>Orleans Parish Arrest Records Online

Orleans Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?

Arrest records in Orleans Parish, Louisiana are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be available for public inspection. The Louisiana Public Records Act specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and matters of public safety.

Members of the public may access these records through various governmental agencies, including the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and the New Orleans Police Department. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes, including maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system, facilitating background checks for employment and housing, and providing citizens with information regarding public safety in their communities.

It should be noted that while arrest records are public, certain information contained within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws. Information that may be withheld includes Social Security numbers, medical information, and other personally identifying information as specified in La. R.S. 44:11.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Orleans Parish?

Orleans Parish arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by local government agencies. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office provides a comprehensive online database that allows members of the public to search for current and past detainees. This system, implemented pursuant to La. R.S. 44:3.1, enables citizens to access arrest information remotely without the necessity of appearing in person at governmental offices.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Inmate Master Search provides arrest information as mandated by the Freedom of Information Act and the Louisiana Public Records Act. This database is updated regularly to ensure accuracy of information regarding individuals currently in custody or recently released.

Additionally, the New Orleans Police Department maintains digital records accessible through the City of New Orleans public records portal. This platform allows citizens to submit requests for specific arrest records and provides access to aggregated arrest data for statistical and research purposes.

It should be noted that while basic arrest information is available online, obtaining complete arrest records may require additional steps, including formal records requests and payment of applicable fees as established by La. R.S. 44:32.

How to Look Up Orleans Parish Arrest Records in 2025

Citizens seeking Orleans Parish arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by Louisiana state law and local ordinances:

In-Person Requests:

New Orleans Police Department Records Division 715 S. Broad Avenue New Orleans, LA 70119 Phone: (504) 658-5575 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division 2800 Gravier Street New Orleans, LA 70119 Phone: (504) 827-6777 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Online Resources:

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Detainee Search provides current custody information and recent arrest data.
The Criminal District Court Docket Master Search allows citizens to track cases resulting from arrests.
The City of New Orleans Public Records Request Portal facilitates formal requests for complete arrest records.

Required Information: When requesting arrest records, citizens must provide specific identifying information pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(B), including:

Full legal name of the individual
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Case or arrest number (if available)
Government-issued identification of the requestor

Fees for arrest record searches are established by La. R.S. 44:32(C) and may include charges for document reproduction, certified copies, and search time exceeding 15 minutes. Current fee schedules are available at the respective agencies' offices and websites.

Contents of an Orleans Parish Arrest Record

Orleans Parish arrest records contain standardized information as required by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 228. These official documents typically include the following elements:

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 arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency making the arrest
Offense Information: Specific charges filed; Louisiana Revised Statutes citation for each offense; classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony)
Booking Data: Booking number, fingerprint identification, photograph, and property inventory
Case Processing: Court docket number, bail or bond amount, court appearance dates, and disposition information
Custody Status: Current detention status, facility location, and projected release date if applicable

Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:3, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Confidential informant identities
Juvenile arrest information (except as provided in Children's Code Art. 412)
Medical and mental health information
Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Secretary of State's Records Management program, typically for a minimum of 10 years following the final disposition of the case.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Orleans Parish

The expungement process in Orleans Parish provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as authorized by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Individuals may petition for expungement when:

An arrest did not lead to a conviction
The case was dismissed or refused by the district attorney
The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program
The conviction was set aside and the prosecution dismissed
The individual received a first-offense pardon
The waiting period has elapsed for eligible convictions (typically 5-10 years depending on offense classification)

The expungement procedure requires filing a formal petition with the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court located at:

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court 2700 Tulane Avenue New Orleans, LA 70119 Phone: (504) 658-9000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 983, filing fees for expungement petitions range from $550 to $650, depending on the nature of the case. Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants upon submission of an affidavit of indigency.

Upon approval of an expungement, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to remove the record from public access. However, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, and certain licensing boards as specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973.

It should be noted that not all offenses qualify for expungement under Louisiana law. Prohibitions exist for violent crimes, sex offenses, domestic violence convictions, and certain drug trafficking offenses as enumerated in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978.

Search Arrest Records in Orleans Parish

Cities

New Orleans