Benton Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Benton, Louisiana?
Arrest records are public documents in Benton, Louisiana, pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The statute affirms that all records, writings, accounts, letters, maps, drawings, memoranda, and papers preserved by public bodies are considered public records unless specifically exempted by law. The Louisiana Constitution, Article XII, Section 3, further reinforces this right by declaring 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."
Citizens seeking arrest records in Benton may access these documents through designated governmental agencies. The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes, including governmental transparency, public safety awareness, and the ability of citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their community.
How to Look Up Benton Arrest Records in 2025
The retrieval of arrest records in Benton, Louisiana has been streamlined through various channels to accommodate public inquiries. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official resources:
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office: The primary law enforcement agency maintains arrest records for the parish, including Benton. Citizens may request records in person.
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-2203
Bossier Parish Sheriff's OfficeBossier Parish Clerk of Court: This office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
Bossier Parish Clerk of Court
PO Box 430
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-2336
Bossier Parish Clerk of CourtBossier Parish Courthouse: The courthouse houses various judicial records, including those pertaining to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Bossier Parish Courthouse
204 Burt Boulevard, Second Floor
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-230126th Judicial District Court: This court maintains records of cases processed through the judicial system in Bossier Parish.
26th Judicial District Court
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006
(318) 965-2214
Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, public bodies are required to provide reasonable accommodations for the examination of public records during regular office hours. A nominal fee may be charged for the reproduction of records in accordance with La. R.S. 44:32(C).
Contents of a Benton Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Benton law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Louisiana law. These documents typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and distinguishing marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Specific charges filed, with reference to applicable Louisiana statutes
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint impressions
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Case or docket number assigned by the judicial system
- Bail or bond information, if applicable
- Detention facility information, if the individual was incarcerated
The comprehensiveness of arrest records is governed by La. R.S. 44:3, which delineates certain exceptions to public disclosure, particularly for records that may compromise ongoing investigations or endanger individuals. Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under La. Ch.C. Art. 412, limiting public access to such information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Benton
The State of Louisiana provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records through a process codified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995. Expungement refers to the legal procedure by which arrest records are removed from public access, though they may remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Benton include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
- Arrests that did not lead to prosecution (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976)
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period of five years with no subsequent convictions (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 977)
- First-offense felony convictions for non-violent, non-sexual offenses after a ten-year waiting period with no subsequent convictions (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978)
The expungement process requires the submission of a petition to the 26th Judicial District Court in Benton. Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 980, the petition must be served upon the District Attorney, the arresting agency, and the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. A filing fee of $550 is required, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 983.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. However, certain governmental entities retain limited access to expunged records as specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973, including law enforcement agencies conducting background checks for employment purposes within their departments.
The Louisiana Legislature has established the Clean Slate Law (Act 494 of 2022), which will implement automated expungement procedures for certain eligible records beginning in 2025, potentially affecting the expungement process in Benton.
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