Arrest records in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are presumed to be available for public inspection. The Louisiana Constitution, Article XII, Section 3, further reinforces this right by stating that "no person shall be denied the right to observe the deliberations of public bodies and examine public documents, except in cases established by law."
The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental functions:
Exceptions to public access may apply in certain circumstances as outlined in La. R.S. 44:3, particularly for ongoing investigations or when disclosure would compromise public safety or individual privacy rights beyond the scope intended by the legislature.
Digital access to Beauregard Parish arrest records is available through several official and third-party platforms. The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that is updated regularly with information on current detainees and recent bookings. This digital resource is provided in accordance with La. R.S. 44:31, which states that public records shall be available for inspection during regular office hours or, when appropriate, by electronic means.
The online availability of these records is subject to the following provisions:
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections also maintains a statewide offender database that may include individuals processed through Beauregard Parish facilities. Users should note that La. R.S. 14:405 prohibits incarcerated individuals from establishing internet accounts, which affects how information about current inmates is presented online.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Beauregard Parish. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, custodians of public records must make such records available to any person of the age of majority who requests them. The following official channels are available for record retrieval:
Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office
412 Bolivar Bishop Drive
DeRidder, LA 70634
(337) 463-3281
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court
201 W. 1st Street
DeRidder, LA 70634
(337) 463-8595
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
36th Judicial District Court
201 W. 1st Street
DeRidder, LA 70634
(337) 463-8595
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors may utilize the following methods to access records:
Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C), reasonable fees may be charged for copies of records. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's office and may include charges for certified copies, extensive searches, or specialized document preparation.
Arrest records maintained by Beauregard Parish law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by La. R.S. 15:578. These records typically include comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system from the point of arrest. Standard components of these records include:
The Louisiana Uniform Law Enforcement Reporting standards govern the format and content of these records. Pursuant to La. R.S. 15:578.1, arrest record information is transmitted to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for inclusion in the state's central repository.
Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with La. R.S. 44:3, particularly details that might compromise ongoing investigations or reveal the identity of confidential informants.
The expungement process in Beauregard Parish follows the procedures established in Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Expungement provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. The 36th Judicial District Court, which serves Beauregard Parish, has jurisdiction over expungement proceedings within the parish.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires:
Upon successful expungement, agencies must remove the records from public access pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 989. However, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, and certain licensing boards as specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973.