Lawrence County Sex Offender Search
Lawrence County sex offender records are kept by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office in Bedford, Indiana, and are open to the public at no charge. The county uses the statewide iCrimeWatch system to make registry data available online. Anyone can search by name, city, or address and see photos, current locations, vehicle information, and the offense that triggered registration for each person listed in Lawrence County.
Lawrence County Sex Offender Registry
Search Lawrence County Sex Offenders Online
The iCrimeWatch Indiana portal is the main tool for Lawrence County sex offender searches. Enter any address in Bedford or anywhere else in Lawrence County, and the system returns a list of every registered offender living within one mile of that spot. You can also look up a specific person by name. Each result includes a photo, current home address, work address if registered, vehicle data, and a summary of the qualifying offense.
Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day also offers a mobile app for residents. The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office app is available for both Apple and Android devices. The app includes a sex offender section that lets you search Lawrence County registrants directly from your phone. The office describes it as a tool offering "information concerning all things related to the Sheriff's Office such as sex offenders in the county." The app also provides weather and emergency alerts, anonymous tip submissions, inmate commissary access, and school safety features.
The official sheriff's website is at lawrencecounty.in.gov, and the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office site has additional resources. You can also see basic public index data through Indiana's Public Index. For email notifications about sex offender activity near your address, sign up through NSOPW.gov.
The screenshot below shows how the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office presents sex offender registry information to the public.
This page connects to the same OffenderWatch system used by every Indiana county sheriff.
Lawrence County Sheriff's Office
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office is at 1420 I Street, Bedford, IN 47421. Sheriff Greg Day leads the department. The main phone number is 812-275-3316. The fax is 812-277-2007. For tips, call the tipline at 812-277-2020. The jail division can be reached at 812-277-2014. All sex offender registration matters are handled through the main sheriff's line during regular business hours.
Sheriff Day has described his approach to public safety this way: "As a life-long resident of this great county, I am humbled to serve as your Sheriff. We work diligently to ensure your safety and well-being, while maintaining the highest standards of conduct." The office runs on core pillars of accountability, professionalism, quality work ethic, and cooperation with the community. Sex offender registry management is one of the key public-facing services the office provides under state law.
The Lawrence County government portal at lawrencecounty.in.gov links to all county departments, including the sheriff. For sex offender registration specifically, contact the sheriff's office directly at the main number during business hours.
Registration Rules for Lawrence County
Indiana Code IC 11-8-8-7 requires registration within 72 hours. That clock starts when someone with a qualifying conviction is released from prison, moves to a new address, or arrives in Indiana for the first time. There are no exceptions to the 72-hour window. Lawrence County residents register in person at the sheriff's office in Bedford.
During registration, the person must provide their full legal name and all known aliases, date of birth, current home address, employer and work address, name of any school they attend, all vehicle information, and every email address and social media account. A photo is taken at each visit. This data goes into the statewide OffenderWatch database and feeds the public iCrimeWatch search portal.
Annual verification applies to most registrants. Sexually violent predators must verify every 90 days. Missing a verification visit is a Level 6 felony under IC 11-8-8-17. The penalty is up to 2.5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. A second offense bumps the charge to a Level 5 felony. Homeless persons must check in with the Lawrence County Sheriff every seven days.
Note: Anyone who works in Lawrence County but lives in another Indiana county must register their work address with the Lawrence County Sheriff within 72 hours of starting that job.
Who Must Register in Lawrence County
Indiana Code IC 11-8-8-4.5 lists the offenses that require sex offender registration. These include rape, child molesting, child exploitation, sexual misconduct with a minor, voyeurism involving minors, and criminal deviate conduct. Convictions from other states or federal courts that match these definitions also trigger Indiana registration requirements. Some violent offenders without sex offense convictions may also be required to register under the same system.
Registration lasts 10 years for most people. Sexually violent predators and anyone whose offense involved a victim under age 12 must register for life. The Indiana Department of Correction makes SVP determinations. The IDOC registry division explains in detail how classifications are set and what each level means for an offender's long-term obligations in Lawrence County and across the state.
Zachary's Law in Lawrence County
Indiana's sex offender registration law is IC 11-8-8, commonly called Zachary's Law. It went into effect January 1, 2003. The law honors Zachary Snider, a child from Cloverdale, Indiana, killed by a registered sex offender. The statute created a statewide sex and violent offender registry spanning all 92 counties, with consistent rules for registration, verification, and public access. Lawrence County has operated under this framework since the law's first year.
Under IC 36-2-13-5.5, the Lawrence County Sheriff is required by law to maintain the registry and keep it public and free. The Indiana Sheriffs' Association supports the statewide OffenderWatch system used by all county sheriffs. Anyone can check Lawrence County registrants on the national database at NSOPW.gov, which pulls from the same data source.
Residency Restrictions in Lawrence County
Indiana bars persons classified as "offenders against children" from living within 1,000 feet of a school, public park, or youth program center. They also may not live within one mile of a victim's home. These rules apply to Bedford, Mitchell, and every rural part of Lawrence County. Violating the residency restrictions is a Level 6 felony, charged separately from any registration failure.
Lawrence County has a number of small communities and rural roads with homes located near schools or parks. Anyone who must register and is looking for housing in the county should check prospective addresses carefully before moving in. The sheriff's office can provide guidance on whether a specific address falls within a restricted zone.