Contra Costa County Sex Offender Registry

Registered sex offenders in Contra Costa County must check in with local law enforcement. The county sheriff handles registration for most areas. Cities like Richmond, Concord, and Antioch have their own police departments that manage registration within city limits. Anyone convicted of certain sex crimes must register and update their information on a regular basis. You can search for offenders in the area using the California Megan's Law website. The state database shows names, photos, and addresses for registered individuals. Contra Costa County has over one million residents spread across many cities and towns. Law enforcement agencies verify addresses and take updated photos to keep the registry current and accurate.

Contra Costa County Sheriff Registration

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office manages sex offender registration for unincorporated areas and some cities. The main contact number is 925-313-2611. The office is in Martinez. Offenders must appear in person to register or update their information. They cannot do this by phone or mail. The sheriff verifies identity and takes a new photo at each visit.

Sex offenders check in with the sheriff within five working days of moving into the county. They bring ID and fill out forms with their current address, job details, and vehicle info. The office asks about internet usernames and email accounts too. All this data goes into the state registry. The DOJ posts it on the public Megan's Law site if the person is not excluded by court order.

Most offenders in Contra Costa County update once per year. The update must happen within five working days before or after the person's birthday. Transients with no fixed address come in every 30 days. Sexually violent predators register every 90 days. Missing an update is a crime. The sheriff can issue a warrant if someone fails to appear on time.

City Police Registration Offices

Several cities in Contra Costa County have their own police departments that handle sex offender registration. Richmond, Concord, Antioch, and Pittsburg are among the cities with dedicated registration units. Offenders living within city limits must register with the local police department, not the county sheriff.

The Concord Police Department handles registration for people living in Concord. The office is at 1350 Galindo Street. Contact the department for information about registration hours and procedures. Concord is one of the largest cities in the county. Many registered sex offenders live in Concord. The police department processes all registration and updates for these individuals.

Other cities in the county also manage their own registration. Each city follows the same state law. The process is similar whether you register with the sheriff or a city police department. You show up in person, provide updated information, and get photographed. The local agency sends the data to the state DOJ. The DOJ updates the public website within a day or two.

This system keeps the registry accurate across all jurisdictions in Contra Costa County. Law enforcement agencies coordinate with each other to track offenders who move between cities. If someone moves from one city to another within the county, they must update their registration with the new jurisdiction within five working days.

California Megan's Law Database

The California Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov is the main tool for finding registered sex offenders in Contra Costa County. You can search by city, zip code, or address. The map feature shows offenders near a specific location like a school or park. Each profile includes a photo, physical description, and details about the crime that led to registration.

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. Contra Costa County has hundreds of registered offenders spread across its cities and towns. The registry lists 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.

You must agree to a disclaimer before searching. The site warns that misusing registry information is a crime. You cannot use the data to harass or harm an offender. Doing so can result in fines and jail time. The purpose of the registry is to help people protect themselves and their families. Law enforcement also uses it to track offenders and ensure compliance.

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 law limits who can be removed from the public site. Even if excluded from the website, the person still must register with local law enforcement in Contra Costa County.

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 Registry and Federal Databases

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 Contra Costa County. The national database pulls data from local and state sources across the country. It does not replace the California Megan's Law site. For current information about offenders in Contra Costa County, use the state registry first.

Some sex offenders are under federal supervision. These individuals may be monitored by U.S. Probation or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Federal offenders still must register with local law enforcement in the county where they live. They follow the same rules as state offenders. Local registration offices coordinate with federal agencies to track these individuals.

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 Contra Costa County.

Penal Code Section 290.46 mandates that the DOJ publish sex offender information on the internet. This is the legal basis for the Megan's Law website. The statute specifies what information can be disclosed to the public. Some offenders are excluded from the website even though they must register with local law enforcement.

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.

No fees apply to sex offender registration in California. State law prohibits charging any fee for this mandatory process. Offenders do not pay to register or to update their information. This rule applies at the state, county, and city level in Contra Costa County.

Victim Services and Legal Aid

Victims of sex crimes can find help through local organizations. The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Victim Services Division offers support to crime victims. They provide information about the criminal justice process and help victims understand their rights. You can contact them through the DA's office in Martinez.

Legal aid is available for people who need assistance with registration issues or related legal matters. Bay Area Legal Aid serves low-income residents in Contra Costa County. They offer free or low-cost legal services. Other nonprofit groups in the area also provide help with criminal records and expungement.

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.

Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County includes several large cities. Many have their own police departments that handle sex offender registration. Smaller cities and unincorporated areas fall under the jurisdiction of the county sheriff.

Concord

Other cities in the county include Richmond, Antioch, San Pablo, Martinez, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and El Cerrito. Each city with its own police department handles registration for offenders living within city limits. You can search for offenders in any city using the statewide Megan's Law website.

Note: While Richmond and Antioch are large cities in the county, they do not meet the 100,000 population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. All residents of these cities can still search for local offenders using the state Megan's Law database.

Nearby Counties

Contra Costa County borders several other counties in the Bay Area. Each county has its own law enforcement agencies and registration systems. Offenders who move between counties must update their registration with the new jurisdiction within five working days.

Alameda County | Solano County | Sacramento County | San Joaquin County