Arrest records are public documents in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, in accordance with the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Louisiana Constitution, Article XII, Section 3, further reinforces this right by stating 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." Members of the public may inspect, copy, or reproduce these records during regular business hours, subject to reasonable fees for reproduction services.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty under Louisiana law. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain records may be subject to redaction or restriction, particularly those involving juvenile offenders, ongoing investigations, or cases where public disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in La. R.S. 44:3.
Arrest records for Lafourche Parish are available through various online platforms, both governmental and third-party services. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides limited information regarding recent arrests and inmate status. This resource is updated regularly but may not contain comprehensive historical data.
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections also maintains an offender information database that includes individuals who have been processed through the parish detention system and transferred to state custody.
Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, these electronic records must be provided in the format in which they exist, if requested. However, the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of online records may vary across different platforms. Certain information may be redacted from online versions in accordance with privacy protections established under state law.
Users of online arrest record services should be aware that:
Individuals seeking Lafourche Parish arrest records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following options are provided in accordance with La. R.S. 44:31, which states that any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record.
In-Person Requests:
Remote Access Options:
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide specific identifying information such as the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C), custodians of records may establish and collect reasonable fees for making reproductions of public records.
Arrest records maintained by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office contain standardized information as required by Louisiana Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines. These records typically include the following components:
Biographical Information:
Arrest Details:
Criminal Charges:
Case Processing Information:
The Lafourche Parish Detention Center, operating under the authority of the Sheriff's Office, maintains these records in accordance with state record retention schedules. As mandated by La. R.S. 44:36, these records must be preserved for a minimum of three years from the date on which they were made.
The expungement process in Lafourche Parish allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided in Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Expungement does not result in the destruction of records but rather restricts their accessibility to the general public.
Eligibility Criteria: Individuals may qualify for expungement in the following situations:
Application Process: The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Lafourche Parish 17th Judicial District Court located at:
Lafourche Parish Courthouse 200 Green Street Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone: (985) 447-4841
Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976, the petition must include:
Filing fees for expungement typically range from $550 to $650, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants. The Louisiana State Police, district attorney's office, and arresting agency must be served with copies of the petition and have 60 days to object.