Arrests.org LA – Louisiana Arrest, Inmate & Mugshot Records

Arrests.org LA functions as a primary digital entry point for citizens locating Louisiana arrest records and jail rosters. This search term connects users directly to detention data managed by parish sheriffs and city police departments throughout the state. Louisiana law mandates that these files remain open for public inspection, allowing anyone to view booking logs, charges, and custody status. Transparency in the justice system relies on this open availability of data. Residents use these tools to check on family members, review neighborhood safety, or screen potential associates. The system pulls data from local databases, presenting it in a centralized format for easier viewing.

The state divides its law enforcement duties among 64 parishes. Each parish maintains its own jail and booking system. Arrests.org LA aggregates this scattered data, but official verification always requires checking the specific parish sheriff’s website. A record typically appears online within 24 hours of a booking. The file includes the suspect’s name, the alleged offense, the bond amount, and the booking photo. These details help build a complete picture of the incident. Privacy laws protect some specific data points, but the core arrest log remains a public document.

To perform a successful search, you need the subject’s full name and the parish where the incident occurred. Without the parish name, locating the correct file becomes difficult due to the lack of a single, real-time statewide database for pre-trial detainees. State prisons maintain a central list, but parish jails operate independently. This page details every step required to locate these files, interpret the legal codes, and correct any errors found in the reports.

Louisiana Public Records Law and Open Access

The foundation of record availability in Louisiana sits on Title 44 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. This set of laws declares that records generated by public bodies, including police departments and sheriff’s offices, belong to the people. Any person of the age of majority may request to view or copy these documents. The law does not require you to state a reason for your request. You simply ask for the document, and the agency must provide it within a reasonable time frame, usually three business days.

Title 44:1 defines a public record broadly. It includes books, records, writings, accounts, letters, and photographs used in the conduct of public business. Arrest reports fall squarely into this category. When an officer books a suspect, that action is public business. The initial police report, the booking sheet, and the jail roster entry are all accessible under this statute. Agencies cannot deny a request just because the data might be embarrassing to the subject.

Exceptions to Public Availability

Louisiana law places strict limits on certain types of files. Title 44:3 outlines specific exemptions where the right to privacy outweighs the public’s right to know. You cannot view records involved in a pending criminal litigation if the release would compromise the case. This means if a detective is still interviewing witnesses or collecting physical evidence, the detailed investigative report remains closed. Only the initial arrest report—the facts of the booking—stays open.

Juvenile records receive the highest level of protection. The Louisiana Children’s Code mandates that all files concerning anyone under 17 years old stay sealed. You cannot search for these on Arrests.org LA or any official sheriff’s site. The law aims to prevent a mistake made in youth from destroying a person’s future prospects. Only judges, prosecutors, and guardians may view these files. Even if a juvenile commits a serious felony, the record remains private until a judge decides to transfer the case to adult court.

Identities of sexual assault victims also remain confidential. Statutes prohibit the release of names, addresses, or any data that could identify a survivor of a sex crime. This protection encourages victims to come forward without fear of public exposure. Police redact these details from any report released to the media or the public. Confidential informants also receive protection. If a person provides tips to the police under a promise of anonymity, the agency will redact their name from all documents.

Locating Inmates: The Search Process

Locating a person in custody requires a systematic approach. You must determine the level of custody. A person just arrested sits in a parish jail or city lockup. A person serving a long sentence for a felony resides in a state prison. The search tools differ for each scenario.

Parish Jail Rosters

Most arrests in Louisiana result in booking at a parish prison. The Sheriff of each parish manages these facilities. For example, if the New Orleans Police Department arrests someone, they transport the suspect to the Orleans Justice Center, run by the Orleans Parish Sheriff. To view the record, you must visit the Sheriff’s website. Most Sheriffs provide an online “Inmate Roster” or “Docket Search.”

Enter the last name of the subject. The system returns a list of matches. Click on the name to view the full booking sheet. This sheet lists the charges, the bond amount, and the court date. If the Sheriff does not have an online tool, you must call the jail directly. Have the person’s full name and date of birth ready. The booking officer on the phone can confirm if the person is in the facility.

City Police Holding Facilities

Some smaller cities maintain their own holding cells for minor offenses or pre-transfer custody. A person arrested for public intoxication or a traffic violation might stay in a city jail for 24 to 48 hours. If you cannot locate the person in the parish jail, check the city police department in the town where the incident happened. These smaller facilities rarely have online rosters. A phone call to the desk sergeant is the most effective method to get data.

State Prison Inmate Locator

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DOC) manages state prisons. These facilities house inmates sentenced to hard labor or terms longer than a few months. The DOC provides a robust online tool called the “Offender Locator.” You can search by name or DOC number. This system shows the inmate’s current location, their projected release date, and their parole status. It serves a different purpose than Arrests.org LA, which focuses on recent bookings.

Data Fields in an Arrest Report

When you view a record on Arrests.org LA or a sheriff’s site, you see specific data points. Knowing what each field means helps you interpret the file correctly. The layout varies by parish, but the core data remains consistent.

• Booking Number: A unique string of digits assigned to this specific arrest event. Use this number when contacting the jail or a bail bondsman. It identifies the file instantly.
• Statute Code: The specific law the person allegedly violated. It often looks like “14:35” (Simple Battery). You can look up these codes in the Louisiana Revised Statutes to read the exact definition of the crime.
• Bond Type: This field indicates how the person can leave jail. “Cash Only” means you must pay the full amount. “Surety” means you can use a bail bondsman. “ROR” means Release on Own Recognizance, requiring no money.
• Arresting Agency: The department that made the stop. This tells you which police force handled the incident, such as the Louisiana State Police or a local marshal.
• Booking Date and Time: The exact moment the jail processed the paperwork. This starts the clock for the 72-hour hearing requirement.

Arrest Records vs. Criminal Convictions

A major confusion exists between an arrest record and a criminal conviction. They represent different stages of the justice system. An arrest record proves only that a police officer had probable cause to detain a person. It does not prove guilt. A person can have an arrest record even if the District Attorney drops all charges the next day. The record of the booking remains on file unless expunged.

A criminal conviction occurs only after a court finds the defendant guilty. This happens through a plea deal or a trial verdict. A conviction record lists the sentence, the fine, and the probation terms. Background checks for employment often look for convictions, but arrest records still appear. You must read the report carefully. If the disposition column says “Pending,” the case is active. If it says “Nolle Prosequi,” the prosecutor dropped the case. If it says “Acquitted,” a jury found the person not guilty.

Arrests.org LA displays booking data. It does not always update to show the final court outcome. You might see a mugshot for a charge that was later dismissed. To get the final disposition, you must check the Clerk of Court records in the parish where the case was heard. The Clerk maintains the official minute entries of the courtroom proceedings.

Mugshot Regulations and Privacy (House Bill 729)

Louisiana recently updated its laws regarding the release of mugshots. House Bill 729, now law, restricts the release of booking photos for non-violent offenses. Police can no longer release mugshots to the media or post them online for minor crimes unless the person is a fugitive or presents an imminent danger. This law aims to protect the reputation of people not yet convicted of a crime.

For violent felonies, sex offenses, and crimes against children, the mugshot remains public. Sheriffs can still post these images on their rosters. Third-party sites that scrape data might still display older mugshots or photos obtained before the law changed. If a website charges a fee to remove a mugshot, this practice is illegal in many jurisdictions. You should report such demands to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

If you were arrested for a non-violent crime and your photo appears on a sheriff’s social media page, you have the right to request its removal. The agency must comply if the release violates the new statute. This shift in policy reflects a growing recognition that a digital image can harm employment prospects long after the legal case ends.

The Expungement Process in Louisiana

A permanent record can block access to jobs, housing, and loans. Louisiana offers a legal remedy called expungement. This process removes the record from public view. It does not destroy the physical file, but it sequesters it. Only law enforcement and licensing boards can see an expunged record. The general public, including landlords and most private employers, will see a blank result when they search.

Eligibility for Expungement

You can file for expungement if the District Attorney dismissed your charges. You can also file if the time limit for prosecution expired. If you went to trial and received a “Not Guilty” verdict, you qualify immediately. The process is free for verified acquittals.

For convictions, the rules are stricter. You can expunge a misdemeanor conviction five years after you complete your sentence. You must have no new felony convictions during that waiting period. For felonies, you must wait ten years after completing your sentence. This includes parole and probation time. You cannot expunge sex offenses or crimes of violence. The law treats these as permanent public safety concerns.

Steps to File an Expungement

The process involves precise paperwork. You must obtain a specialized form called a “Motion for Expungement.” You file this with the Clerk of Court in the parish of conviction. The steps are rigid:

• Get a Background Check: Go to the Louisiana State Police headquarters or a local fingerprinting office. Request a certified copy of your rap sheet. This document must accompany your motion. It ensures you list every charge correctly.
• Fill Out the Motion: Complete the motion forms. List the docket number, the arrest date, and the specific charges. Any error here will cause the judge to reject the application.
• Pay the Fees: Expungement is expensive. The total cost is roughly $550. This splits between the State Police ($250), the Sheriff ($50), the District Attorney ($50), and the Clerk of Court ($200). These fees are non-refundable.
• Serve the Agencies: The Clerk will send copies of your motion to the DA, the Sheriff, and the State Police. These agencies have 60 days to object. They will check their records to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Attend the Hearing: If an agency objects, the judge sets a hearing date. You must attend and argue why you deserve the expungement. If no one objects, the judge may sign the order without a hearing.
• Process the Order: Once signed, the Clerk sends the order back to the agencies. They must then remove your name from their public databases. This final step can take several months to reflect in all systems.

Warrants: Bench vs. Arrest

Searching for warrants is different from searching for arrest records. A warrant authorizes police to arrest you. An arrest record documents that they already did. Two main types of warrants exist in Louisiana.

Bench Warrants are the most common. A judge issues these when you fail to appear for court. If you miss a traffic ticket hearing or a status conference, the judge issues a bench warrant. This allows police to arrest you during a traffic stop. You can often resolve a bench warrant by paying a fee or rescheduling the court date.

Arrest Warrants are more serious. A detective obtains these after presenting evidence to a judge. The warrant claims probable cause exists that you committed a specific crime. Police will actively look for you. You cannot simply pay a fee to clear an arrest warrant. You must turn yourself in and go through the booking process.

To check for warrants, look at the “Warrant Search” section on the parish sheriff’s website. Not all parishes publish this list online. If you suspect you have a warrant, contact a defense attorney. They can call the Sheriff’s office on your behalf without risking your immediate arrest.

Bail and Bond Procedures

After an arrest, the magistrate sets bail. This is a financial guarantee that you will return to court. The amount depends on the severity of the crime and your flight risk. Louisiana uses a specific schedule for common crimes, but judges have discretion.

• Cash Bond: You pay the full amount to the Sheriff. The court holds this money until the case ends. If you show up to all dates, you get the money back, minus a small administrative fee.
• Commercial Surety (Bail Bondsman): You pay a percentage, usually 12%, to a private company. The company puts up the rest. You do not get this 12% back. It is the fee for their service. If you skip town, the bondsman will hire bounty hunters to return you to jail.
• Property Bond: You put up real estate worth the value of the bond. This requires a property assessment and paperwork at the Clerk’s office. It is a slow process but avoids cash payments.
• Personal Surety: A judge releases you on your signature. You promise to return. This is common for first-time non-violent offenders.

Parish-Specific Search Resources

Louisiana has 64 parishes. Each operates independently. Below is a list of major parishes and the specific methods to retrieve their data. You must contact the specific office holding the prisoner.

Federal Arrest Records in Louisiana

Federal crimes fall under a different jurisdiction. If the FBI, DEA, or ATF arrests someone in Louisiana, they go to a federal holding facility. Parish sheriff sites will not list these inmates. You must use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator. This covers federal detention centers in Oakdale and Pollock.

Federal records follow the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). They are public, but the process to get them is slower. The BOP website updates daily. It lists the register number, age, race, and release date. It does not list the specific charges. To see the charges, you must access the PACER system, which holds federal court documents. PACER requires a registered account and charges a fee per page viewed.

Victim Notification Systems (LAVNS)

Louisiana operates a statewide system to keep victims safe. The Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS) links to parish jails and state prisons. Victims can register their phone number or email address against a specific inmate. When that inmate moves, gets released, or escapes, the system triggers an alert.

This service is free and anonymous. The inmate does not know you registered. It provides peace of mind and allows victims to create safety plans. You can register online or by calling the toll-free LAVNS line. This system updates in near real-time, pulling data feeds directly from the jail management software.

Correcting Inaccurate Records

Mistakes happen. A clerk might type a name wrong, or an identity thief might use your name during an arrest. If you find an error on your record, you must act fast. Contact the Record Division of the arresting agency. Bring proof of your identity, such as a driver’s license and birth certificate. If the error involves a case disposition, bring a certified copy of the court minutes showing the dismissal or acquittal.

For identity theft issues, you might need to submit fingerprints to prove you are not the person in the mugshot. The Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information handles these disputes at the state level. They can flag your file so that future background checks show the distinction between you and the criminal offender.

Strategic Considerations for Employers and Landlords

If you use arrest records to screen tenants or employees, you must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This federal law regulates how you use background data. You must get written consent from the applicant before running the check. If you deny them based on the report, you must provide them with a copy and a chance to dispute it.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) warns against using arrest records as an absolute bar to employment. Because an arrest is not a conviction, rejecting a candidate solely on an arrest might violate civil rights laws. You should look for convictions and consider the nature of the job. A theft arrest matters for a bank teller job but might not matter for a construction job. Always weigh the data carefully.

Official Contact Data for State Repository

For the most accurate criminal history data, contact the central state repository. They maintain the master database for Louisiana.

Louisiana State Police
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
7919 Independence Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 925-6095
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

The section below addresses common concerns related to Arrests.org LA, focusing on data accuracy, update timing, and reliability. Readers often compare third-party arrest record platforms with official parish sheriff or police department websites. The explanation provided here clarifies how information is collected, why delays may appear, and why official sources remain the best reference point for confirmation.

How accurate is the data on Arrests.org LA compared to official sheriff websites?

Third-party aggregators like Arrests.org LA scrape data from official sources. While usually accurate, they experience lag times. A sheriff’s website updates instantly when an inmate bonds out or transfers. The aggregator might take 24 hours or more to reflect that change. Furthermore, if a record is expunged, the official site removes it immediately. Third-party sites might not receive the removal order and could display the record longer. For legal reliance, always verify the data with the primary source—the parish sheriff or city police department that handled the booking.

Can I view the police report narrative online?

No, the detailed police report narrative is rarely available online. The online record typically shows the “booking sheet,” which lists the name, date, and charges. The narrative, which describes the officer’s observations and witness statements, is an investigative document. To get this, you must submit a formal public records request to the agency’s records division. They may redact sensitive details before releasing it. If the case is active, they will deny the request entirely until the investigation concludes.

What does it mean if the release date says “Indefinite”?

An “Indefinite” release date usually means the inmate has not yet posted bond or has not yet seen a judge for sentencing. In the pre-trial phase, a person stays in jail until they pay the bail amount. If they cannot pay, they stay until the trial ends. For sentenced inmates in state prison, “Indefinite” might appear if they are serving a life sentence or if the parole board has not yet set a release date. It simply indicates that no scheduled release is currently on the calendar.

Does a “Nolle Prosequi” disposition remove the arrest record?

No. “Nolle Prosequi” means the prosecutor decided to drop the case and not pursue charges. However, the record of the arrest itself remains on your file. The police still took you into custody, and that event happened. To remove the arrest record from public view after a Nolle Prosequi, you must file a motion for expungement. Since the case resulted in a non-conviction, you are eligible to file immediately, and the process is often smoother than expunging a conviction.

Why can I find the arrest record but not the mugshot?

Louisiana law (House Bill 729) now restricts the public release of mugshots for non-violent offenses. If the arrest was for a minor crime like trespassing or shoplifting, the sheriff’s office might list the booking details but withhold the photo. This protects the privacy of individuals who are not threats to public safety. If the arrest was for a violent crime, a sex offense, or a fugitive warrant, the mugshot should still be visible. If a mugshot is missing, it is likely due to these statutory privacy protections.

How do I find out if a specific inmate has been transferred to another facility?

Inmates move frequently. A person might start in a city jail, move to a parish prison, and then transfer to a state DOC facility. If a name disappears from a parish roster, check the Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC) offender locator. This tool tracks inmates in state custody. You can also register with LAVNS (Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System). This system sends an automated text or email whenever the custody status of a specific inmate changes, including transfers between facilities.

Is there a fee to search for arrest records online in Louisiana?

Searching official government websites is almost always free. Parish sheriffs and the DOC provide these lookup tools as a public service. You should not pay to view a basic roster. However, if you need certified copies of court documents or detailed background checks from the State Police, you will pay a processing fee. Third-party websites often charge subscription fees to view detailed reports or to search nationwide databases. For a simple Louisiana arrest check, stick to the free official parish sites.