>St. Landry Parish Arrest Records Online

St. Landry Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records

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

Arrest records in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana are classified as public documents pursuant to Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records created or maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. 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."

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. Public access to these records promotes governmental transparency, ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies, and provides citizens with information pertinent to public safety concerns. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with La. R.S. 44:3, which provides exemptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and information that may compromise public safety.

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

St. Landry Parish arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and authorized third-party providers. The Louisiana State Police serves as the central repository for criminal history information throughout the state, including arrest data from St. Landry Parish. This agency collects, maintains, and disseminates criminal justice information in accordance with La. R.S. 15:578.

Online access to arrest records is governed by La. R.S. 44:31, which stipulates that public records shall be available for inspection during regular office hours or via electronic means when such capabilities exist. The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows for remote searches of current inmate populations and recent arrest information. Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections provides a statewide offender locator service that includes individuals processed through the St. Landry Parish criminal justice system.

Users should be aware that online records may not contain complete arrest histories, as certain records may be subject to expungement, sealing, or other legal restrictions on disclosure pursuant to La. R.S. 44:9.

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

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in St. Landry Parish, each with varying levels of comprehensiveness and accessibility. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, custodians of public records must present any public record to any person of the age of majority who requests it during regular business hours. The following options are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information:

In-person requests at the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office
108 South Market Street
Opelousas, LA 70571
Phone: (337) 948-5804
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court
118 South Court Street, Suite 100
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 942-5606
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Clerk maintains court records related to arrests that proceeded to prosecution.
Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
7919 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 925-6095
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Provides comprehensive criminal history information for a statutory fee of $26 per record search.
Online Inmate Search Portal
The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate roster accessible through their official website. This resource provides information on individuals currently in custody.

Requestors should note that pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C), fees may be charged for copies of records, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Additionally, some records may require processing time in accordance with La. R.S. 44:35, which allows agencies up to five business days to respond to public records requests.

Contents of a St. Landry Parish Arrest Record

St. Landry Parish arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by La. R.S. 15:578, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies throughout Louisiana. These records typically include the following components:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and last known address.
Arrest Details: Date and time of arrest, location of arrest, arresting agency, name and badge number of arresting officer(s), and booking number.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Louisiana Revised Statute citations, classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor), and brief description of the alleged criminal conduct.
Case Processing Information: Court docket number (if assigned), bail amount, custody status, scheduled court appearances, and disposition of charges if resolved.
Biometric Data: Fingerprint classifications, photograph (mugshot) taken during booking process, and any identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions within the jurisdiction, if applicable and not subject to expungement.

Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:3, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including but not limited to: social security numbers, medical information, information related to ongoing investigations, and information that could compromise public safety if disclosed.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Landry Parish

The expungement process in St. Landry Parish is governed by La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995, which provides mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Expungement does not result in the destruction of records but rather restricts their availability to law enforcement and judicial authorities only.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in St. Landry Parish include:

Arrests that did not result in conviction (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976)
Misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period of five years with no intervening felony convictions (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 977)
Certain felony convictions after a waiting period of ten years with no intervening felony convictions (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978)
First-offense marijuana possession convictions (La. R.S. 40:966(E))
Successful completion of pre-trial diversion programs (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 893(E))

The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the St. Landry Parish District Court located at:

27th Judicial District Court
118 South Court Street
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 948-3041
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Filing fees for expungement petitions are established by La. R.S. 13:5554 and currently total $550, which includes processing fees for all agencies involved in the expungement process. Fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 983.

Upon granting of an expungement, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest or conviction, including the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, and FBI, are ordered to restrict access to those records in accordance with La. C.Cr.P. Art. 989.