>St. Bernard Parish Arrest Records Online

St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana?

Arrest records in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana are considered public information under state law. The Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) establishes that governmental records, including arrest records, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. This legislation ensures government transparency and accountability by providing citizens with access to records documenting law enforcement activities within the parish. Public access to these records serves multiple purposes, including allowing community members to monitor law enforcement practices and providing necessary information for background checks and other legitimate inquiries.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records as the primary law enforcement agency for the parish. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain records may be restricted if they pertain to ongoing investigations, juvenile cases, or contain sensitive information protected by privacy laws. Records containing protected health information under HIPAA or information related to victims of certain crimes may also be redacted or restricted from public view.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in St. Bernard Parish?

St. Bernard Parish provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records through online platforms. The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that allows members of the public to search for current and recently released inmates. This database typically includes basic arrest information, charges, and custody status.

The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court also offers an online records portal where court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed. Users should note that these online systems may not contain complete historical records, as older records might only be available through in-person requests. Additionally, the information available online may be limited compared to complete records available at physical locations.

Online access to these records is governed by La. R.S. 44:32, which permits agencies to establish reasonable procedures for accessing public records. Users may encounter nominal fees for certain online searches or document retrieval services, as authorized by La. R.S. 44:32(C).

How to Look Up St. Bernard Parish Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Bernard Parish have several official channels through which they may obtain this information:

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office 2 Courthouse Square Chalmette, LA 70043 (504) 271-2501 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records, arrest reports, and inmate information. Requestors should complete a public records request form specifying the information sought. Identification may be required, and fees for copies apply pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32.

St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court 1101 West St. Bernard Highway Chalmette, LA 70043 (504) 271-3434 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests, including case filings and dispositions. Records may be searched by name or case number. Standard fees apply for document copies as established by parish ordinance.

Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information 7919 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 925-6095 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests across multiple jurisdictions, the State Police maintains the central repository for Louisiana criminal records. Requests require fingerprints and payment of statutory fees pursuant to La. R.S. 15:587.

When requesting records in person, individuals should bring valid government-issued photo identification. Written requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and specific information sought. Agencies typically respond to requests within three business days as required by La. R.S. 44:35.

Contents of a St. Bernard Parish Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by St. Bernard Parish 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 and generally include:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases or known nicknames
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification information
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges with corresponding statute citations
Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records and unique identification numbers
Custody status information including bond amounts and conditions
Case disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Records related to felony arrests typically contain more extensive documentation than those for misdemeanor offenses. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:3, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, particularly details that might compromise ongoing investigations or endanger witnesses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Bernard Parish

Louisiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in St. Bernard Parish under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes. The authority for expungement is established under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in St. Bernard Parish include:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
Misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period of five years with no subsequent arrests or convictions
Certain felony convictions after a waiting period of ten years with no subsequent felony arrests or convictions
First-offense marijuana possession convictions (less than 14 grams) after a two-year waiting period
Successfully completed pretrial diversion programs

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the St. Bernard Parish District Court where the arrest or conviction occurred. Petitioners must submit fingerprints, identification, and pay applicable filing fees, which typically range from $550 to $650 depending on the nature of the case. The District Attorney's Office and arresting agency have the opportunity to object to the expungement request.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most violent crimes, sex offenses, and domestic violence convictions. Additionally, expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies, licensing boards, and certain employers as permitted under La. R.S. 44:9.