Arrest records are public documents in Pineville, Louisiana, accessible to all citizens under the provisions of the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This comprehensive legislation establishes that governmental records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection. The statute serves multiple public interest functions, including promoting transparency in governmental operations, ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies, and providing citizens with information about criminal activity within their communities. Public access to these records enables residents to monitor the activities of the Pineville Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies operating within municipal boundaries.
The Louisiana Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety. Individuals seeking access to arrest records in Pineville may exercise their statutory right to this information without demonstrating a specific need or purpose for obtaining such records.
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Pineville, Louisiana. The following methods represent the primary means by which individuals may obtain this information:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Pineville Police Department, located at 910 Main Street, Pineville, LA 71360. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (318) 442-6603.
The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court maintains comprehensive records of arrests occurring within parish boundaries, including those in Pineville. Their office is located at 701 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (318) 473-8153.
The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office provides access to arrest records for cases handled by county law enforcement. Their main office is located at 700 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (318) 473-6700.
Public access terminals are available at the Pineville Public Library, located at 1250 Edgewood Drive, Pineville, LA 71360. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (318) 442-2483.
The Louisiana State Police maintain a centralized criminal history database that includes arrest records from jurisdictions throughout the state, including Pineville. Requests may be submitted to their headquarters at 7919 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (225) 925-6006.
Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. These fees typically range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page for standard documents, with additional charges for certified copies or extensive research services.
Arrest records maintained by Pineville law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Louisiana state law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and contact information.
Photographic identification (mugshot) taken at the time of booking, along with fingerprint impressions collected according to standardized procedures.
Detailed incident information, including the date, time, and precise location where the arrest occurred.
Nature of the alleged offense(s), including specific statutory violations cited under the Louisiana Criminal Code or Pineville Municipal Code.
Identity of the arresting officer(s), including name, badge number, and departmental affiliation.
Booking information, including the date and time of processing, assigned identification numbers, and initial detention location.
Bail or bond information, including the amount set, conditions imposed, and whether the individual was released pending further proceedings.
Case disposition information, if available, indicating whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction.
In accordance with La. R.S. 44:3, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including the identities of confidential informants, details that might compromise ongoing investigations, or information pertaining to juvenile offenders.
The State of Louisiana provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by Pineville law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995, expungement procedures allow for the legal removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of Pineville arrest records include:
Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or declined prosecution may qualify for immediate expungement consideration.
Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible for expungement after a five-year period without subsequent arrests, provided all terms of the sentence have been satisfied.
Certain felony convictions may qualify for expungement after a ten-year period without subsequent arrests, subject to statutory limitations and exclusions.
First-time offenders who have successfully completed pre-trial diversion programs may petition for expungement upon program completion.
The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the Ninth Judicial District Court, located at 701 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (318) 473-8153.
Petitioners must submit standardized forms prescribed by the Louisiana Supreme Court, accompanied by supporting documentation and required filing fees. Current filing fees for expungement petitions in Rapides Parish total approximately $550, which includes court costs, processing fees, and charges assessed by various agencies involved in the expungement process.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Pineville Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, and Louisiana State Police, to seal or remove the specified records from public access. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:9, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain governmental entities for official purposes, despite being removed from public view.
Individuals seeking expungement of Pineville arrest records should be aware that the process is governed by strict statutory requirements and procedural rules. The Louisiana State Legislature periodically amends expungement laws, most recently through Act 362 of the 2022 Regular Session, which expanded eligibility criteria for certain offenses.