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Lake Charles Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

Arrest records are public in Lake Charles, Louisiana, pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records produced, maintained, or received by public bodies are considered public documents and must be made available for inspection by members of the public. The Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to various public records, including arrest documentation. However, certain exceptions exist under Louisiana law that may restrict access to specific arrest records, particularly those involving juvenile offenders, ongoing investigations, or cases where records have been legally expunged or sealed by court order.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office and Lake Charles Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest records must submit proper identification when requesting such information, as mandated by La. R.S. 44:32, which governs the procedures for examining public records.

How to Look Up Lake Charles Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Lake Charles as of 2025. Pursuant to Louisiana's public records statutes, citizens may access these documents through several official channels:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Individuals may visit the Lake Charles Police Department located at 830 Enterprise Boulevard, Lake Charles, LA 70601 (Phone: 337-491-1311) during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit formal requests for arrest records.
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office: Records may be requested at 5400 E. Broad Street, Lake Charles, LA 70615 (Phone: 337-491-3700). The Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court: The Calcasieu Clerk of Court maintains criminal records at 1000 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 (Phone: 337-437-3550). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Online Database Access: The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office provides limited inmate roster information through their official website. Additionally, the Lake Charles City Court offers online case lookup services for cases processed through their jurisdiction.
Third-Party Record Services: Commercial background check services aggregate public records, though these may require subscription fees and may not contain the most current information.

Requestors should note that pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(A), a reasonable fee may be charged for copies of records, and identification will be required when submitting requests.

Contents of a Lake Charles Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Lake Charles law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive information as prescribed by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 228. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures
Enumeration of all charges filed, including citation of applicable Louisiana statutes
Case or docket number assigned by the arresting agency
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Detention status information, including bail amount if applicable
Court appearance dates and disposition information when available

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections maintains standardized booking procedures that ensure consistency in record creation across jurisdictions. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form part of the criminal justice record system as outlined in La. R.S. 15:578.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Despite the general presumption of public access, Louisiana law establishes several important exceptions that limit the disclosure of certain arrest records. These restrictions serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and rehabilitation efforts:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are confidential and not subject to public disclosure except under specific court orders.
Expunged Records: Under La. R.S. 44:9, records that have been legally expunged following court proceedings are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Ongoing Investigations: Records related to pending criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under La. R.S. 44:3, which exempts records that would impede ongoing law enforcement proceedings.
Sealed Court Orders: Judges may issue orders sealing specific arrest records when legally justified, typically following successful completion of diversion programs or in cases where charges were dismissed.
Domestic Violence Victims: Information that could identify victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses, or human trafficking receives special protection under La. R.S. 46:1844(W).

Law enforcement agencies in Lake Charles must carefully balance public disclosure requirements against these statutory protections when responding to record requests. Individuals seeking access to restricted records may need to obtain court orders demonstrating legitimate need for the information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lake Charles

The expungement process in Lake Charles provides a legal mechanism for removing eligible arrest records from public access. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:9 and La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995, individuals may petition for expungement under specific circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
Misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period of 5 years with no subsequent convictions
Certain non-violent felony convictions after a 10-year waiting period with no subsequent felony convictions
First-offense marijuana possession convictions (less than 14 grams) after a 2-year waiting period
Successfully completed pretrial diversion programs

The expungement procedure requires filing a formal petition with the Lake Charles City Court (located at 118 W. Mill Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, Phone: 337-491-1565) or the 14th Judicial District Court (1001 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601, Phone: 337-437-3550), depending on the jurisdiction of the original case.

Filing fees for expungement petitions typically range from $550 to $650, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (7919 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806) must verify eligibility for expungement before court approval.

Upon successful expungement, records are removed from public databases, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in La. R.S. 44:9(G).

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Lake Charles frequently utilize arrest records as components of background screening processes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Louisiana employment laws govern the proper use of such information:

Employers must obtain written consent before conducting background checks that include arrest record searches
Louisiana law (La. R.S. 23:291) provides limited immunity to employers who disclose job performance information about current or former employees
The Lake Charles Police Department provides background check services for employment purposes at their headquarters
Arrest records without convictions generally cannot be used as sole justification for adverse employment decisions under federal EEOC guidelines

Organizations conducting background checks must ensure compliance with both state and federal regulations regarding the proper handling and consideration of arrest record information. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office provides guidance on appropriate use of criminal history information for background screening purposes.