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Sex offenders to pay for registering with county

Starting June 1, offenders must pay new fee to register with the sheriff’s office.

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Sex offenders to pay for registering with county

Starting June 1, offenders must pay new fee to register with the sheriff’s office.

Hot Topics

By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 11:14 PM Thursday, April 23, 2009

HAMILTON — Beginning June 1, it will cost convicted sex offenders living in Butler County to register at the sheriff’s office.

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones announced Thursday, April 23, that sex offenders will be billed $25 each time they appear for registration.

Those convicted of sex offenses in the state can be declared a sex offender at sentencing. Depending on the level of sex offender status, they are required to periodically register with local authorities.

Ohio law allows a sheriff’s office to charge a fee to offenders with specific annual guidelines on what amount an offender can be charged and the reason for the charge.

An offender can be charged for the initial registration, for registering a new residence address, and for verification of a current residence address.

Ohio law changed effective January 2008 to permit fee collection. Hamilton and Warren counties began collecting fees on sex offender registrations several months ago, according to the sheriff’s office.

In Butler County, fees collected will offset expenses for the registration and notification of sex offenders. Notification letters outlining this new policy are being mailed to Butler County registered sex offenders.

Jones said it is another way to bring down expenses. He said it takes an officer and a half to take care of registering and notification.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Melina Smith said Thursday that Butler County has 483 registered sex offenders. Smith said a person who refuses to pay the fee or who cannot due to poverty levels will be registered. Nonpayment will not stop registration.