Arrest records are public documents in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, 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, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Louisiana Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding arrests that have occurred within parish jurisdiction.
Members of the public may request arrest records from various agencies within Bossier Parish, including the Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Court. These records typically become available after the booking process has been completed and the information has been entered into the parish's record-keeping system. Certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly in cases involving juveniles or ongoing investigations as specified under La. R.S. 44:3.
Bossier Parish arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by parish and state agencies. The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office provides access to certain arrest information through their official website, including recent booking information and inmate searches. Additionally, the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court maintains electronic records that may include arrest information related to court proceedings.
Online accessibility is subject to system limitations and record availability. Some records may require additional verification steps before they can be viewed electronically, particularly those containing sensitive information or pertaining to cases with special handling requirements. Records available online typically include basic arrest information such as the arrestee's name, charges, and booking date, while more detailed information may require formal requests through appropriate channels.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Bossier Parish arrest records:
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-2203
Official Website
Bossier Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 430
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-2336
Official Website
Louisiana State Police
7919 Independence Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 925-6006
Official Website
26th Judicial District Court
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-2214
Official Website
Bossier Parish arrest records contain standardized information as required by Louisiana law. These records typically include:
Pursuant to La. R.S. 15:578, certain arrest record information may be restricted if the arrest did not lead to conviction or if the record has been expunged through proper legal channels. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under La. Ch.C. Art. 412, with limited exceptions for specific circumstances.
The expungement process in Bossier Parish allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Expungement eligibility is determined by several factors:
The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the 26th Judicial District Court. Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976, petitioners must submit standardized forms along with supporting documentation and applicable filing fees. Current filing fees for expungement in Bossier Parish total approximately $550, which includes court costs and fees payable to various agencies including the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, and Bureau of Criminal Identification.
Following submission, the petition is served to the District Attorney's Office, the arresting agency, and the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. These agencies have 60 days to object to the expungement request. If no objections are filed, or if the court overrules any objections, an expungement order may be issued. Once granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal or destroy records pertaining to the arrest.
Bossier Parish District Attorney's Office
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-2332
Official Website
It should be noted that even after expungement, certain governmental agencies retain limited access to expunged records for specific purposes as authorized by La. R.S. 44:9, including law enforcement agencies and licensing boards for certain professions.