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St. Landry Parish Public Records / St. Landry Parish Arrest Records

St. Landry County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Landry County

Arrest records in St. Landry Parish are considered public information under Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1-41. This statute establishes that records created or maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, are generally accessible to the public. The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties in accordance with state law.

It is important for requesters to understand the distinction between arrest records and conviction records:

  • Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody based on probable cause that they committed a crime
  • Conviction records indicate that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through legal proceedings
  • An arrest alone does not constitute proof of guilt
  • Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

The Louisiana Law Enforcement Records Management Program provides guidelines for the maintenance and accessibility of arrest records. While most arrest information is public, certain elements may be redacted or restricted, particularly in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure would compromise public safety.

According to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3, specific exemptions exist for records that may:

  • Compromise an ongoing investigation
  • Reveal confidential informant information
  • Endanger law enforcement personnel
  • Interfere with constitutional rights of the accused

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is generally accessible, certain procedural requirements and limitations apply to their release.

What's in St. Landry County Arrest Records

St. Landry Parish arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals taken into custody. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

  • Full legal name (first, middle, last)
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Race/ethnicity
  • Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
  • Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
  • Address of residence
  • Photograph (mugshot)
  • Fingerprints

Arrest Details:

  • Date and time of arrest
  • Location of arrest
  • Arresting agency
  • Arresting officer's name and badge number
  • Reason for arrest
  • Use of force documentation (if applicable)

Charge Information:

  • Criminal charges filed
  • Statute/ordinance numbers violated
  • Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
  • Charge severity level
  • Description of alleged criminal activity

Warrant Information (if applicable):

  • Warrant number
  • Issuing court
  • Date of issuance
  • Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
  • Warrant status

Booking Information:

  • Booking number
  • Date and time of booking
  • Booking facility
  • Processing officer information
  • Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

  • Bond amount
  • Bond type (cash, surety, property)
  • Bond status (posted, denied)
  • Conditions of release
  • Release date (if applicable)

Court Information:

  • Court of jurisdiction
  • Case number
  • Scheduled court appearances
  • Judge assigned

Custody Status:

  • Current detention status
  • Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
  • Expected release date (if sentenced)

Additional Information May Include:

  • Prior arrest history
  • Known aliases
  • Immigration status
  • Probation/parole status
  • Risk assessment scores
  • Medical alerts
  • Special custody requirements

The specific content of arrest records may vary based on the arresting agency's protocols and the circumstances of the arrest. All information is maintained in accordance with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement's Records Management Guidelines.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in St. Landry County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Landry Parish may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for requesting and accessing arrest records:

In-Person Requests:

  1. Visit the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours
  2. Complete the public records request form, providing specific information about the record sought
  3. Present valid government-issued photo identification
  4. Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying
  5. Allow processing time as specified by records personnel

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office
1592 E Prudhomme St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 948-6516
St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office

Written Requests:

  1. Prepare a formal written request including:
    • Requestor's full name and contact information
    • Specific information sought (name of arrestee, date of arrest, case number if known)
    • Purpose of request (personal, legal, employment, etc.)
    • Signature and date
  2. Submit the request via mail, fax, or email to the Records Division
  3. Include payment for applicable fees
  4. Provide return address or preferred method for receiving records

St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court
118 S Court St, Suite 100
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 942-5606
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court

Online Requests:

  1. Visit the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office website
  2. Navigate to the Records Request section
  3. Complete the electronic records request form
  4. Provide required identification information
  5. Submit payment for applicable fees through the secure payment portal
  6. Receive confirmation of request submission
  7. Await notification when records are available

Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32, custodians of public records must make records available during regular office hours. Requesters should note that processing times may vary based on the volume of requests and complexity of the search required. Certain records may require additional processing time due to necessary redactions or legal review.

How To Find St. Landry County Arrest Records Online

St. Landry Parish provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records through official online channels. The following methods are currently available for conducting online searches:

Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup:

  1. Navigate to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office website
  2. Locate the "Inmate Search" or "Current Inmates" section
  3. Enter search criteria (name, booking number, or date range)
  4. Review results showing current inmates and recent bookings
  5. Note that this system typically displays only current inmates and those recently released

Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS):

  1. Access the LAVNS website
  2. Select "Louisiana" from the state dropdown menu
  3. Choose "Offender Search" option
  4. Enter the individual's name or identification number
  5. Review custody status and location information
  6. Register for notifications if desired

St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Records:

  1. Visit the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court website
  2. Select "Court Records" or "Case Search" option
  3. Create user account if required
  4. Enter search parameters (name, case number, date range)
  5. Pay any applicable search fees
  6. View available case information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings

Louisiana State Police Criminal History Repository:

  1. Access the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification website
  2. Select "Criminal History Record Request"
  3. Follow instructions for online record requests
  4. Provide required identification information
  5. Submit payment for search fees
  6. Receive results electronically or by mail as specified

Users should be aware that online systems may not contain complete historical arrest records, particularly for older cases that have not been digitized. Additionally, certain information may be restricted or redacted in accordance with privacy laws and exemptions under the Louisiana Public Records Law. For comprehensive searches, combining online research with formal records requests may yield the most complete results.

How To Search St. Landry County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public have several options for accessing St. Landry Parish arrest records without incurring fees. The following methods provide free or low-cost access to arrest information:

Public Access Terminals:

  1. Visit the St. Landry Parish Courthouse during regular business hours
  2. Utilize the public access computer terminals in the Clerk of Court's office
  3. Search for criminal cases by name, case number, or date range
  4. View basic case information at no charge
  5. Note that printing documents may incur nominal fees

St. Landry Parish Courthouse
118 S Court St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 942-5606
St. Landry Parish Courthouse

Sheriff's Office Website:

  1. Access the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office website
  2. Navigate to the "Current Inmates" or "Recent Arrests" section
  3. Search by name to view current custody status
  4. Access basic booking information at no charge
  5. Note that historical records may not be available through this method

Local Public Library Resources:

  1. Visit any St. Landry Parish public library location
  2. Use public computer terminals to access online resources
  3. Request assistance from library staff to locate public records databases
  4. Access newspaper archives that may contain arrest reports
  5. Utilize library's internet connection to access court records portals

Opelousas Public Library
212 E Grolee St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 948-3693
Opelousas Public Library

Court Calendar Observation:

  1. Review publicly posted court calendars at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse
  2. Attend public court proceedings for arraignments and hearings
  3. Observe cases of interest as they are called on the docket
  4. Request to view case files from the clerk while at the courthouse
  5. Take notes on proceedings at no cost

In accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:31, providing the right of the public to inspect or reproduce public records, these free access methods ensure that economic status does not prevent citizens from accessing public information. While examination of records is generally free, custodians may charge reasonable fees for copies or certified documents as permitted by law.

How To Delete Arrest Records in St. Landry County

The process of removing arrest records from public access in St. Landry Parish involves specific legal procedures established under Louisiana law. Individuals seeking to limit access to their arrest records have several potential remedies:

Expungement (Legal Erasure): Expungement is the legal process that removes arrests and convictions from public records. In Louisiana, this process is governed by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 971-995.

Eligibility criteria for expungement typically include:

  • Arrests that did not lead to conviction
  • Misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period (typically 5 years)
  • Certain non-violent felony convictions after waiting periods (typically 10 years)
  • First-offense convictions for specific offenses
  • Completion of pre-trial diversion programs

The expungement process involves:

  1. Filing a petition for expungement with the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court
  2. Paying applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent applicants)
  3. Serving copies of the petition to the District Attorney and arresting agency
  4. Attending a hearing if objections are filed
  5. Obtaining a signed expungement order from the judge
  6. Distributing the order to all agencies maintaining the records

Record Sealing (Restricting Public Access): Record sealing limits who can access arrest information without completely removing it from government databases.

Situations where records may be sealed include:

  • Juvenile arrests and adjudications
  • Cases involving victims of human trafficking
  • Certain first-time offenses after probation completion
  • Cases where the public interest in confidentiality outweighs disclosure

Automatic Record Restriction: Under Louisiana Act 286, certain records may be automatically restricted from public view, including:

  • Arrests where charges were refused by prosecutors
  • Cases where charges were dismissed
  • Arrests resulting in acquittals
  • First-time non-violent misdemeanor convictions after 5 years without subsequent arrests

Individuals seeking to delete or restrict access to arrest records should consult with a qualified attorney familiar with Louisiana expungement law. The St. Landry Parish District Attorney's Office or local legal aid organizations may provide guidance on eligibility and procedures.

St. Landry Parish District Attorney's Office
231 S Union St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 948-3041
St. Landry Parish District Attorney

What Happens After Arrest in St. Landry County?

Following an arrest in St. Landry Parish, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Louisiana law. This process typically progresses through several distinct phases:

Initial Custody and Booking:

  1. Transportation to St. Landry Parish Jail or holding facility
  2. Booking procedures including:
    • Photograph (mugshot) taken
    • Fingerprinting
    • Personal information collection
    • Property inventory
    • Medical screening
  3. Entry into jail management system
  4. Initial classification for housing assignment

Bail Determination:

  1. Review of charges by magistrate or judge
  2. Consideration of:
    • Criminal history
    • Flight risk
    • Community ties
    • Public safety concerns
  3. Setting of bail amount and conditions
  4. Opportunity to post bail through:
    • Cash bond
    • Surety bond through bondsman
    • Property bond
    • Personal recognizance (in limited cases)

Initial Appearance:

  1. Appearance before judge within 72 hours of arrest
  2. Formal notification of charges
  3. Advisement of constitutional rights
  4. Appointment of counsel if indigent
  5. Review of bail determination
  6. Setting of preliminary hearing date

Charging Decision:

  1. Case review by St. Landry Parish District Attorney's Office
  2. Determination whether to:
    • File formal charges (bill of information or indictment)
    • Reduce charges
    • Refer to diversion program
    • Decline prosecution

Arraignment:

  1. Formal reading of charges in court
  2. Entry of plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
  3. Setting of pre-trial conference dates
  4. Establishment of trial schedule

Pre-Trial Proceedings:

  1. Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
  2. Filing of motions (suppression, dismissal, etc.)
  3. Plea negotiations
  4. Pre-trial conferences
  5. Evidence hearings

Trial or Plea Resolution:

  1. Bench or jury trial if plea agreement not reached
  2. Presentation of evidence and testimony
  3. Verdict determination
  4. Alternative resolution through plea agreement

Sentencing (if convicted):

  1. Pre-sentence investigation in felony cases
  2. Sentencing hearing
  3. Imposition of:
    • Incarceration
    • Probation
    • Fines and costs
    • Restitution
    • Community service
    • Treatment requirements

Post-Conviction:

  1. Right to appeal within specified timeframes
  2. Possible post-conviction relief petitions
  3. Probation or parole supervision if applicable

Throughout this process, individuals maintain constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to due process. The specific timeline and procedures may vary based on case complexity, court calendars, and individual circumstances.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in St. Landry County?

Arrest records in St. Landry Parish are maintained according to retention schedules established by Louisiana state law and administrative regulations. The Louisiana Secretary of State's Records Management Program provides guidance on the retention and disposition of public records, including arrest documentation.

Standard Retention Periods:

Law enforcement agencies in St. Landry Parish typically retain arrest records according to the following schedule:

  • Active Criminal Case Files: Maintained until final disposition plus a minimum of 10 years
  • Arrest Reports: Permanently maintained in accordance with Louisiana Administrative Code Title 40, Part I, § 1719
  • Booking Information: Permanently maintained in electronic format
  • Fingerprint Cards: Permanently maintained by both local agencies and the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
  • Mugshot Photographs: Permanently maintained in electronic format
  • Incident Reports: Minimum of 10 years from date of creation
  • Investigation Files: 10 years after case closure for misdemeanors; permanent retention for felonies
  • Juvenile Records: Sealed at age 17 for most offenses; may be destroyed when subject reaches age 31 if no subsequent adult record
  • Expunged Records: Physically removed from public access but maintained in segregated confidential files pursuant to court order

Agency-Specific Retention:

Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:

  • Sheriff's Office: Maintains booking and custody records permanently
  • Clerk of Court: Retains court case files permanently, including arrest information
  • District Attorney: Maintains case files according to case type and disposition
  • Louisiana State Police: Maintains criminal history information permanently in the central repository

Electronic Records Management:

With the transition to digital record-keeping, many arrest records are now maintained indefinitely in electronic format. The Louisiana Uniform Law Enforcement Statewide Reporting System facilitates the collection and maintenance of arrest data across jurisdictions.

Records retention serves several important public purposes:

  • Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
  • Provides documentation for background checks and security clearances
  • Maintains statistical data for crime analysis and resource allocation
  • Ensures accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system
  • Supports public safety through access to criminal history information

Individuals seeking to limit the retention of their arrest records may pursue expungement or record sealing as described in previous sections, subject to eligibility requirements under Louisiana law.

How to Find Mugshots in St. Landry County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. In St. Landry Parish, these photographs serve as visual identification records of individuals processed into the criminal justice system. Mugshots typically capture the arrestee's face from frontal and profile (side) views, often including a booking information board displaying the date, booking number, and arresting agency.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In St. Landry Parish, booking photographs are primarily maintained by the following agencies:

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office
1592 E Prudhomme St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 948-6516
St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains mugshots as part of their jail management system and booking records. These photographs are linked to arrest records in the agency's database.

Municipal Police Departments within St. Landry Parish may also maintain mugshots for arrests made within their jurisdictions before transferring arrestees to parish custody.

Finding Mugshots

Members of the public seeking mugshots in St. Landry Parish may utilize several methods:

  1. Submit a public records request to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office:

    • Provide the full name and date of birth of the individual
    • Specify the approximate date of arrest if known
    • Complete the required request form
    • Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying

  2. Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours:

    • Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
    • Bring identification and be prepared to complete request forms
    • Specify the exact records being sought

  3. Contact the arresting agency if it was a municipal police department rather than the Sheriff's Office

Can They Be Found Online

Limited mugshot information may be available online through:

  • The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office inmate roster, which typically displays booking photos of currently incarcerated individuals
  • The Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS), which may include photos of current inmates
  • Third-party websites that aggregate mugshots from public sources (users should exercise caution with non-official sources)

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

To ensure accuracy and legitimacy, the recommended method for obtaining mugshots is through official channels:

  1. Submit a formal public records request citing Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1
  2. Provide specific identifying information about the subject
  3. Explain the purpose of the request
  4. Allow processing time as specified by the records custodian
  5. Pay applicable fees for reproduction

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots may be restricted under certain circumstances:

  • Juvenile arrest photographs are generally confidential under Louisiana law
  • Expunged arrest records and associated mugshots are removed from public access
  • Ongoing investigations may result in temporary restrictions
  • Privacy protections may apply in certain sensitive cases
  • Recent legislation has limited commercial publication of mugshots in some contexts

Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware of ethical considerations regarding their use and distribution, as publication can have lasting impacts on the subjects regardless of case outcome.

Lookup Arrest Records in St. Landry County

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