Arrest records in St. James 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 pertaining to arrests, shall be available for public inspection. The Louisiana Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials by ensuring citizens have access to records created, obtained, or maintained by public bodies. The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duties under Louisiana law. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures, subject only to specific exemptions defined by state statute.
St. James Parish arrest records are available through various online platforms authorized to disseminate such information. The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides public access to current arrest information. This digital resource is updated regularly in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:3, which governs the availability of law enforcement records. The online system allows for efficient public access while maintaining compliance with state regulations regarding the dissemination of arrest information. Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, comprehensive criminal history records may require formal requests through designated channels as prescribed by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in St. James Parish, each designed to accommodate different public needs. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following official channels:
Requestors should be prepared to present identification and may be required to pay reasonable fees for document reproduction as permitted under La. R.S. 44:32(C).
Standard arrest records maintained by the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office contain specific information as mandated by Louisiana law. These official documents typically include:
These records are maintained in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:36, which establishes retention requirements for public records. The information contained within arrest records is subject to verification by the arresting agency and may be updated as case proceedings advance through the judicial system.
The expungement process in St. James Parish follows procedures established under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Eligible individuals may petition to have arrest records removed from public access under specific circumstances. The expungement process requires:
Eligibility criteria vary based on offense classification and case disposition. Generally, expungements may be granted for arrests that did not lead to conviction, certain misdemeanor convictions after cleansing periods, and select felony convictions as specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information serves as the central repository for all expungement orders and implements approved expungements across all state databases pursuant to La. R.S. 44:9.