Inyo County Sex Offender Database
Registered sex offenders in Inyo County check in with the Sheriff's Office at Independence. The office is located at 550 S Clay Street and operates Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Anyone required to register under Penal Code 290 must appear in person to complete the process. The sheriff tracks registrants and conducts compliance checks. You can search for sex offenders in the county using California's Megan's Law website. Enter a Bishop, Lone Pine, or Independence address to see registered individuals nearby. Updates occur annually on each offender's birthday or more often for high-risk categories like transients and sexually violent predators.
Inyo County Quick Facts
Sheriff Registration Office
The Inyo County Sheriff's Office handles sex offender registration at the main facility in Independence. Call 760-878-0383 before visiting to confirm hours. Staff processes registrations during regular business hours Monday through Friday. You must bring valid identification and proof of your current address. This can be a lease, utility bill, or piece of mail showing your name and Inyo County address.
When you arrive, staff will take your photo and fingerprints. You provide information about where you live, where you work, and any vehicles you own. You also disclose internet identifiers such as email addresses and social media accounts. The process takes about 30 minutes. Once complete, the sheriff sends your data to the California Department of Justice.
The sheriff's website at inyocounty.us/services/sheriff has contact information and general policies. For specific questions about registration, call the office directly. Deputies conduct compliance checks at homes and workplaces. If you move, you must notify the sheriff within five working days and register at your new address if you stay in Inyo County. If you move to another county, register there within the same time frame.
Megan's Law Website
California's Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov is the main tool for searching sex offenders. Enter an Inyo County address to see a map of registered offenders in the area. The map uses pins to mark each person's location. You can zoom in on specific towns or zoom out to see the whole county. Click a pin to view the offender's profile.
Profiles include a photo, physical description, and information about the conviction. You see the tier level, which tells you how long the person must register. Tier One offenders register for ten years. Tier Two offenders register for twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life. Some profiles show full street addresses. Others only show a zip code or mark the person as undisclosed.
The website updates daily based on data from local sheriffs. If someone just registered in Inyo County, it might take a day or two for the profile to appear. Not every registered offender is on the website. Some are excluded by law. Juvenile offenders and certain misdemeanor cases may not be posted. If you cannot find someone, that does not mean they are not registered. Call the sheriff to ask about a specific individual.
Registration Rules
Initial registration must happen within five working days. This applies when you are released from jail or prison, when you move to Inyo County from another area, or when you first become subject to registration. Five working days does not include weekends or holidays. Count only business days. If you are released on a Friday, you have until the following Friday to register.
Annual updates occur on your birthday. The law requires updating within five working days before or after that date. So if your birthday is June 10, you can register anytime from June 5 to June 15. The sheriff does not send reminders. You must track the date and appear on time. Missing the window is a violation that can lead to criminal charges.
Transients update every 30 days. You are classified as transient if you do not have a fixed residence. This includes living in a vehicle, staying in a shelter, or moving between temporary locations. Even if you have a place to sleep, you might be transient if you lack a lease or stable housing arrangement. The sheriff makes the final determination. If classified as transient, you must update every 30 days and report where you have been staying.
Sexually violent predators update every 90 days. This category includes individuals who have been civilly committed as SVPs. It also applies to some people with specific convictions. The 90-day requirement is more frequent than the annual birthday update but less burdensome than the 30-day transient schedule. All these rules are set by Penal Code Section 290.012.
Tier System Explained
California's tier system began in January 2021 under Senate Bill 384. Before that, most sex offenders registered for life. Now the duration depends on the tier assigned at conviction. Tier One is ten years for adults and five years for juveniles. Tier Two is twenty years for adults and ten years for juveniles. Tier Three is lifetime with no early termination.
The tier is based on the crime. Rape under Penal Code Section 261 is generally Tier Three. Lewd acts with a child under Penal Code Section 288 can be Tier Two or Tier Three. Indecent exposure might be Tier One. The prosecutor and judge do not have discretion. The statute sets the tier.
After completing the minimum period, Tier One and Tier Two offenders can petition the court for removal from the registry. The petition goes to the court that handled the conviction. You may need a lawyer to file the paperwork correctly. The court has 60 days to decide. If granted, you stop registering and your profile is removed from the public website. Tier Three offenders cannot petition unless they receive a pardon or similar relief.
Additional Tools and Resources
The California Department of Justice runs the statewide registry. Visit oag.ca.gov/sex-offender-reg for forms and information. You can download an Application for Exclusion from Internet Disclosure if you qualify. The DOJ website also has FAQs about Senate Bill 384 and the tier system. Processing an exclusion application takes 30 to 90 days or longer depending on the volume of requests.
For inmates in state custody, use the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. Search by name or CDCR number to find current location, admission date, and parole hearing information. This helps you know when someone will be released and need to register in Inyo County or another location.
The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov combines data from all states. Use it to check if someone has a registration history in Nevada, Arizona, or other states before moving to California. The federal site is free and does not require a login. It is run by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Legal aid organizations can assist with registration questions or petitions for removal. California Rural Legal Assistance and Legal Services of Northern California serve rural areas. Call their intake lines to see if you qualify for free help. Private attorneys also handle sex offender cases. Expect to pay for a consultation and representation if you hire a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
For sex offender information in surrounding counties, see: