>Lafayette Parish Arrest Records Online

Lafayette Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana?

Arrest records are public in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation classifies arrest records as part of criminal record history information that is accessible to the general public. The Louisiana Public Records Law establishes the fundamental right of citizens to inspect and copy public records, with certain statutory exceptions designed to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and sensitive information.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various governmental agencies in Lafayette Parish, including the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office and the Lafayette Police Department. These records remain public unless specifically sealed or expunged through court order in accordance with La. R.S. 44:9, which provides the legal framework for expungement of arrest and conviction records under qualifying circumstances.

The Lafayette Consolidated Government maintains a commitment to transparency in public records access while balancing privacy considerations as mandated by state law. Custodians of public records in Lafayette Parish are required to provide access to arrest records during regular business hours, with reasonable accommodations for inspection, reproduction, and examination of these documents.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lafayette Parish?

Arrest records can be found online in Lafayette Parish through several authorized digital platforms. The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides public access to current arrest information and booking details. This digital resource is updated regularly to reflect recent arrests and custody status changes within the parish correctional system.

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court offers online access to court records, which may include information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Users must register for an account to access these digital records, and certain search fees may apply in accordance with La. R.S. 13:841, which authorizes clerks of court to charge reasonable fees for records searches and copies.

Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections provides a statewide offender lookup service that includes information about individuals who have been arrested and subsequently incarcerated in state facilities. This online resource allows for searches based on name, identification number, or other demographic information.

Digital access to arrest records is subject to the same legal restrictions and exemptions that apply to physical records under the Louisiana Public Records Act. Certain information may be redacted or restricted from online viewing to protect privacy rights or sensitive information as prescribed by law.

How to Look Up Lafayette Parish Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain arrest records in Lafayette Parish in 2025, members of the public may utilize several established methods in accordance with Louisiana public records statutes. The following options are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Submit a formal public records request to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office located at 316 W. Main Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. Requests may be submitted in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM), by telephone at (337) 232-9211, or via email at corrections@lafayettesheriff.com.
Visit the Lafayette Police Department Records Division at 900 E. University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70503. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (337) 291-8600 for inquiries regarding obtaining copies of police reports.
Access the Lafayette Parish Courthouse at 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501, where the Clerk of Court maintains criminal case records that may contain arrest information. The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and can be reached at (337) 291-6400.
Utilize the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office online inmate lookup system, which provides current booking information and arrest details for individuals in custody.
Submit a public records request through the Lafayette Consolidated Government's official website, which facilitates digital submission of records requests to appropriate departments.

Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, custodians of public records must present requested records during regular business hours. Requestors may be required to provide identification when requesting records in person, and reasonable fees may be assessed for search, retrieval, and copying services in accordance with established fee schedules.

Contents of a Lafayette Parish Arrest Record

Lafayette Parish arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Louisiana law enforcement protocols and the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including the address or geographical coordinates where the apprehension occurred
Arresting agency information, including the name of the law enforcement department and identification numbers of officers involved in the arrest
Booking details, including the booking number, fingerprint classification, and mugshot photographs taken during processing
Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including the specific Louisiana Revised Statute violations and charge classifications (misdemeanor or felony)
Custody status information, including bond amount if applicable, and whether the individual was released or remanded to custody
Preliminary court information, including arraignment date, court assignment, and case number if generated at the time of booking
Prior arrest history within Lafayette Parish, if applicable and included in the record

These records are maintained in accordance with La. R.S. 44:36, which establishes retention requirements for public records. The information contained in arrest records is subject to certain redactions to protect confidential information as defined in La. R.S. 44:3, particularly when the records pertain to juveniles or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lafayette Parish

The expungement process in Lafayette Parish follows the procedures established under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995, which provide the legal framework for removing arrest records from public access. Individuals seeking expungement must meet specific statutory criteria based on the disposition of their case and the nature of the charges.

Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976, persons may be eligible for expungement in the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in a conviction (nolle prosequi, dismissal, acquittal)
The conviction was set aside and the prosecution was dismissed
The individual has completed a pre-trial diversion program
The individual received a first-offense pardon under Article IV, Section 5(E)(1) of the Louisiana Constitution
The waiting period prescribed by statute has elapsed since completion of sentence, probation, or parole

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse, 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. Filing fees and costs associated with expungement proceedings are established by La. R.S. 13:841 and may include clerk's fees, sheriff's service fees, and Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information processing fees.

The Louisiana State Public Defender Board may provide assistance to eligible individuals seeking expungement who cannot afford private legal representation. Upon approval of an expungement petition by the court, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though certain governmental agencies retain limited access to the information as authorized by La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973.

The 15th Judicial District Court, which serves Lafayette Parish, processes expungement petitions in accordance with state law and local court rules. Hearings on expungement petitions are typically scheduled within 60 days of filing, as required by statute.

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