from living within 1,000 feet of a school when the victim was under 18 or the offender is Level 3. Sex offenders on parole or probation may face case-specific conditions from their supervising officer.

All registered sex offenders in Monroe County must report internet accounts, email addresses, and screen names to DCJS under the 2008 Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act. Changes must be reported within 10 days. Failure to report is a felony. DCJS can share this data with social networking sites that have members under 18. Level 3 offenders under supervision face mandatory internet restrictions regardless of offense details.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County includes several communities with their own local law enforcement. These cities have dedicated pages with local sex offender resources.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County borders five other counties in western New York. Each has its own sheriff's office handling sex offender monitoring.