St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Arrest Records
An arrest record in St. Tammany Parish refers to a piece of information or detail about a detainee or the circumstances around their detention. These details are recorded by law enforcement agencies during the arrest process, which involves apprehending the suspect and detaining them at the parish jail. The details recorded include names, age, occupation, alleged charges, mugshots, details of the arresting agency, bail or bond details, and custody status.
Almost any one can use these pieces of information to locate and track a detainee's custody status as well as for background checks by licensing agencies, landlords, and employers. St. Tammany Parish arrest records are created and maintained primarily by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. This agency manages and provides public access to an updated roster of detained individuals according to the state's public records laws.
While arrest records are publicly accessible, complete criminal records are restricted and can be accessed through the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. Unlike the local arrest logs, criminal records require official records requests to the state agency. Arrest records can also be recorded and maintained by municipal agencies such as police departments. The Slidell Police Department and Mandeville Police Department serve the two largest cities in St. Tammany Parish and can maintain records of arrests executed by their officers. However, arrested individuals are usually transferred to the parish jail for booking and holding.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in St. Tammany, Louisiana?
Yes, St. Tammany Parish arrest records are publicly accessible documents according to the Louisiana Public Records Act. members of the public have a right to examine, copy, and reproduce records maintained by government agencies under Louisiana Revised Statutes 44:31. Government agencies are also expected to respond to records requests and make the records available right away if it is in active use or within a few business days if it isn't, according to Louisiana Revised Statutes 44:33. Members of the public can access these records using oral requests or simple inquiries at the sheriff's office or parish jail. Formal written requests are also accepted for requesters in far locations or with complex requests. There is no requirement to be a resident of Louisiana to access arrest records. Photo IDs are also not required except for the request is for a certified copy or when the requester is picking up copies.
What Do Public St. Tammany Parish Arrest Records Contain?
St. Tammany Parish arrest records contain details about arrests and the detained individuals. These details are usually public and private records used for administrative purposes by holding facilities and the sheriff's office. Here are some details contained in a public St. Tammany Parish arrest record:
- Booking date
- Booking number
- Name of detainees
- Arresting or investigating agency
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Alleged offenses or charges
- Bail or bond amount
- Custody status
While the above are publicly accessible arrest details, there are arrest details that are restricted from public access due to their sensitivity or for privacy protection. They include juvenile records, information about victims or confidential witnesses, and active investigation materials.
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Arrest Search
St. Tammany Parish arrest records can be searched through state resources and agencies, such as the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. These agencies accept written requests in person. Members of the public can also make basic inquiries in person or over the phone to the relevant agency or court clerk. The Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information maintains Louisiana's central criminal history repository. While this agency does not provide an online searchable platform, members of the public can request personal criminal history records using fingerprint searches. The courts in St. Tammany Parish also manage arrest records contained in criminal case files. Members of the public can approach the court clerk in person with details of a case to access the case file. The eClerks LA website provides online access to statewide and parish-specific court records. Requesters will be required to create an account to use this platform. The Federal Bureau of Investigation executes and manages records of arrests within federal jurisdiction. This agency maintains the Identity History Summary Check system, which uses fingerprints to search for arrest and conviction records. There is also a Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator, which can be used to search for individuals detained in federal facilities.
St. Tammany Parish Inmate Locator
St.Tammany Parish inmates can be found through the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. This office manages the St. Tammany Parish Jail, which houses detainees from arrests within the parish. Members of the public can approach the sheriff's office in person to make inquiries about an inmate's location. This can also be done over the phone by calling 985-898-2338 for the sheriff's office or the correctional center at 985-276-1000. The sheriff's office also maintains an Inmate Search platform, which allows searches using first & last names, booking date, and booking number. Members of the public can access the sheriff's office at:
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office
701 North Columbia Street, P.O. Box 11200
Covington, Louisiana 70433
985-809-8200 - Main line
985-898-2338 - Non-emergency dispatch
985-276-1000 - Correctional Center
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish arrest records can be accessed for free through the sheriff's office. This office allows walk-in requests and phone inquiries, which are suitable for simple requests. Basic requests made over the phone or in person are generally processed for free at the sheriff's office. There is also the online Inmate Roster, which provides updated access to the parish's inmate information. Individuals who prefer court records access can get free viewing of criminal case documents through the self-help terminals at the courthouses. Accessing arrest records through these free channels restricts the accessible details to public records only. Restricted and sealed records will not appear on free-to-use platforms. There is also no ID requirement to access arrest records through these free channels. Free-to-use resources are also restricted to active or recent arrest information. Older records require more formal access modes.
St. Tammany Parish Arrest Report
While St. Tammany arrest reports and arrest records might sometimes be grouped under the same umbrella, they do not entirely mean the same thing. Arrest records refer to the short summary entry generated during the booking process. This entry usually documents details like the charges, detainee's names, booking number, bail or bond information, arresting agency, and mugshots. This is a basic summary of the arrest situation and identity of the detainee, which is generally used for locating inmates and staying updated with their custody status.
An arrest report refers to the longer narrative document prepared by the arresting officer after the arrest is executed. This document contains an account of what happened, who was involved, and the evidence or statements that support the charge. These are separate documents that are accessed through different means. Arrest reports may require more formal requests, while an arrest record can be accessed using oral requests in person or over the phone.
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in St. Tammany Parish
Expungement of arrest and criminal records is allowed in St. Tammany, Louisiana. The expungement process involves the deletion of arrest records from all publicly accessible archives, which makes them inaccessible to the public. This means that the records will become nonexistent but remain accessible to courts, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies authorized to see them. Eligibility for expungement in St. Tammany Parish depends on the specifics of the case.
Arrests that did not lead to a conviction are generally easy to expunge as they have no further requirements and are automatically eligible. This means the case was dismissed, charges were dropped, or the case was resolved in favor of the defendant. Arrests that led to misdemeanor and felony convictions are also eligible for expungement after the waiting period, which depends on the level of offense. However, expungement of convictions can be done only once every 5 years. Louisiana laws also provide for offenses that do not qualify for expungement due to their severity. Such offenses include most crimes of violence and sex offenses.
After your eligibility is confirmed, file an expungement petition with the court that handled the original case, which is usually the District Court through the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court. After the petition is filed, the arresting agency, District Attorney's Office, and the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information will be notified and given an opportunity to object before the judge signs off on it without a hearing. After the expungement order is signed, the relevant criminal justice agencies are notified, and the record will be promptly deleted.
How Do You Remove St. Tammany Parish Arrest Records From the Internet?
You can remove an arrest record from the internet through removal requests and a court order. The first step is to obtain an expungement order from a District Court in St. Tammany Parish. After the court grants the expungement order, a certified copy is sent to the relevant criminal justice agencies, who remove the records from the online and offline platforms. In the case that a government agency delays the removal, you can obtain a certified copy of the order for service on the agency.
This also applies to third-party websites that generally do not get automatic notification of expungement orders. These websites are required to comply with regular requests for the removal of records. Some websites provide a record removal feature that allows you to make your removal request easily. Attaching a certified copy of the order will also help with making your request more important.