Mono County Sex Offender Compliance
Sex offenders in Mono County register with the Sheriff's Office in Bridgeport. Anyone subject to Penal Code Section 290 must report here. The sheriff conducts regular compliance checks on registered sex offenders and probationers. You can search for registered offenders using the California Megan's Law website by entering a Mono County address. Offenders must register within five working days of moving to the county or being released from custody. Annual updates occur on each person's birthday, with more frequent check-ins required for transients and sexually violent predators.
Mono County Quick Facts
Sheriff Office Registration
The Mono County Sheriff's Office in Bridgeport handles all sex offender registrations. Call 760-932-7549 before visiting to confirm hours and availability. Bring valid photo ID and proof of your current address. This can be a utility bill, lease agreement, or mail with your name and Mono County address. If you own a vehicle, bring registration documents showing make, model, and license plate number.
During registration, staff will photograph you and collect fingerprints. You provide details about where you live, where you work, and any vehicles you own. You must also disclose internet identifiers like email addresses and social media usernames. The process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Once complete, the sheriff submits your data to the California Department of Justice. The state database updates within a few days.
The sheriff conducts active compliance checks on sex offender registrants and probationers. Visit monocounty.ca.gov/sheriff/page/compliance-checks-sex-offender-registrants-probationers for more information. Deputies verify addresses and employment regularly. If you move within the county, notify the sheriff within five working days. If you move to another county, register there within the same time frame.
Megan's Law Search
California's Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov provides public access to sex offender information. Enter a Mono County address to see a map of registered individuals nearby. The map uses pins to mark each offender's location. Click on a pin to view the profile. Most profiles include a photo, physical description, and conviction details.
Each profile displays the tier level. 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 display a zip code or mark the person as undisclosed per court order. The level of detail depends on the offender's tier and any legal restrictions.
The website updates daily based on reports from local sheriffs. If someone just registered in Mono County, the profile might not appear until the next day. Not all registered offenders are on the public site. Some are excluded by law. Certain juvenile offenders and misdemeanor cases do not get posted. If you cannot find someone, call the sheriff to inquire about that individual.
Registration Timelines
Initial registration must occur within five working days. This applies when you are released from jail or prison, when you move to Mono County, or when you first become subject to registration. Five working days means business days only. Weekends and holidays do not count. If released on a Tuesday, you have until the following Tuesday to register.
Annual updates happen on your birthday. The law requires updating within five working days before or after that date. If your birthday is June 3, you can register anytime from May 29 to June 8. 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 lack a permanent residence. This includes living in a vehicle, staying in a shelter, or moving between temporary locations. The sheriff makes the final determination. If deemed transient, you must update every 30 days and report where you have been staying.
Sexually violent predators update every 90 days regardless of housing status. This category includes individuals civilly committed as SVPs or those with certain convictions. The 90-day schedule is more frequent than the annual birthday update but less burdensome than the 30-day transient requirement. All timelines are set by Penal Code Section 290.012.
Tier System
California's tier system took effect in January 2021 under Senate Bill 384. It replaced lifetime registration for many offenders. Now duration depends on the tier. 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 assigned at conviction based on the specific 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 statute sets the tier. Judges do not have discretion to change it.
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 your conviction. You may need legal help to prepare the paperwork. The court has 60 days to decide. If approved, you stop registering and your profile is removed from the public website. Tier Three offenders cannot petition unless they obtain a pardon.
Additional Resources
The California Department of Justice oversees the statewide sex offender registry. Visit oag.ca.gov/sex-offender-reg for forms, FAQs, and policy updates. You can download an Application for Exclusion from Internet Disclosure if you qualify. The DOJ also publishes statistics on total registrants. Processing exclusion applications takes 30 to 90 days or longer.
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 dates. This helps you know when someone will be released and required to register in Mono County or elsewhere.
The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov searches all state registries. Use it to check if someone has a registration history in another state before moving to California. The federal site is free and does not require a login. The U.S. Department of Justice runs the site.
Legal aid organizations in Eastern California can assist with registration questions or petitions. Legal Services of Northern California serves rural counties including Mono. Call their intake line to see if you qualify for free help. Private attorneys also handle sex offender registry cases. Expect to pay for a consultation and legal work if you hire a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
For sex offender information in surrounding counties, see: