Butte County Registered Sex Offenders

Sex offenders in Butte County register with the sheriff's office in Oroville. The county includes cities like Chico, Oroville, and Paradise. Anyone convicted of certain sex crimes must check in with local law enforcement and update their information regularly. You can search for registered offenders using the California Megan's Law website. The state database shows names, photos, and addresses for individuals living in Butte County. The sheriff tracks all offenders and conducts compliance checks to verify addresses. This keeps the registry accurate and helps protect the community. Offenders who fail to register or update on time face criminal charges.

Butte County Sheriff Registration

The Butte County Sheriff's Office handles sex offender registration for the county. The office is at 5 Gillick Way in Oroville, 95965. You can call them at 530-552-5200. Registration hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offenders must appear during these hours to complete their registration or updates.

When someone moves to Butte County, they have five working days to register with the sheriff. They bring ID and proof of address. The sheriff takes a photo and collects information about the person's job, vehicle, and internet use. All this data gets sent to the California Department of Justice. The DOJ updates the statewide Megan's Law database based on this information.

Most offenders in Butte County update once per year. The update must happen within five working days before or after the person's birthday. Some offenders update more often. Transients with no permanent address check in every 30 days. Sexually violent predators register every 90 days. The sheriff tracks these schedules and follows up if someone misses an appointment.

The sheriff maintains local records on all registered sex offenders in Butte County. Deputies conduct compliance checks to verify that offenders live at the addresses they report. These checks happen regularly. If someone moves without updating their registration, the sheriff investigates. Failing to register is a criminal offense. The penalties depend on whether the violation is charged as a felony or misdemeanor.

The Butte County Sheriff's records office provides information about various public records services. Sex offender registration is handled through this office. You can contact them with questions about the registration process or to report a violation.

Chico and Other Cities

Chico is the largest city in Butte County. The Chico Police Department handles some law enforcement functions within city limits. However, sex offender registration for the entire county is managed by the county sheriff. Offenders living in Chico still register with the sheriff's office in Oroville, not the local police department.

Other cities in Butte County include Oroville, Paradise, Gridley, and Biggs. None of these cities operate their own sex offender registration offices. Everyone in the county registers with the sheriff. This centralized system makes it easier to track offenders and maintain accurate records.

California Megan's Law Search

The California Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov is the main tool for finding registered sex offenders in Butte County. You can search by name, city, or zip code. The site shows photos and physical descriptions of each offender. It lists the crimes that led to registration and the tier level.

Some offenders display a full street address. Others only show a zip code. A few are marked as undisclosed due to court orders or privacy rules. Butte County has hundreds of registered offenders living in various cities and towns. The registry shows each person's tier level. Tier One offenders register for ten years. Tier Two offenders register for twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life.

The map feature on the Megan's Law site lets you see offenders near a specific location. You can enter an address or drop a pin on the map. The site shows all registered offenders within a certain radius. This is useful for checking who lives near your home or your child's school.

DOJ Registration Resources

The California Department of Justice oversees all sex offender registration in the state. The DOJ maintains the central database and publishes the Megan's Law website. You can contact the DOJ at MegansLaw@doj.ca.gov with questions about registration or the public website. The DOJ also handles exclusion requests from offenders who want their information removed from the internet.

Offenders can apply for exclusion using form CJIS-4046D. The form is available on the DOJ sex offender registration forms page. Processing takes 30 to 90 days or longer. Not everyone qualifies for exclusion. The DOJ reviews each application and makes a decision based on Penal Code Section 290.46. Even if excluded from the website, the person still must register with the Butte County Sheriff.

The DOJ also offers information about Senate Bill 384, which created the tiered registration system. This law went into effect on January 1, 2021. Before that date, most sex offenders registered for life. Now they are divided into three tiers based on the severity of their offense. Tier One and Tier Two offenders can petition the court to end their registration requirement after completing the minimum period.

National and Federal Resources

The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov searches registries from all 50 states. You can use this tool to check if someone registered in another state before moving to Butte County. The national database combines data from local and state sources across the country. It does not replace the California Megan's Law site. For current information about Butte County offenders, use the state registry.

Some offenders are under federal supervision. These individuals must register with local law enforcement just like state offenders. They follow the same schedule and requirements. The Butte County Sheriff coordinates with federal agencies to monitor these individuals and ensure compliance with all registration laws.

Legal Framework

California law requires sex offender registration under Penal Code Section 290. This statute lists all the crimes that trigger a registration requirement. Anyone convicted of rape, lewd acts with a minor, sexual battery, or other specified offenses must register. The law applies uniformly across California, including in Butte County.

Penal Code Section 290.012 sets out update requirements. Most offenders update once per year within five working days of their birthday. Sexually violent predators update every 90 days. Transients update every 30 days. These rules apply uniformly across California.

Penal Code Section 290.45 allows law enforcement to disclose an offender's name, photo, address, and other details to the public. This statute is the legal basis for public notification. The Butte County Sheriff can share this information with the community when necessary for public safety.

Specific crimes have their own statutes. Penal Code Section 288 covers lewd acts with a child. Penalties range from three to eight years in prison if no force is used. If force or violence is involved, the sentence increases to five to ten years. Anyone convicted under this statute must register as a sex offender.

Victim Services

Victims of sex crimes can find help through local and statewide resources. The Butte County District Attorney's office works with victims during criminal prosecutions. They provide information about the court process and victim rights. You can contact the DA's office in Oroville for assistance.

The California Victim Compensation Board provides financial assistance to crime victims. You can apply for compensation to cover medical bills, counseling, and lost wages. The application process is available online or through local victim advocates.

Legal aid organizations offer free or low-cost services to low-income residents. These programs can help with expungement, criminal records, and other legal issues. The Butte County Superior Court can provide referrals to local legal aid resources.

Nearby Counties

Butte County borders several other counties in Northern California. Offenders who move between these counties must update their registration with the new jurisdiction within five working days. Each county has its own sheriff and registration procedures.

Tehama County | Glenn County | Plumas County | Yuba County

Note: Butte County has no cities with populations over 100,000. Chico is the largest city with about 90,000 residents. All residents register with the county sheriff in Oroville.