Ascension Parish Arrest Records

Ascension Parish arrest records contain information on individuals arrested by law enforcement authorities within the jurisdiction. Under the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 215.1, law enforcement officers in Ascension Parish are authorized to arrest individuals they see or suspect of engaging in criminal conduct. These activities are classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions, each with legal implications. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office must provide access to Ascension Parish Court Records upon request.

Law enforcement officers may make brief investigatory stops when they suspect an individual has been or is about to be engaged in criminal activity. The suspicion could be formed partly when an individual matches a detailed suspect description. This standard for a brief investigatory stop is less stringent than the probable cause needed before the suspect may be arrested.

When such a stop occurs, an officer may request the individual provide their name, address, and an explanation of their actions. The officer may detain the individual to investigate further the circumstances that stirred suspicion. If the officer has a reason to believe that the individual is armed and dangerous, they may perform a frisk of the individual’s outer clothing to search for weapons.

Following an arrest, the individual is brought to a local law enforcement facility where they are booked. This process involves collecting and documenting the individual’s personal identifying information, fingerprints, and a detailed statement of the suspected offense, which creates an official arrest report. Subsequently, the individual may be released on their own accord with a court appearance scheduled. Otherwise, they may be kept in custody until they appear before a judge.

Are Arrest Records Public in Ascension Parish?

Yes. According to the Louisiana Public Records Act, arrest records and other records maintained by government agencies are open to the public. Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, interested parties may examine them. In addition, government agencies within Ascension Parish must provide access to public records, including those maintained in electronic format.

However, criminal investigation records and intelligence information records are not public records. Specific information about arrests, including the time, date, location, and nature of the violation, as well as the name, sex, age, address, employment, and alleged violation of law by a person arrested, charged, or indicted, is considered public information.

The public does not have access to the following information:

• Personal information that might help identify victims of sex crimes or human trafficking.
• Information that may jeopardize persons' safety.
• Private information includes Social Security numbers and medical details.
• Details concerning active investigations or court proceedings that might jeopardize the judicial system.
• Information on confidential informants or witnesses that help law enforcement.
• Information that might make it harder for police officers to do their duties effectively.
• Juvenile arrest records are often kept secret.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Ascension Parish, Louisiana, law enforcement agencies promote civic involvement by upholding democratic values such as openness and accountability. They understand that an educated and involved populace is essential for successful law enforcement.

Arrest records usually contain essential information like:

• Arrestee's personal information, including name, date of birth, and physical description.
• A summary of the events surrounding the arrest.
• Information about the arresting officer.
• Fingerprints
• Allegations that are recorded against the arrested individual.
• Nature and amount of bail
• Date, time, and location of the arrest.

Ascension Parish Crime Rate

According to a 2019 report provided to the FBI's Universal crime reporting UCR database, the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office recorded three murders, 21 rape cases, 279 aggravated assaults, 37 robberies, and 260 burglaries. By contrast, in 2018, 31 robberies, 541 burglaries, 2170 larceny-theft offenses, 171 motor vehicle thefts, and four arson cases were recorded. There were also two murders, 14 rape cases, and 274 aggravated assaults, per the report. The reports above show increased crime in Ascension Parish in 2019 compared to 2018.

Ascension Parish Arrest Statistics

In 2023, the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office reported 4,449 arrests out of a total population of 131,632. This figure represented a rise in arrests from 4,227 in the previous year. The department recorded 5,268 warrants and issued 7,205 traffic citations during the same period. This was an uptick in warrants issued compared to the 5,783 warrants issued the previous year and 5,562 traffic citations.

Find Ascension Parish Arrest Records

The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Department provides a public service to individuals searching for arrest records. This allows the public to know whether someone has been arrested or if they have any outstanding arrest warrants in Ascension Parish. To utilize this service, requesters often must provide precise information about the arrestee, such as their full name, gender, race, and date of birth.

Interested individuals may visit the Ascension Parish Sheriff's official website or physically at:

828 South Irma Blvd
Gonzales, LA 70737

Free Arrest Record Search in Ascension Parish

Residents of Ascension Parish may seek arrest records under the Louisiana Public Records Act. To get these records, individuals must know which law enforcement agency was responsible for the arrest. They should also include information about the date, time, and place of the arrest. This service is free of charge. They will have to pay a charge if they need a copy of the record.

Local police departments and law enforcement organizations often make adult arrest information available to the public. Each agency may have its record retention schedule, which might impact the availability of certain arrest records.

Alternatively, people may use third-party public records databases. These databases are administered by private organizations and gather public information from various government sources, including law enforcement. The majority of these tools are free; however, there is a fee to acquire a complete report on a person's arrest.

Get Ascension Parish Criminal Records

In Ascension Parish, a criminal record, or a rap sheet, is a report containing the official record of a person's convictions for criminal offenses. It includes a summary of a person’s previous and active criminal convictions and specific information about the offender and the criminal charges.

The following information is contained in criminal records:

• Subject’s full name or aliases
• Date of birth
• Physical descriptions
• Details of past arrests, if any.
• Pending charges
• Past or current warrants
• Photograph
• Conviction status
• Post-conviction status

Ascension Parish criminal records are open to the public under Louisiana law. Interested and eligible persons may access the Ascension Parish criminal records via the Ascension Parish online portal or visit the Clerk of the Ascension Parish Court during office hours at:

Ascension Parish Clerk
Gonzales branch
607 E Worthey St Gonzales
LA 70737

Or

Ascension Parish Clerk
Donaldsonville branch
300 Houmas St. Donaldsonville,
LA 70346

Ascension Parish Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

The words "arrest record" and "criminal record" are often misconstrued. In the criminal justice system, there is a considerable difference. An arrest record is a record of law enforcement's arrest of a person, with no assumption of guilt or future conviction. The mere presence of an arrest record does not imply criminal guilt since charges might be withdrawn or dismissed later.

In contrast, a criminal record is a detailed, official document that lists an individual's criminal offenses. This record includes the specifics of the offenses committed, the court's punishments, and any probationary terms. The seriousness of a criminal record stems from its long-term consequences for a person.

Arrest records are typically retained by the law enforcement department that made the arrest. They are often more accessible and less complicated than criminal records. However, the ease of access to arrest records does not negate their potential influence on a person's reputation.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Records?

Arrest records in Ascension Parish usually remain unless specifically expunged or sealed. When someone is arrested and charged, their criminal record is updated during the arraignment. The case's outcome is uncertain until the trial. Even if the accused is later exonerated or the accusations are dropped, the arrest record reflects the original charges.

Expunge Ascension Parish Arrest Records

Sometimes, individuals get into situations beyond their control, which may lead to arrests that don't always represent guilt. In light of this fact, the legislation has provisions that permit the expungement of certain criminal records.

Through the legal process of expungement, some criminal records may be successfully removed from the public record. It is essential for reducing the long-term effects of involvement with the criminal justice system. Individuals may be eligible for expungement in certain situations, such as first-time offenders, minor offenses, or cases where charges were dropped or a not-guilty decision was reached.

Not all offenses qualify for expungement, and it is not a procedure that happens automatically. Petitioners must prove to the judge that they are compliant with the law and that it would be in the public interest to have their records expunged. The court has discretion when it comes to approving these petitions.

In Ascension Parish, the expungement procedure entails filling and submitting an expungement form to the court of conviction. The specifics of the offense and the petitioner's criminal history must be included in this petition. Petitioners must provide certified copies of their criminal histories and other legally mandated documentation.

Ascension Parish Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a court order issued by a judge or magistrate based on probable cause. This order authorizes law enforcement agents to apprehend and bring the named individual to court to answer a criminal charge. Failure to comply with such a warrant may be deemed contempt of court.

Law enforcement must gather substantiating evidence demonstrating probable cause to get an arrest warrant. This evidence bundle is then given to a prosecution attorney for review. The prosecutor evaluates the evidence's sufficiency based on legal standards. If the prosecutor determines that the probable cause standard has been satisfied, they submit a formal complaint or sworn document with the court, requesting the issuing of an arrest warrant. The presiding judge then goes over the submitted materials. If the judge decides that probable cause has been satisfactorily proved, he or she will issue the warrant. After being issued, the warrant is entered into law enforcement information systems. Officers may then proceed to make an arrest.

An Ascension Parish arrest warrant usually contains the following:

• Identification of the charged person.
• A brief description of the act for which the person is charged.
• Designation of the section of the criminal code under which the person is charged
• A precise description of the reasons for the issuance of the warrant

Ascension Parish Arrest Warrant Search

Outstanding warrants in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, are generally public. Residents may access them through various avenues. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division has a list of high-priority warrants that individuals may request in person. They must present a government-issued ID to verify their right of access.

Alternatively, the clerk of the court's office keeps records of active warrants. These may be checked online or in person. Occasionally, requesters must fill out a search form with information such as the individual's first and last names, date of birth, and other relevant information. Having this information readily available beforehand may speed up the search process. Otherwise, individuals looking for arrest warrants may check the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office website to use the Ascension Parish Warrant lookup tool to search for an arrest warrant by name.

Do Ascension Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants have no expiry date. Once issued, a warrant remains enforceable until the individual is arrested, a judge cancels it, the charges are dropped, or the person passes away.

Should the individual slip away from law enforcement for a while, they would eventually be apprehended whenever they contact law enforcement. This is a crucial aspect of record keeping. The information is entered into a national database.