Arrest records in St. Martin 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 governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for public inspection. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and matters of public safety.
The St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures. The Louisiana Public Records Act mandates that custodians of public records shall present any public record to any person of the age of majority who so requests, subject only to the exceptions outlined in the statute.
Records maintained by the St. Martin Parish law enforcement agencies document arrests made within the parish jurisdiction, including those conducted by municipal police departments in Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, and other communities within the parish boundaries.
St. Martin Parish arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with Louisiana's commitment to governmental transparency. The St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides limited information regarding current inmates and recent arrests. This system is updated regularly to reflect the most current detention status of individuals processed through the parish correctional system.
Online access to these records is governed by La. R.S. 44:31, which states that providing access to public records is a responsibility of the custodian of such records. The statute further specifies that custodians may establish reasonable procedures for persons to examine and copy public records.
Users of online systems should be aware that:
The St. Martin Parish government website provides links to relevant agencies maintaining these records. Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Corrections offers limited information regarding individuals currently in state custody who were processed through St. Martin Parish facilities.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Martin Parish may utilize several methods established by parish authorities. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32, custodians of public records shall present any public record to any person of the age of majority who submits a request during regular business hours.
The primary methods for obtaining arrest records include:
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full legal name and, if possible, date of birth. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with La. R.S. 44:32(C), which permits custodians to establish and collect reasonable fees for making copies of public records.
For arrest records related to specific municipalities within St. Martin Parish, inquiries may also be directed to:
Breaux Bridge Police Department
101 Berard Street
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
Phone: (337) 332-2186
St. Martinville Police Department
120 New Market Street
St. Martinville, LA 70582
Phone: (337) 394-3001
St. Martin Parish arrest records contain standardized information as required by Louisiana law enforcement protocols and the Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions taken within parish jurisdiction. Pursuant to La. R.S. 15:578, criminal history record information shall be maintained by authorized agencies.
A standard St. Martin Parish arrest record typically contains:
The level of detail in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case and applicable privacy restrictions. Certain information may be redacted in accordance with La. R.S. 44:3, which provides exceptions for records containing confidential informant information, ongoing investigation details, and other sensitive data.
The St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records in compliance with the Uniform Crime Reporting standards established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and adopted by Louisiana law enforcement agencies.
Individuals seeking to expunge arrest records in St. Martin Parish must follow procedures established under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995. Expungement is the legal process by which an arrest record is removed from public access, though certain governmental agencies may retain limited access to expunged records.
Eligibility for expungement in St. Martin Parish is determined by several factors:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court at 415 St. Martin Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582. Petitioners must use forms prescribed by the Louisiana Supreme Court and pay applicable filing fees, which may be waived for indigent applicants. The current filing fee structure is established by La. R.S. 44:19.
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.
The St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court provides guidance on the expungement process, including required documentation and procedural steps. Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves multiple agencies and may take several months to complete.