Arrest records are public documents in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. Public access to these records is governed by the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), which establishes that all records maintained by public bodies, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. This legislative framework ensures transparency in law enforcement operations and maintains public oversight of governmental functions. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:31, any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record, subject to reasonable limitations established by law.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties. These records document the official actions of law enforcement personnel and become part of the public record upon creation. The Louisiana Constitution, Article XII, Section 3, further reinforces this right to public information 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."
East Baton Rouge Parish arrest records are accessible through various online platforms. The digital availability of these records is part of the parish's commitment to public transparency and efficient information dissemination as mandated by La. R.S. 44:32, which requires custodians of public records to provide immediate access when records are not in active use.
The 19th Judicial District Court provides an online portal where members of the public may search for criminal case information, including arrest details. Additionally, the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court maintains electronic records that may be accessed remotely. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:33.1, the Clerk's Office is required to publicize contact information for the person responsible for public records requests.
Online access to arrest records is subject to certain limitations. Some records may be redacted or restricted if they contain confidential information as defined by La. R.S. 44:4.1, which enumerates exceptions to the Public Records Act. Additionally, technical limitations may affect the completeness of online records, particularly for older cases that may not have been fully digitized.
Members of the public seeking East Baton Rouge Parish arrest records may utilize several official channels:
Sheriff's Office Records Division: The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records. Requests may be submitted in person at 8900 Jimmy Wedell Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70807. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For inquiries, call (225) 389-5000.
Criminal Warrants Division: For information about outstanding warrants, contact the Sheriff's Office Criminal Warrants Division at (225) 389-5094.
Clerk of Court: The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court provides access to court records related to arrests at 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (225) 383-0378 for assistance.
Louisiana State Police Background Checks: For official criminal history information, the Louisiana State Police offers an Internet Background Check service. Pursuant to La. R.S. 15:587D.(1), a $5 Technology Fee is charged for each check in addition to the standard processing fee.
Public Records Request: The City of Baton Rouge accepts formal public records requests for arrest information. Requests should be directed to the Senior Special Assistant Parish Attorney at 222 St. Louis Street, Room 902, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C)(1)(a), reasonable fees may be charged for copies of public records.
East Baton Rouge Parish arrest records contain standardized information as required by La. R.S. 15:578, which governs the collection and dissemination of criminal history record information. A typical arrest record includes:
The 19th Judicial District Court, which has jurisdiction over criminal matters in East Baton Rouge Parish, maintains case records that may contain additional information related to court proceedings following an arrest. These records may include charging documents, court appearances, and case dispositions.
It should be noted that pursuant to La. R.S. 44:4.1, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, financial account information, and information related to juvenile offenders or victims of certain crimes.
Louisiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access, though they may remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes. The authority for expungement is established in La. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 971-995.
Individuals may be eligible for expungement in East Baton Rouge Parish under the following circumstances:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the 19th Judicial District Court at 300 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:9, the court may order all agencies holding records related to the arrest to expunge their records upon granting of the petition.
Expungement fees in East Baton Rouge Parish include a $550 filing fee payable to the Clerk of Court, plus additional service fees for each agency holding records. La. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 983 provides for fee waivers in cases of factual innocence or when charges were dismissed or refused.