>Union Parish Arrest Records Online

Union Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Union Parish, Louisiana?

Arrest records in Union 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 unless specifically exempted by law. The Louisiana Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within the parish.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or other sensitive information as provided for under Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:3. The custodian of records must provide a written explanation when denying access to any portion of an arrest record based on statutory exemptions.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Union Parish?

Union Parish arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with Louisiana's commitment to public information accessibility. The Union Parish Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows citizens to search for arrest information without physically visiting parish facilities. This online accessibility is authorized under La. R.S. 44:1, which recognizes electronic records as public documents subject to the same disclosure requirements as paper records.

Digital access to arrest records is provided as a public service, though users should be aware that online records may not always contain complete information. Some sensitive details may be omitted from online versions in compliance with privacy protections established under Louisiana law. For comprehensive arrest record information, individuals may need to supplement online searches with formal requests to the appropriate parish agencies.

How to Look Up Union Parish Arrest Records in 2025

Union Parish provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these documents:

Submit a formal public records request to the Union Parish Sheriff's Office located at 710 Holder Road, Farmerville, LA 71241. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (318) 368-3124.
Access the Union Parish Sheriff's Office online inmate search portal, which is updated regularly with current arrest information pursuant to La. R.S. 44:1.
File a request with the Union Parish Clerk of Court at 100 E. Bayou Street, Suite 105, Farmerville, LA 71241 for arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (318) 368-3055.
Utilize the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information for statewide arrest record searches, as authorized under La. R.S. 15:578.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. A reasonable fee may be assessed for document reproduction in accordance with La. R.S. 44:32, which permits charging for the actual costs of copying records.

Contents of a Union Parish Arrest Record

Union Parish arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 228. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Complete demographic information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s), including applicable Louisiana Revised Statute citations
Identity of the arresting agency and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs, fingerprint records, and unique booking identification numbers
Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts if established
Prior arrest history within Union Parish jurisdiction, when applicable
Case disposition information if available at the time of record creation

The comprehensiveness of arrest records is governed by Louisiana Administrative Code Title 22, Part III, Chapter 15, which establishes minimum standards for law enforcement record-keeping. These standards ensure consistency and thoroughness in documentation across all parish law enforcement agencies.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Union Parish

Louisiana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Union Parish under specific circumstances. Expungement procedures are governed by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-995, which establish eligibility criteria and application processes.

Individuals may petition for expungement in the following situations:

The arrest did not lead to a conviction
The case was dismissed or the charges were refused by the district attorney
The individual was acquitted following trial
The conviction was set aside and the prosecution was dismissed
The individual has completed a pre-trial diversion program
Sufficient time has elapsed following completion of sentence for qualifying misdemeanors (5 years) or felonies (10 years) with no intervening convictions

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Union Parish Clerk of Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must submit all required documentation and pay applicable filing fees as established under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 983. Current filing fees include $550 for expungements of felony arrests or convictions and $250 for misdemeanor expungements.

Upon approval, expunged records are removed from public access but remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain licensing boards as specified in La. C.Cr.P. Art. 973. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information maintains a confidential database of expunged records accessible only to authorized entities.

Limitations on Access to Certain Arrest Records

Union Parish observes statutory restrictions on the disclosure of certain categories of arrest records in accordance with Louisiana law. These limitations serve to protect privacy interests and prevent undue prejudice in specific circumstances.

Access restrictions apply to the following categories:

Juvenile arrest records are confidential pursuant to Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412, except under limited circumstances involving violent offenses
Records pertaining to arrests for which prosecution was declined by the district attorney after one year has elapsed (La. R.S. 44:9)
Records related to arrests for which the subject completed a pre-trial diversion program (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 893)
Information regarding victims of sexual offenses or domestic violence as protected under La. R.S. 46:1844
Records sealed by court order following successful expungement petitions

Law enforcement agencies and court personnel in Union Parish are required to review arrest records prior to disclosure to ensure compliance with these statutory protections. Unauthorized disclosure of protected arrest information may result in civil liability under La. R.S. 44:31 and potential criminal penalties under La. R.S. 44:37.