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.
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.
Members of the public seeking Red River Parish arrest records have multiple avenues available for obtaining this information:
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
Red River Parish Clerk of Court
615 Carrol Street
Coushatta, LA 71019
Phone: (318) 932-5027
Red River Parish Clerk of Court
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).
Red River Parish arrest records contain standardized information as required by Louisiana law. These records typically include the following elements:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.