Thibodaux Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Thibodaux, Louisiana?
Arrest records in Thibodaux, Louisiana are considered public documents and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), which establishes that governmental records, including those related to arrests, shall be available for public inspection. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and matters involving protected privacy interests. 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."
Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
• Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations • Facilitating accountability of government agencies • Allowing citizens to monitor the criminal justice system • Providing necessary information for background checks • Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:31, any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record, except as otherwise provided by law. Government agencies in Thibodaux are required to respond to public records requests promptly, typically within three business days of receipt of the request.
How to Look Up Thibodaux Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Thibodaux have several methods available to access this information. The Thibodaux Police Department maintains records of arrests within city limits, while the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office maintains records for arrests throughout the parish, including those in Thibodaux.
Individuals may obtain arrest records through the following channels:
• In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the Thibodaux Police Department or the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office to submit a formal request for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may apply for document reproduction.
Thibodaux Police Department
1309 Canal Boulevard
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 446-5021
Records Division Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
200 Canal Boulevard
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 448-2111
Records Division Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
• Written Requests: Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records by mail or email. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest.
• Online Resources: The Thibodaux Police Department and Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office maintain online databases that may include recent arrest information. These digital resources have been expanded in recent years to improve public access.
• Clerk of Court: The Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court maintains court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings.
Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
200 Green Street
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 447-4841
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors should note that pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C), reasonable fees may be charged for copying records. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's office or website.
Contents of a Thibodaux Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Thibodaux law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Louisiana law. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system beginning at the point of arrest.
Standard information contained in Thibodaux arrest records includes:
• Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, address, and other identifying information of the arrested individual
• Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency making the arrest
• Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including citations to applicable Louisiana Revised Statutes or Thibodaux Municipal Code sections; description of the alleged criminal activity
• Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprints, and photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
• Case Disposition: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, court appearances, and case outcomes if available
• Property Information: Details regarding any property seized during the arrest
Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:3, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:
• Information that would compromise ongoing criminal investigations • Confidential informant identities • Juvenile arrest information (subject to restrictions under La. Ch.C. Art. 412) • Certain victim information in cases involving sexual offenses
The Louisiana Law Enforcement Records Management System (LERMS) standardizes the format and content of arrest records across jurisdictions, ensuring consistency in record-keeping practices throughout Thibodaux and Lafourche Parish.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Thibodaux
The expungement process in Thibodaux follows Louisiana state law, specifically Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Expungement provides a legal mechanism through which qualifying individuals may have their arrest records removed from public access, though certain governmental agencies retain limited access to expunged records.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Thibodaux include:
• Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges • Arrests where no charges were filed within the statutory time limitations • Successful completion of pre-trial diversion programs • Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after prescribed waiting periods • First-offense marijuana possession (less than 14 grams) convictions
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File an expungement petition with the Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
- Pay applicable filing fees (currently $550 for most expungements)
- Serve copies of the petition on the District Attorney, arresting agency, and Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification
- Attend a contradictory hearing if objections are filed
Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978, certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including:
• Violent crimes as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) • Sex offenses involving minors • Domestic abuse battery • Multiple DWI offenses
Individuals seeking expungement may file applications at:
Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
200 Green Street
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 447-4841
The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information maintains the central repository of criminal history information and processes approved expungements:
Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
7919 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 925-6095
Upon successful expungement, records are removed from public databases, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973.
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