Arrest records in Acadia Parish, Louisiana are classified as public documents pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public. The statute serves to maintain transparency in law enforcement operations and judicial proceedings throughout the parish and state.
The Louisiana Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information that may be accessed by any person of the age of majority. These records remain public unless specifically sealed by court order or expunged according to statutory procedures outlined in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995. Public access to these records supports governmental accountability and allows citizens to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies operating within Acadia Parish.
Custodians of arrest records in Acadia Parish include the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments within the parish's jurisdictional boundaries. These agencies maintain records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Secretary of State's office.
Arrest records for Acadia Parish are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental entities and authorized third-party providers. The Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows for limited public access to current inmate information and recent arrest data. This online accessibility is provided in accordance with La. R.S. 44:31, which states that any person may obtain a copy of public records through digital means when such formats are available.
The Louisiana Department of Corrections also maintains an online offender locator system that includes information about individuals arrested and processed through the Acadia Parish criminal justice system. This system provides basic arrest information including charges, booking dates, and current custody status for individuals processed through the Acadia Parish Detention Center.
Online access to these records is subject to certain limitations established by La. R.S. 44:31.1, which prohibits persons incarcerated in correctional facilities from requesting public records. Additionally, La. R.S. 44:4.1 outlines specific exceptions to public records disclosure that may apply to certain arrest record information, particularly in cases involving juveniles or ongoing investigations.
Members of the public seeking Acadia Parish arrest records in 2025 may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established for accessing these public documents:
Submit a formal public records request to the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office located at 1037 Capitol Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526. Requests may be submitted in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) or by calling (337) 788-8700.
Access the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office online inmate search portal, which provides current booking information and recent arrest data. This service is available 24 hours per day pursuant to La. R.S. 44:31.
Visit the Acadia Parish Clerk of Court at 500 North Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526, during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) to request court records related to arrests. The office can be reached at (337) 788-8881.
Utilize the Louisiana Court Records portal which aggregates public records from multiple jurisdictions within the state, including Acadia Parish.
Contact the Acadia Parish Detention Center directly at 1061 Capital Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526, or by phone at (337) 788-8740 for information regarding current inmates.
Requestors should note that pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C)(1)(a), a reasonable fee may be charged for copies of public records. Additionally, proper identification may be required when requesting records in person in accordance with departmental policies.
Arrest records maintained by Acadia Parish law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Louisiana state law. These records generally include the following components:
The Louisiana Uniform Law Enforcement Reporting Standards, as established by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, requires these elements to be documented in a consistent format across all parish jurisdictions. Pursuant to La. R.S. 15:578, fingerprint records collected during the arrest process are also forwarded to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information.
Arrest records in Acadia Parish are maintained separately from court records, though they may be referenced in court proceedings. The completeness of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the offense.
The expungement process in Acadia Parish provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as outlined in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995. Individuals seeking expungement must file a formal petition with the court of original jurisdiction where the arrest occurred.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Acadia Parish include:
The expungement procedure requires submission of standardized forms to the Acadia Parish Clerk of Court along with payment of filing fees as established by La. R.S. 44:32. Current filing fees include $550 for expungement processing, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants pursuant to La. C.C.P. Art. 5181.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the arrest record from public databases. These agencies include the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973.
Individuals seeking expungement assistance may contact the Acadia Parish District Attorney's Office at 500 North Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526, or by phone at (337) 788-8814.