>St. Tammany Parish Arrest Records Online

St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records

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

Arrest records in St. Tammany Parish are public documents pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be available for inspection by any person of the age of majority. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document all arrests within their jurisdiction.

The public nature of these records serves several governmental functions:

Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
Provides accountability for public officials
Facilitates informed civic participation
Supports public safety through awareness

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Louisiana law, particularly for records pertaining to juvenile offenders, ongoing investigations, and cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in La. R.S. 44:3. Additionally, records that have been expunged pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995 are removed from public access.

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

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest records through their official online platforms. The Sheriff's Office Criminal Records Department maintains a database of all warrants issued by the 22nd Judicial District Court, making these records accessible to the public via electronic means.

Online accessibility is governed by La. R.S. 44:31, which states that providing records in the medium requested is required when the public body regularly maintains records in that format. The Sheriff's Office has implemented digital systems that allow for:

Name-based searches of current inmates
Booking information for recent arrests
Status updates on individuals in custody
Warrant information for pending cases

Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, comprehensive records may require formal requests through the Sheriff's Records Division. According to departmental policy, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records in accordance with La. R.S. 44:3.

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

Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Tammany Parish have multiple methods available for obtaining this information. Each method varies in terms of comprehensiveness, processing time, and associated fees.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division
701 N. Columbia Street
Covington, LA 70433
Phone: (985) 809-8200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Individuals may request arrest records through the following methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division during business hours. Proper identification is required, and standard fees apply per La. R.S. 44:32.
Online Portal Access: The Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database accessible through their website. Users must register for an account and may be subject to verification procedures.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Division. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
22nd Judicial District Court Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Clerk of Court's online services.

Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C), the custodian may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Current fee schedules are posted at the Records Division and on the official website.

Contents of a St. Tammany Parish Arrest Record

St. Tammany Parish arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by La. R.S. 15:578 and departmental policies established by the Sheriff's Office. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and subsequent processing of individuals taken into custody.

A comprehensive arrest record typically contains:

Subject's full legal name and known aliases
Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer information
Statutory charges filed (Louisiana Revised Statutes citations)
Booking details and inmate identification number
Bond information and custody status
Court docket numbers and scheduled appearances

As documented in the Civil Rights Division's investigation findings, the St. Tammany Parish Jail maintains detailed intake records for all persons processed through their facility. These records are subject to regular audits as noted in the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's financial statements.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Tammany Parish

Louisiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may qualify for expungement in the following situations:

Arrests that did not result in prosecution (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976)
Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976)
First-offense misdemeanor convictions after prescribed waiting periods (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 977)
Certain felony convictions after cleansing periods (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 978)

The expungement process requires:

Filing a Motion for Expungement with the 22nd Judicial District Court
Payment of filing fees (approximately $550, subject to change)
Service of the motion to all relevant agencies
Attendance at a contradictory hearing if required
Issuance of an Order of Expungement if granted

Individuals with limited financial resources may seek assistance from the Louisiana Office of the State Public Defender regarding expungement proceedings. The St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office reviews all expungement applications and may file objections pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 980.

Upon successful expungement, records are removed from public access but may be retained by law enforcement agencies for internal use as permitted by statute. Expunged records cannot be used as predicate offenses for enhancement purposes in subsequent prosecutions.

Legal Considerations for Using Arrest Records

The utilization of arrest record information is subject to various legal restrictions under both state and federal law. Members of the public accessing these records should be aware of potential liability associated with improper use.

Key legal considerations include:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) restricts the use of arrest records for employment purposes if not resulting in conviction
Louisiana Employment Privacy Act (La. R.S. 23:291) limits employer inquiries regarding expunged records
Defamation claims may arise from publication of inaccurate arrest information
La. R.S. 44:32 prohibits requesting records for commercial solicitation purposes

Government agencies utilizing arrest records must comply with additional regulations:

Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy for interstate sharing
Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement standards for record maintenance
28 CFR Part 20 regarding dissemination of criminal history information
Constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure

Public access to arrest records does not constitute authorization to disseminate this information for commercial purposes or in a manner that violates individual privacy rights as established in federal and state jurisprudence.