>Red River Parish Arrest Records Online

Red River Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Red River Parish, Louisiana?

Arrest records in Red River Parish, Louisiana are public documents accessible to all citizens. This accessibility is mandated by the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), which establishes that governmental records, including arrest records, shall be available for public inspection. The statute specifically designates these records as public to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to maintain public trust through open access to such documentation. Members of the public may request these records from the appropriate parish agencies without demonstrating a specific need or purpose for obtaining the information.

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." This constitutional provision underscores the state's commitment to governmental transparency, which extends to arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Red River Parish.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Red River Parish?

Red River Parish arrest records are available through various online platforms, facilitating public access to this information. The Red River Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an electronic database that allows for remote access to certain arrest record information. This digital accessibility aligns with Louisiana's efforts to modernize record-keeping systems and improve public access to governmental information.

Online access to these records is governed by La. R.S. 44:31, which states that providing public records in electronic format is permissible when such format exists. The statute further specifies that custodians of public records shall provide copies to persons requesting them if the records are not in active use or otherwise unavailable at the time of the request.

It should be noted that while basic arrest information may be available online, comprehensive records may still require formal requests through established channels. The online systems typically provide limited information such as the arrestee's name, booking date, and charges, while detailed reports may necessitate direct contact with the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court.

How to Look Up Red River Parish Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Red River Parish arrest records have multiple avenues available for obtaining this information:

Visit the Red River Parish Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal request for arrest records. The office maintains comprehensive records of all arrests conducted within their jurisdiction.

Red River Parish Sheriff's Office
615 East Carroll Drive
PO Box 375
Coushatta, LA 71019
Phone: (318) 932-5753
Red River Parish Sheriff's Office

Access the Red River Parish Clerk of Court for arrest records that have resulted in formal charges or court proceedings. The Clerk maintains records of all criminal proceedings within the parish.

Red River Parish Clerk of Court
615 Carrol Street
Coushatta, LA 71019
Phone: (318) 932-5027
Red River Parish Clerk of Court

Submit requests through the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information for statewide criminal history information, which would include arrests in Red River Parish.

Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
7919 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 925-6095

Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, public records requests must be responded to within three business days. Custodians of records may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, as permitted under La. R.S. 44:32(C).

Contents of a Red River Parish Arrest Record

Red River Parish arrest records contain standardized information as required by Louisiana law. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative identities
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
Detailed enumeration of all charges filed against the individual, including citation of relevant Louisiana statutes
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including the processing agency and detention facility
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
Case disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
Bond information including amount set and payment status

In accordance with La. R.S. 15:578, fingerprint records and identification data are maintained by the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. These records are linked to the arrest documentation maintained by the Red River Parish Sheriff's Office and are accessible through proper channels as part of the comprehensive arrest record.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Red River Parish

The expungement process in Red River Parish allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as outlined in Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Expungement does not necessarily result in the destruction of records but rather restricts their accessibility to the general public.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Red River Parish include:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges may qualify for immediate expungement under Article 976
Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible for expungement after a five-year cleansing period without subsequent convictions as specified in Article 977
Certain felony convictions may qualify for expungement after a ten-year cleansing period as detailed in Article 978
First-offense marijuana possession convictions have specialized expungement provisions under Article 977(C)

The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Red River Parish Clerk of Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must pay applicable filing fees, which typically range from $550 to $650, depending on the nature of the case. The court may waive these fees upon a showing of indigence as permitted by Article 983.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a contradictory hearing where the district attorney and arresting agency may object to the expungement. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge the record from public access in accordance with Article 989.

Legal Restrictions on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Red River Parish are generally public, certain legal restrictions limit access in specific circumstances. Louisiana law establishes several categories of protected records:

Juvenile arrest records are confidential pursuant to Louisiana Children's Code Article 412, with limited exceptions for violent offenses
Records pertaining to victims of sexual offenses may have identifying information redacted as required by La. R.S. 46:1844(W)
Arrest records related to domestic violence cases may have victim information protected under La. R.S. 46:2134
Records that are subject to active investigation may be temporarily withheld under La. R.S. 44:3
Expunged records are removed from public access as directed by court order

Law enforcement agencies, including the Red River Parish Sheriff's Office, are required to balance public access rights with privacy protections established by these statutes. Custodians of records must review and potentially redact protected information before releasing arrest records to the public.

The Red River Parish Police Jury, as the governing authority for the parish, oversees compliance with public records laws and may establish parish-specific procedures for records access that conform to state requirements.