Find Free Louisiana Arrests & Criminal Records: All Parishes in LA

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Free Louisiana Arrest Records & Criminal Records Search

Access Louisiana Records: background checks, warrants, probation and parole, court records, and all criminal and arrest records.

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Find free Louisiana criminal records, including arrest logs, warrants, probation and parole status, background check reports, prisoner details, and sex offender information in a matter of minutes.

This article makes locating public criminal records quick and easy through how-to guides, which show searchers government agencies who provide this information, various methods to obtain the records, and the process for each method and agency.

Additionally, this resource helps citizens learn how to contact someone in jail, post bail, and expunge criminal records before covering Louisiana laws and statutes that protect citizens against criminal record discrimination and discrimination against protected classes.

Is the Public Able To Access Criminal & Arrest Records in Louisiana?

Criminal and arrest records in Louisiana are considered public records for the most part; however there are some exclusions outlined in the state’s statutes. Title 44, Public Records and Records Act of the Louisiana code establishes that the majority of adult criminal records are public and can be accessed by anyone upon request.

Exclusions are outlined in R.S. 44:3 including investigatory reports for actions that are still pending in court, juvenile records, identifying information about confidential informants, records that have been expunged, or records outlining investigative procedures or security measures.

This simply means that Louisiana arrest records and other criminal reports are public records unless they meet the exclusion criteria above. 

Criminal records generated by federal agencies operating in the state are subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act which means federal criminal records can also be searched unless they are specifically expunged or removed by a court from public view, or otherwise unavailable due to legislative rules or policies.

Exclusions to disclosure are similar to those at the state level, meaning investigatory reports are not available, juvenile records, identity of informants or victims, or security measures.

As a closed-record state, certain Louisiana criminal records are not available to the public such as mugshots. Per House Bill 729 most mugshots cannot be publicly displayed or released by law enforcement agencies unless:

• The person in the photo is a fugitive from justice,
• The person poses an imminent threat to the safety of the public at large,
• A judge orders the release of the photo,
• The person has been convicted (either by pleading guilty or being found guilty following a hearing) of the same criminal charge the person was arrested for, or
• The person has been charged with a morals crime such as human trafficking or sex offenses.

A law enforcement’s mugshot database can also not appear in commercial publications that list current arrests.

Whether someone just wants to know someone’s criminal history, or a screening is needed for professional purposes, knowing these laws is vital. Understanding what can be released leads to the next step, knowing what kinds of information is available.

For those curious about other records that are publicly available, this tutorial on accessing various Louisiana public records provides information about bankruptcy, court records, vital records (such as marriage, divorce, birth and death certificates), as well as an overview about arrest and criminal record information — although to a lesser extent than this pace which you’re currently viewing.

A Comparison of What Appears on Criminal Records vs Arrest Records in Louisiana

When it comes to arrest records and criminal records, there are important differences that searchers must be aware of to make sure they are getting the information needed to make important decisions.

Louisiana arrest records are documentation that a person was taken into custody by law enforcement, charged with a criminal offense and was either released on a promise to appear in court (sometimes called a signature bond or release by own recognizance) or released after posting a monetary bond, and the person may still be waiting on their hearing or trial.

What arrest records do not contain is disposition information; therefore, an arrest record is simply who’s in jail, what for, and other associated information.

On the other hand, a criminal record includes information about arrests and charges, but it also shows if the matter is still pending in court, or if it has been disposed of through a hearing or plea. Criminal records also show sentencing in hearings where the defendant or subject was found guilty.

When a criminal record report is needed for official purposes, an arrest report may show up on a public records search, but it’s important to keep in mind that an arrest record is not proof of guilt since arrest records typically do not include disposition of the case.

How To Find Out if Someone Was Arrested in Louisiana for Free (Mugshots & the Reason for Detainment)

To conduct a Louisiana arrest record search or find out if someone was arrested, the subject’s name, age or approximate age of the subject, where the person was arrested (city or parish), and the date or estimated date should be considered and is necessary to establish if the person was taken into custody, and where.

The parish level law enforcement agencies or city police departments often offer online search portals or inmate rosters for free.

Search Louisiana Arrest Records Through the Parish Sheriff’s Offices: Contact Information & Inmate Rosters

Searching for Louisiana arrest records can be done through the parish sheriff’s office where the arrest occurred since the majority of jails fall under the parish sheriff’s oversight.

For convenience, the table below lists all the parish sheriff’s offices, links to their daily arrest logs if applicable, along with a contact number and whether or not mugshots are available:

Parish Inmate Search Tool	Parish Jail or Sheriff’s Office Phone Number	Shows Mugshots?
Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-788-8700	X
Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-639-4353	X
Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office	225-621-8300	X
Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office	985-369-7283	X
Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-253-4000	X
Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-463-3281	X
Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-263-2215	X
Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-965-2203	X
Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-677-5254	✓
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-491-3801	X
Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-649-2345	X
Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-775-5111	X
Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-744-2121	X
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-927-2011	X
Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-757-1865	X
DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-872-3956	✓
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office	225-308-3400	X
East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-559-2800	X
East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office	225-683-8572	X
Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-363-2161	X
Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-435-8229	X
Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-627-3724	X
Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-369-3714	X
Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office	225-687-5100	✓
Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-259-9021	X
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office	504-363-5500	X
Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-824-3850	X
Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-232-9211	X
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office	985-448-2111	X
LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-992-2151	X
Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-251-5111	X
Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office	225-686-2241	X
Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-574-1831	X
Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-281-9336	X
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-352-6432	X
Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office	504-202-9339	X
Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-329-1200	X
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office	504-564-2525	X
Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office*	225-638-5407	X
Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-473-6700	X
Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-932-5753	X
Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-728-2071	X
Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-256-9241	X
St Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office+	504-278-7645	✓
St Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office	985-783-1164	X
St Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office*	225-222-4413	X
St James Parish Sheriff’s Office	225-562-2211	X
St John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office	985-652-9513	X
St Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-948-5804	X
St Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-394-3071	X
St Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office	985-384-1622	X
St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office	985-898-2338	X
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office++	985-345-6150	X
Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-766-3961	X
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office*	985-876-2500	X
Union Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-368-3124	X
Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office	337-898-4430	✓
Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office*	337-238-1311	X
Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office	983-839-3434	X
Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office	318-371-9199	X
West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office++	225-343-9234	X
West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-428-2331	X
West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office	225-784-3158	X
Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office*	318-209-4277	X

*The Sheriff’s Office does not have an online directory. To learn about jail inmates, searchers must call the number listed for the department in the table.
+The Sheriff’s Office publishes recent arrests, some of which contain mugshots, but does not have an inmate search tool.
++The Sheriff’s Office uses VINELink for public inmate roster access.

Searchers can also follow the steps below to find out if someone is in jail in Louisiana:

1. Search Google or another search engine for “Louisiana [parish name] jail inmate roster.” For example, if a person wanted to locate an arrestee in East Baton Rouge, they would Google “Louisiana East Baton Rouge jail inmate roster” to find the link for the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.
2. Open the official parish sheriff’s office website in the search results.
3. Look for a link on the sheriff’s office page that is labeled inmate roster or something similar and click that link. For the example above, the link is labeled inmate list.
4. Enter the subject’s first and last name or review the entire inmate roster for the subject’s name to see if that person is in jail in that parish.
5. If there is not an online search link, call the non-emergency number for the sheriff’s office to ask if the subject is being detained in that particular jail.

Check With City Police Departments Within Louisiana

Determining if someone is in jail typically starts with a parish agencies listed above. However, some cities maintain their own municipal jails or lock-ups as well.

The table below lists the cities in Louisiana that maintain their own jails:

Louisiana City Jail Inmate Search Tool	City Police Department Number	Shows Mugshots?
Bogalusa City Police Department*	985-732-6284	X
Bossier City Police Department*	318-741-8629	X
Kenner City Police Department*	504-712-2227	X
Shreveport Police Department	318-673-7300	X

*The Police Department does not have an online search portal. To learn about jail inmates, searchers must call the number listed for the department in the table.

To conduct a recent arrest search using the city police department, do the following:

1. Google “[city name] Louisiana police department jail inmate roster.”
2. Review the search returns to find the official city police website. For example, to search for inmates being detained in Shreveport, the searcher would Google “Shreveport Louisiana police department jail inmate roster” to reach the Shreveport PD website.
3. Click the link for the department and look for a button or hyperlink labeled corrections or daily arrests.
4. When no online list is available, call the non-emergency number listed on the department website to inquire about an arrestee. Using the example above, Shreveport PD has its own jail; however, it does not maintain an online search portal.¹

These tables and search steps are how to find recent arrests which allows for contact with an inmate or helping the person post bail for pretrial release.

How To Get Ahold of Someone in a Louisiana Jail & Begin the Bail Process

If someone was arrested and is in a Louisiana jail, contact them can provide relief, and if available, posting bond will allow the arrestee to be released.

Misdemeanor bonds can be set at the time of arrest once the inmate is booked. For more serious offenses, felonies, bond is typically set within 72 hours of the arrest during the arraignment (or first appearance).²

There are five types of bond that can be imposed when a person is arrested:

• Personal recognizance: This simply means the defendant is released on his or her own signature as a promise to appear in court.
• Cash bond: The defendant or a friend or family member must post the entire bond amount to get the person released.
• Commercial surety bond: A bail bondsman receives 12% of the total bond from the defendant or a friend or family member, and the bail bondsman then posts bail for the defendant.
• Property bond: The defendant or a friend or family member uses property as collateral to ensure the defendant appears in court.
• Personal surety bond: A friend or family member appears before a judge to determine if that individual is financially able to post the defendant’s bail.²

Bail is paid at the detention facility where the individual is being held. Using the tables above, searchers can contact the jail where the individual is being held and find out the bond amount.

The searcher can then go to the jail by locating the physical address on the agency website or calling the number listed and pay using cash or money order or hire a bail bondsman to get the inmate released. For example, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office provides information on how to post bail at that location on its website.

How To Look Up Someone’s Criminal History in Louisiana

Criminal records are compiled and maintained by the local courts where the charges are disposed of after an arrest. The parish clerk of court’s office is typically the responsible party when it comes to maintaining records; however, the courts are organized under a state-wide administrative system.

Run a Louisiana Criminal Record Search Using the Parish’s Court Case Access

Louisiana criminal records can be accessed at each parish courthouse, and some courts offer the option to review records online for free or a small fee.

For courts that do not have an online search option, searchers can go to the courthouse directly to view records on the public terminals provided. The following information is helpful when searching court records:

• Defendant’s first and last name
• Where charges were filed (which parish court handled the matter)
• Approximate court date

For convenience, the table below links each parish courthouse website and provides an address for the courthouse so searchers can use the online portal or go directly to the courthouse depending on how records are made available:

Parish Courts Who Provide Criminal Records	Parish Courthouse Address	Shows Mugshots?
Acadia Parish*	500 North Parkerson Avenue Crowley Louisiana 70526	X
Allen Parish*	400 West 6th Avenue Oberlin Louisiana 70655	X
Ascension Parish*	607 East Worthey Street Gonzales Louisiana 70737	X
Assumption Parish	4809 Louisiana 1 Napoleonville Louisiana 70390	X
Avoyelles Parish*	312 N Main St Marksville Louisiana 71351	X
Beauregard Parish	201 West 1st Street DeRidder Louisiana 70634	X
Bienville Parish	100 Courthouse Dr, Ste 2300 Arcadia Louisiana 71001	X
Bossier Parish	204 Burt Boulevard Benton Louisiana 71006	X
Caddo Parish	501 Texas Street, Number 103 Shreveport Louisiana 71101	X
Calcasieu Parish	1000 Ryan St. Lake Charles Louisiana 70601	X
Caldwell Parish*	201 Main Street, Number 1 Columbia Louisiana 71418	X
Cameron Parish*	119 Smith Circle Cameron Louisiana 70631	X
Catahoula Parish*	301 Bushley Street Harrisonburg Louisiana 71340	X
Claiborne Parish	512 East Main Street Homer Louisiana 71040	X
Concordia Parish*	4001 Carter Street, RM 9 Vidalia Louisiana 71373	X
DeSoto Parish	101 Texas St Mansfield Louisiana 71052	X
East Baton Rouge Parish	222 St Louis Street Baton Rouge Louisiana 70802	X
East Carroll Parish*	400 1st St, Ste 3 Lake Providence Louisiana 71254	X
East Feliciana Parish	12305 St Helena Street Clinton Louisiana 70722	X
Evangeline Parish	200 Court St Ville Platte Louisiana 70586	X
Franklin Parish*	6550 Main Street Winnsboro Louisiana 71295	X
Grant Parish*	200 Main Street Colfax Louisiana 71417	X
Iberia Parish*	300 Iberia St, Ste 100 Iberia Louisiana 70560	X
Iberville Parish	58050 Meriam Street Plaquemine Louisiana 70764	X
Jackson Parish	500 East Court Street, #103 Jonesboro Louisiana 71251	X
Jefferson Parish	100 Huey P. Long Avenue Gretna Louisiana 70053	X
Jefferson Davis Parish	300 N State St, Rm 106 Jennings Louisiana 70546	X
Lafayette Parish	800 South Buchanan Street Lafayette Louisiana 70501	X
Lafourche Parish	300 W 3rd St Thibodaux Louisiana 70302	X
LaSalle Parish*	1050 Courthouse Street, Rm 24 Jena Louisiana 71342	X
Lincoln Parish	100 West Texas Avenue, Number 103 Ruston Louisiana 71270	X
Livingston Parish	20330 Government Blvd. Livingston Louisiana 70754	X
Madison Parish	100 North Cedar Street Tallulah Louisiana 71282	X
Morehouse Parish	100 East Madison Avenue Bastrop Louisiana 71220	X
Natchitoches Parish	200 Church St, Rm 104 Natchitoches Louisiana 71458	X
Orleans Parish*	2700 Tulane Avenue New Orleans Louisian 70119	X
Ouachita Parish	301 South Grand Street, Number 104 Monroe Louisiana 71201	X
Plaquemines Parish	301 South Main Street Belle Chasse Louisiana 70037	X
Pointe Coupee Parish	201 East Main Street New Road Louisiana 70760	X
Rapides Parish	701 Murray Street, Number 102 Alexandria Louisiana 71301	X
Red River Parish*	615 East Carroll Street Coushatta Louisiana 71019	X
Richland Parish*	708 North Julia Street Rayville Louisiana 71269	X
Sabine Parish	400 Capitol Street, Number 102 Many Louisiana 71449	X
St Bernard Parish*	1101 West St Bernard Highway Chalmette Louisiana 70043	X
St Charles Parish	15045 River Road, Number 189 Hahnville Louisiana 70057	X
St Helena Parish*	369 Sitman, Number 101 Greensburg Louisiana 70441	X
St James Parish	5800 Louisiana-44 Convent Louisiana 70723	X
St John the Baptist Parish	2393 Highway 19 Edgard Louisiana 70049	X
St Landry Parish	118 South Court Street Opelousas Louisiana 70570	X
St Martin Parish	415 St Martin Street St Martinville Louisiana 70582	X
St Mary Parish	500 Main Street Franklin Louisiana 70538	X
St Tammany Parish*	701 North Columbia St Covington Louisiana 70433	X
Tangipahoa Parish	110 N Bay St, Suite 100 Amite Louisiana 70422	X
Tensas Parish	201 Hancock St, Courthouse Sq Saint Joseph Louisiana 71366	X
Terrebonne Parish	7850-7864 West Main Street Houma Louisiana 70360	X
Union Parish*	100 E Bayou St, Suite 105 Farmerville Louisiana 71241	X
Vermillion Parish*	100 N State St, Suite 101 Abbeville Louisiana 0510	X
Vernon Parish*	215 South 4th St Leesville Louisiana 71446	X
Washington Parish*	908 Washington Street Franklinton Louisiana 7043	8
Webster Parish	400 Main Street Minden Louisiana 71055	X
West Baton Rouge Parish	850 8th Street Port Allen Louisiana 70767	X
West Carroll Parish*	305 East Main Street Oak Grove Louisiana 71263	X
West Feliciana Parish	4789 Prosperity Street St Francisville Louisiana 70775	X
Winn Parish*	119 West Main St Winnfield Louisiana 1483	X

*Link is to the contact page for the parish courthouse, not an online search portal

Individuals can also contact the clerk of court’s office in the parish where the matter was heard to inquire about court records. Since the clerk’s office is the official public records repository for criminal cases, and is the office that builds a criminal record, going directly to the clerk’s office can help get the results needed quickly, and is how to get a hard copy of the record if needed.

The table below lists all the parish clerk’s offices along with the address and phone number for the clerk of court:

Parish Clerk of Courts Who Distribute Criminal Records	Courthouse Address	Phone Number
Acadia Parish Clerk of Court	500 North Parkerson Avenue Crowley Louisiana 70526	337-788-8881
Allen Parish Clerk of Court	400 West 6th Avenue Oberlin Louisian 70655	337-639-4351
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court	607 East Worthey Street Gonzales Louisiana 70737	225-621-8400
Assumption Parish Clerk of Court	4809 Louisiana 1 Napoleonville Louisiana 70390	985-369-6653
Avoyelles Parish Clerk of Court	312 N Main St Marksville Louisiana 71351	318-253-7523
Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court	201 West 1st Street DeRidder Louisiana 70634	337-463-8595
Bienville Parish Clerk of Court*	100 Courthouse Dr, Ste 2300 Arcadia Louisiana 71001	318-263-2123
Bossier Parish Clerk of Court	204 Burt Boulevard Benton Louisiana 71006	318-965-2336
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court	501 Texas Street, Number 103 Shreveport Louisiana 71101	318-226-6776
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court	1000 Ryan St. Lake Charles Louisiana 70601	337-437-3550
Caldwell Parish Clerk of Court*	201 Main Street, Number 1 Columbia Louisiana 71418	318-649-2272
Cameron Parish Clerk of Court	119 Smith Circle Cameron Louisiana 70631	337-775-5316
Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court	301 Bushley Street Harrisonburg Louisiana 71340	318-744-5497
Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court	512 East Main Street Homer Louisiana 71040	318-927-9601
Concordia Parish Clerk of Court	4001 Carter Street, RM 9 Vidalia Louisiana 71373	318-336-4204
DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court	101 Texas St Mansfield Louisiana 71052	318-872-3110
East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court	222 St Louis Street Baton Rouge Louisiana 70802	225-389-7642
East Carroll Parish Clerk of Court	400 1st St, Ste 3 Lake Providence Louisiana 71254	318-559-2399
East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court	12305 St Helena Street Clinton Louisiana 70722	225-683-5145
Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court	200 Court St Ville Platte Louisiana 70586	337-363-5671
Franklin Parish Clerk of Court	6550 Main Street Winnsboro Louisiana 71295	318-435-5133
Grant Parish Clerk of Court	200 Main Street Colfax Louisiana 71417	318-627-3246
Iberia Parish Clerk of Court	300 Iberia St, Ste 100 Iberia Louisiana 70560	337-365-7282
Iberville Parish Clerk of Court	58050 Meriam Street Plaquemine Louisiana 70764	225-687-5160
Jackson Parish Clerk of Court	500 East Court Street, #103 Jonesboro Louisiana 71251	318-259-2424
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court	100 Huey P. Long Avenue Gretna Louisiana 70053	504-364-2914
Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court	300 N State St, Rm 106 Jennings Louisiana 70546	337-824-1160
Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court	800 South Buchanan Street Lafayette Louisiana 70501	337-291-6400
Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court	300 W 3rd St Thibodaux Louisiana 70302	985-447-4841
LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court	1050 Courthouse Street, Rm 24 Jena Louisiana 71342	318-992-2158
Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court	100 West Texas Avenue, Number 103 Ruston Louisiana 71270	318-251-5130
Livingston Parish Clerk of Court	20330 Government Blvd. Livingston Louisiana 70754	225-686-2216
Madison Parish Clerk of Court	100 North Cedar Street Tallulah Louisiana 71282	318-574-0655
Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court	100 East Madison Avenue Bastrop Louisiana 71220	318-281-3343
Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court	200 Church St, Rm 104 Natchitoches Louisiana 71458	318-352-8152
Orleans Parish Clerk of Court	2700 Tulane Avenue New Orleans Louisian 70119	504-658-9000
Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court	301 South Grand Street, Number 104 Monroe Louisiana 71201	318-327-1444
Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court	301 South Main Street Belle Chasse Louisiana 70037	504-934-6610
Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court	201 East Main Street New Road Louisiana 70760	225-638-9596
Rapides Parish Clerk of Court	701 Murray Street, Number 102 Alexandria Louisiana 71301	318-473-8153
Red River Parish Clerk of Court	615 East Carroll Street Coushatta Louisiana 71019	318-932-6741
Richland Parish Clerk of Court	708 North Julia Street Rayville Louisiana 71269	318-728-4171
Sabine Parish Clerk of Court	400 Capitol Street, Number 102 Many Louisiana 71449	318-256-6223
St Bernard Parish Clerk of Court	1101 West St Bernard Highway Chalmette Louisiana 70043	504-271-3434
St Charles Parish Clerk of Court	15045 River Road, Number 189 Hahnville Louisiana 70057	985-783-6632
St Helena Parish Clerk of Court	369 Sitman, Number 101 Greensburg Louisiana 70441	225-222-4514
St James Parish Clerk of Court	5800 Louisiana-44 Convent Louisiana 70723	225-562-2270
St John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court	2393 Highway 19 Edgard Louisiana 70049	985-497-3331
St Landry Parish Clerk of Court	118 South Court Street Opelousas Louisiana 70570	337-942-5606
St Martin Parish Clerk of Court	415 St Martin Street St Martinville Louisiana 70582	337-394-2210
St Mary Parish Clerk of Court	500 Main Street Franklin Louisiana 70538	337-828-4100
St Tammany Parish Clerk of Court	701 North Columbia St Covington Louisiana 70433	985-809-8700
Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court	110 N Bay St, Suite 100 Amite Louisiana 70422	985-748-4146
Tensas Parish Clerk of Court	201 Hancock St, Courthouse Sq Saint Joseph Louisiana 71366	318-766-3921
Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court	7850-7864 West Main Street Houma Louisiana 70360	985-868-5143
Union Parish Clerk of Court	100 E Bayou St, Suite 105 Farmerville Louisiana 71241	318-368-3055
Vermillion Parish Clerk of Court	100 N State St, Suite 101 Abbeville Louisiana 0510	337-898-1992
Vernon Parish Clerk of Court	215 South 4th St Leesville Louisiana 71446	337-238-1384
Washington Parish Clerk of Court	908 Washington Street Franklinton Louisiana 7043	985-839-4663
Webster Parish Clerk of Court	400 Main Street Minden Louisiana 71055	318-371-0366
West Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court	850 8th Street Port Allen Louisiana 70767	225-383-0378
West Carroll Parish Clerk of Court	305 East Main Street Oak Grove Louisiana 71263	318-428-3281
West Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court	4789 Prosperity Street St Francisville Louisiana 70775	225-635-3794
Winn Parish Clerk of Court	119 West Main St Winnfield Louisiana 1483	318-628-3515

The courts are the primary public records repository for criminal records in the state; however, this is not the go-to agency for an official background check as the Louisiana State Police offers an Internet Background Check for authorized agencies and this service isn’t available to the general public.

How Do I Check My Own Criminal Record in Louisiana & Obtain a Copy?

Individuals can request a copy of their own record in the state through the Louisiana State Police although they don’t allow individual’s to check records of another person.

Official criminal records reports can only be disclosed to the subject of the search or to a registered agency within the state. For agencies or authorized individuals looking for foraminal records, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Louisiana State Police website in your browser.³
2. Select the tab labeled Applications and Forms.
3. Click the link for internet background checks.
4. Register for account access or sign into an already existing account.
5. Complete the form that appears on the screen including why the report is being requested (such as for childcare workers or other individuals working with vulnerable populations).
6. Submit the form along with the $26 processing fee.
7. Additional details can be found on the LSP’s FAQ section.

Requests for records can also be mailed to the following address along with a business check, cashier’s check or money order for the $26 fee:

Louisiana State Police
BCI&I
Post Office Box 66614 (Mail Slot A-6)
Baton Rouge Louisiana 70896

Individuals can request a copy of their own record by doing the following:

Mail a copy of the authorization form found on the Louisiana State Police website along with fingerprints and $26 cashier’s check, money order or business check to the address listed above or request the record in person at the following address:

Louisiana State Police
7919 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge Louisiana

If making the request in person, the individual will also need a separate cashier’s check, money order or business check for $10 to cover the fingerprinting fee.

How To Determine if Someone Is on Probation or Parole in Louisiana

Probation and parole are often used interchangeably, and there are some similarities between the two. However, there are also major differences that should be noted when doing a parole or probation search.

Probation can be used for sentencing purposes in place of prison incarceration, but it can also be used as part of a pretrial diversionary program or deferred prosecution. Probation can also be unsupervised or supervised.⁴

Parole is community supervision of a prison inmate that has been granted early release following a hearing by a parole board to determine the threat the person poses to the public. Individuals have to serve a significant part of their prison sentence before they become eligible for a parole hearing. Parolees are always supervised by a parole officer, and many are released into the community via a transitional residential program.⁴

The following image displays the total number of probationers and parolees in Louisiana and compares it with other states across the United States. Additionally, it showcases the ethnicities of individuals on community supervision in Louisiana, including probation and parole:

There are two ways to locate someone on probation in Louisiana or look up details of any LA parolee. Individuals can call the Louisiana imprisoned person locator department at 225-383-4580 and provide the subject’s name and date of birth, or provide the subject’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) number to find out if the person has been released on parole or the person’s projected parole or release date.

The other option is to search the subject’s name using the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LVANS) which includes information on individuals in prison, on probation or on parole in addition to inmates in local jails. Those on community supervision show the court where the charges were filed and a partial case number. To use the LVANS search, do the following:

1. Open the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections website in a browser.
2. Click the button labeled Locate a Person In Prison which will automatically redirect you to the LAVNS search page.⁵
3. Select name, start the search and confirm you are not a robot. You can search by entering the person’s first and last name or by last name only.
4. Review the list of search returns to find the record or records that match the subject.

LVANS searches may be hard to navigate, and while the website lists probation and parole status as searchable items, doing a search of court records may be a quicker, easier way to find out if someone is on probation.

Individuals can search parole dockets by doing the following steps:

1. Open the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections website on your computer.
2. In the drop-down menu under Prison Programs at the top of the page, select Boards of Pardon & Committee on Parole.
3. Click the heading for hearing schedules and dockets, then click the link for parole hearings and dockets.
4. Hit the button labeled view dockets to see all the parole dockets from 2012 to the present.
5. Click the parole board docket link and select the correctional facility where the inmate was last housed (you will have to click the next button at the bottom of the page to get to the year of the parole hearing).
6. Review the docket to see if the person was placed on parole.

If the inmate was early released, the letter “G” will appear under the word review on the docket showing parole was granted.

If the letter “O” appears, the inmate is on work release which means they may be working in the community but sleeping in the secured prison facility, or the inmate was released to a transitional housing program on work release.

According to the DOC website, probation and parole records will appear on LAVNS, or searchers can call the DPS&C locator number (225-383-4580) to get the information. Probation and parole records are public unless the matter has been expunged by a court order.

How To Expunge Criminal Records in Louisiana

Expunging a Louisiana criminal record provides a fresh start to someone with a conviction, so it is important to know how to get a clean record. First the subject must meet the criteria for expungement before starting the process.

To be eligible for expungement in Louisiana, the person must meet the following:

• The defendant cannot have a conviction for a violent crime, a sex offense, dealing controlled substances, domestic battery (misdemeanor), stalking (misdemeanor), or any crime against children.
• There are no other convictions on the person’s record with the exception of traffic violations.
• There are no pending charges against the defendant.
• All money ordered to be paid (fines, fees, court costs, and restitution for example) must have been paid in full.
• At least five years have passed for misdemeanor convictions, or 10 years for felonies before filing the petition to expunge. For matters where there was an arrest but no conviction, there is no waiting period to file for expungement.
• If charges are pending and the district attorney does not act on the charges, once the statute of limitations has been reached, the defendant can file for expungement as well.⁶

The steps necessary to expunge a record in Louisiana include:

1. Obtain the correct form from the clerk of court’s office where the charges were filed. Use the tables above to locate the clerk’s office.
2. Fill out the form completely and submit it along with any additional required documents (such as a certified criminal history) and file it with the clerk of court’s office along with the $550 filing fee.
3. Filing fees are only waived if the person has no other felony convictions anywhere in the country, have no felony charges pending in any court, and the matter resulted in a non-convictions due to dismissal, acquittal, expiration of statute of limitations or a motion to quash the charges was successful (all three must be met to waive the fee).
4. Within the next 60 days, the district attorney can file an objection to the dismissal in which case a hearing will be held. If no objection is filed, within another 30 to 60 days the petitioner will receive notification of expungement.
5. Once the defendant receives notification of expungement, the petitioner must notify all private background check companies of the court’s order so the matter can be removed from commercial background check, sometimes called people finder, reports per Louisiana Statute CCRP 978.

Once a matter is expunged, it can no longer be included in a background check and cannot be used against a person for employment or housing, even if the person served time in prison for the offense that is later expunged.

How To Locate Individuals in a Louisiana State Prison or Federal Penitentiary

There are over 4,200 federal inmates and over 31,000 state inmates in Louisiana, so it’s important to know how to check both state prisons and federal prisons.

Louisiana hosts four federal prisons and two federal prison camps maintained by the US Bureau of Prisons. To locate a BOP inmate, do the following:

1. Open the Bureau of Prison website in your browser.
2. Click Find an Inmate under the tab labeled Inmates.
3. Select the tab to find the inmate by name and enter the subject’s first and last name minimum to start the search.
4. Scroll through the search results to see if the person is or has been in federal custody. If the person is located in a federal prison in Louisiana, the location column will list the facility as being located at either Oakdale or Pollack (each location has more than one facility).⁷

To locate state inmates, the searcher can do a name-based inquiry through the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS) using a partial name or the subject’s full first and last name. They will need the subject’s first and last name at a minimum to see if the subject is currently in prison in Louisiana.

Alternatively, searchers may also consider requesting records online through the Public Record Request Portal or reaching out to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections directly to search for someone in prison.

This state agency oversees the correctional system in Louisiana and maintains records on individuals currently incarcerated or on parole.

Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections
Attn: Deputy Secretary’s Office
P.O. Box 94304
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Phone: 225.342.6744
Fax: 225.342.3095
Email: docpublicrecords@la.gov

How To See if a Warrant Has Been Issued Against You or Someone Else in Louisiana

One of the things people like to know is whether or not they have a warrant out for their arrest or someone they know. Warrants are issued by the courts, but they are served on the subject by the police department or sheriff’s office.

Using the tables above for sheriff’s offices and police departments, individuals can check the agency website to see if there is a link to see if there are active warrants.

Searchers can also conduct a Google search for warrants in Louisiana by doing the following steps:

1. Google “[parish name or city name] Louisiana warrant search.” For example, if someone wanted to know who is wanted in Shreveport, they would Google “Shreveport Louisiana warrant search.”
2. Review the list of search returns for the official law enforcement agency website and click that link. The first link in the search for Shreveport warrants is for the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office where Shreveport is located.⁸
3. Check the website for a warrant list or most wanted list. For the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, there is a link labeled active warrants.⁹
4. Enter the subject’s first or last name if a search box opens, or review the warrant list to see if the subject is on it. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office lists all active warrants in alphabetical order.

Alternatively, searchers can contact the clerk’s office in the parish where the offense took place. Parish Clerk’s Office maintains records of criminal cases, including warrants. They may require to submit a written request or visit their office in-person to access warrant information.

For more in-depth guidance on looking up warrants, anyone can review the instructions for checking who is wanted by law enforcement throughout Louisiana and streamline their search.

An Overview of Louisiana Background Checks & How To Run One

There are several reasons why a person may undergo a background check in Louisiana, from personal purposes to professional purposes.

Most background checks are conducted as part of the screening for a job or licensure, but there are other reasons for a background check. Individuals who purchase a firearm must undergo a background check in the state. In addition, many housing applications require a background check on the applicant which includes credit in addition to criminal history.

Other reasons for a background check could include a screening pursuant to a petition to adopt a child or to become a foster parent. Individuals that work for government agencies that require security clearance or work with vulnerable populations also require a background check.

Finally, individuals can run personal background checks on themselves to see what may show up on the report prior to applying for certain positions or licensing, or they may want to run a personal background check on someone they are acquainted with such as a potential love interest, a family member or a coworker.

It’s important to note there is a fundamental difference between personal and professional background checks. Personal background checks cannot be used for housing, licensure or employment purposes and are solely intended for information only. Also, consent is required for a professional background check with the subject notified of each area that will be searched.

Personal background checks do not require consent since people typically run a personal background check to see what shows up or to check the background of a love interest, friend or other acquaintance rather than for employment, licensing or housing purposes.

Professional background checks in Louisiana must adhere to state and federal laws that limit what can be screened and how the report can be used. Professional background checks are designed to verify information for employment, housing, and other professional processes. Louisiana law also requires the consent of the subject for an official, professional background check.

There are also distinctions between level 1 and level 2 background checks in Louisiana. A level 1 check is a statewide, name-based screening, or it can be limited to a more narrow geographic area such as the parish or city where the search is conducted.

For example, searches of parish court records are limited to the parish where the charge was filed.

A level 2 background check covers both Louisiana criminal history and a nationwide search and is a fingerprint-based background check. This screening is much more comprehensive and is typically used for positions that involve working with vulnerable populations such as children or disabled adults, public safety, public health or some c-suite level positions.

Level 1 background checks can be obtained by submitting a request to the Louisiana State Police following the steps listed earlier, or by searching local parish court records using the tables and steps above.

Level 2 background checks require submitting fingerprints to the FBI for a nationwide screening, sometimes called a rap sheet, but can be started by submitting the fingerprint card and authorization form to the Louisiana State Police (LSP).

LSP performs background checks for the following purposes:

• Alcohol Beverage Store
• Behavioral Analyst
• Psychologists
• Speech/language Pathologists
• Nursing Home Administrators
• Adoptions
• Criminal Justice Workers
• Daycare Providers
• Individuals Working with Children
• Dentists
• Agriculturists/Forestry Professionals
• Healthcare Providers
• Insurance Agents
• Public Registry Agents
• Social Workers
• Foster Parents
• Substance Abuse Providers
• Firefighters
• Contract Healthcare Providers
•  Juvenile Detention Workers
• Chiropractors
• Counselors
• Financial Advisors
• CDL Examiners
• Private Investigators
• Pharmacists
• Medical Examiners
• Private Security Providers
• Public Housing Applications
• Registered Nurses
• Taxi Drivers
• Concealed Handgun Permits

Individuals can request their own personal background check through the LSP as well, and can use a third-party, commercial background check agency to request a report on a friend, family member, acquaintance or love interest.

All official background checks required in Louisiana must be requested through the Louisiana State Police by doing the following:

1. Download the LSP Authorization Form from the agency website, or log into the online search portal for registered agencies or employers.
2. Complete the Authorization Form and the General Disclosure Form (the disclosure form is required for employers conducting a background check on a job candidate).
3. Submit the forms and along with an FBI fingerprint card to the address listed below. The internet search is a name-based search only.
4. Pay the required fee of $26 for an internet search and $26 plus $10 for the fingerprint-based screening
5. Wait up to 24 hours for results of a name-based search and 15-21 days for the results of a fingerprint search.¹⁰

The mailing address to submit an authorization form, general disclosure form and fingerprints along with a business check, cashier’s check or money order for the fees is:

Louisiana State Police
BCI
Post Office Box 66614
Mail Slot A6
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70896

Official background checks are designed to verify a person’s identity and credentials, make sure they are suitable for the position or license, and to make sure there are no disqualifying offenses (such as a sex offense conviction) on a person’s record.

How To Locate Sexual Predators in Your Area via the Louisiana Sex Offender Registry

Louisiana maintains a sex offender registry for individuals who have been tried and convicted of committing a sexual offense or violent crime.

The sex offender misdemeanor and felony registry is open to the public, so anyone can find out how many sex offenders live in their neighborhood, or can do a name-based search using the national registry to see if someone they know appears.

The registry is maintained by the Louisiana State Police; however, searches are divided by parish with a search link on each parish website. Searchers can locate the sex offender list for that parish by doing the following:

1. Click the parish sheriff’s office link in the table above or through the list of links from the Louisiana State Police.
2. Go to the homepage on the website and look for a link labeled “sex offender registry” or “search for offenders in your area.” For example, click the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office link in the table above to see the official page.
3. Click the link for the sex offender register on the website. Using the example above, click the link labeled sex offenders at the top of the page.
4. Select whether or not you want to search by name, location or search for non-compliant offenders in the area.
5. For name-based searches, enter the subject’s first and last name. For geographic area searches enter an address to see how many offenders are within a ¼ mile to 5 mile radius. Click the pin on the map or the name on the list to the right to see details.

Due to the way Louisiana provides it’s sex offender registry, it may be quicker and easier to do a name-based search using the National Sex Offender Registry. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the National Sex Offender Registry website in your browser.
2. Select Advanced Search to do a name-based search of offenders in Louisiana.
3. Enter the person’s first and last name and parish or zip code and click search by name or zip code to see the results.

Searching the registry is the quickest way to see if someone has been convicted of a sex offense, and the national registry can show if a person was convicted in Louisiana but now lives in another state.

The sex offender registry, along with instructions for each parish, is outlined in state law RS 15:542, which is only one of the laws outlining criminal records in the state.

Louisiana Laws About Criminal Records & Arrest Records

When searching Louisiana criminal records, it is important to make sure the reports are being used per the laws in the state and federal statutes.

Federal laws that limit what can be released include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) which limits disclosure of non-convictions more than seven years old in addition to limiting credit checks to a seven-year lookback period.

Federal anti-discrimination laws also make it unlawful to use criminal history in a discriminatory manner, and these laws are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Louisiana passed HB 707 (Act Number 406) in 2021 prohibiting employers from considering any charges that resulted in a non-conviction either through acquittal, dismissal or no true bill of indictment. It also acts similar to ban the box statutes making it unlawful for an employer to inquire about any non-convictions a person has on their record.

The law further states that a criminal record in and of itself cannot be grounds for denying employment unless the conviction will directly impact the person’s ability to perform the job duties. Finally, employers must notify the candidate of any criminal history used to make a hiring decision.¹¹

Louisiana’s State Civil Service Rule 22.4.1 prohibits government agencies from asking about criminal history on the agency employment application unless the candidate would automatically be disqualified due to a conviction, such as law enforcement or corrections.

Knowing where to search for Louisiana arrest records helps searchers find out if someone they know is in police custody. Understanding the laws regarding Louisiana criminal records also helps searchers stay in compliance with the laws while still obtaining the information needed to make an informed decision.