DeSoto Parish Arrest Records

In DeSoto Parish, a consequence of committing or being suspected of committing a crime is the possibility of arrest. Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure (CCRP) Art 201 defines an arrest as taking a person into detention with or without restraint. Generally, most arrests in DeSoto Parish are made by peace officers either with a warrant or without one in specific scenarios outlined in CCRP Art 213. Some scenarios where peace officers can make an arrest without a warrant include when an individual commits an offense in the officer's presence or when the officer has reasonable cause to believe that an offense was committed.

After an arrest, the arresting agency generates and maintains a DeSoto Parish arrest record documenting pertinent information about the arrest. These records are usually reported to different federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies and are used in various capacities by these agencies. Some examples of how arrest data are used include compiling an individual’s criminal history within a specific region, initiating criminal proceedings, and generating crime statistics for an area. As a result, arrest data is typically found in different records, including DeSoto Parish Court Records, criminal records held by the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, and FBI crime statistics.

Are Arrest Records Public in DeSoto Parish?

Yes, The Louisiana Public Records Law establishes the public’s right to access certain records preserved by government agencies, including arrest records, except in cases permitted by law. Thus, anyone can query DeSoto Parish law enforcement agencies to access or request copies of the arrest records they maintain. Nonetheless, RS §44:3 highlights cases where public access to records of law enforcement agencies, including arrest records, may be restricted. These include, but are not limited to:

• Juvenile records
• Records connected to pending litigation
• Records that reveal a sexual offense victim's identity
• Records of status offenders as defined in the Children's Code
• Records that reveal the identity of confidential sources of information

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public DeSoto Parish arrest records typically include the following details:

• The arrestee’s full name
• The arrestee’s physical description:
  • Age
  • Race
  • Height
  • Weight
  • Gender
  • Eye and hair color
• Arrest details such as the arresting agency and arrest location
• Charge(s)
• Booking date, time, and number
• Bail or bond information (if applicable)

DeSoto Parish Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer website’s arrest statistics, 376 arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies in DeSoto Parish in 2023, a significant increase of approximately 71% from the previous year. Of the 2023 total, male and female arrestees accounted for 75.8% (285) and 24.2% (91) of the arrests, respectively. Meanwhile, juvenile and adult arrestees comprised 83.24% (313) and 16.76% (63) of the total arrests, respectively. Furthermore, drug possession offenses, with 112 arrests, were among the leading causes of arrest in 2023.

Note that the above arrest statistics only reflect arrests made by the De Soto Parish Sheriff's Office and the Mansfield Police Department.

Find DeSoto Parish Arrest Records

Most DeSoto Parish arrest records are generated by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Parish Sheriff’s Office and Municipal Police Departments, after they make arrests. Thus, requests for DeSoto Parish arrest records can be directed to local law enforcement agencies operating within the parish.

Record seekers must identify the agency responsible for the arrest record they seek to direct their request appropriately. This may be the local police department of the municipality where the arrest occurred or the Parish Sheriff’s Office. Most agencies accept in-person requests for arrest records that they maintain. Interested persons can also contact relevant agencies to determine whether they accept other request methods, such as over the phone or mail-in requests. However, inquirers must provide information about the desired arrest record, such as the arrestee’s name, location, or arrest date, to facilitate their request. These details will assist the record custodian in efficiently identifying the desired record.

In cases where the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is responsible for an arrest, record seekers can obtain the arrest record by visiting the sheriff’s office during regular business hours to request it in person. Alternatively, interested individuals can utilize the agency’s Public Records Request form to request records via mail or email. The physical address and contact information of the sheriff's office are provided below:

205 Franklin St,
Mansfield, LA 71052
Phone: (318) 872-3956

Meanwhile, if a local police department was responsible for making an arrest, record seekers can contact the specific agency to obtain the arrest record. For instance, if the Mansfield Police Department made the arrest, interested people can review the Weekly Arrest Reports on the agency’s website to find public arrest information. Alternatively, they can contact the agency to request the arrest record.

Mansfield Police Department
700 Franklin Street
Phone: (318) 872-0520
Fax: (318) 872-0539

Free Arrest Record Search in DeSoto Parish

Some law enforcement agencies in DeSoto Parish provide online resources that individuals can search for and find public arrest information at no cost. A good example is the Inmate Roster provided by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, which allows users to search for and access public arrest and booking details of the inmates at the DeSoto Parish Detention Center.

Some third-party websites also provide public DeSoto Parish arrest information for free. These websites are typically searchable by subject name or case number. However, while basic arrest information may be free on most third-party sites, access to comprehensive arrest records usually incurs a charge.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In DeSoto Parish, arrests remain on an individual’s criminal record indefinitely. Individuals may only remove arrests from their records by requesting record expungement.

Expunge DeSoto Parish Arrest Records

According to LA. CCRP Art 972, expungement refers to removing a record of arrest, conviction, photographs, fingerprints, disposition, or other information from public access. Expungement does not imply the destruction of a record, per LA. CCRP Art. 973. Instead, it makes the affected record confidential and unavailable to the public while still accessible to criminal justice agencies and other eligible persons, such as prosecutors, judges, or individuals with a court order. Under Louisiana law, only DeSoto Parish arrest records that meet specific eligibility criteria may be expunged. These include:

• Arrests that did not result in a conviction (CCRP Art 976)
• Arrests for a misdemeanor offense under CCRP Art. 977
• Arrests for a felony offense under CCRP Art. 978
• The arrestee is entitled to a first-offender pardon for the offense per the Constitution of Louisiana, Article IV, Section 5(E)(1). Provided the offense is not a violent crime (per R.S. 14:2(B)) or a sex offense (according to R.S. 15:541).

In DeSoto Parish, individuals with eligible arrest records can request record expungement through the Parish Clerk of Court's office. The clerk's office provides an expungement packet that contains information about the expungement procedures and the required expungement request form. Note that expungement requests are subject to specific fees, which include:

• $200.00 to DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court.
• $50.00 to DeSoto Parish District Attorney.
• $50.00 to DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office.
• $250 to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information/Louisiana State Police.
• $50.00 to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections/Office of Motor Vehicles (for DWI convictions only)

These fees are payable by money order or cashier’s check. Applicants must also submit a recent copy of their criminal history record (not less than 60 days old) obtained from the Louisiana State Police. After receiving the necessary documentation and fees, the DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court will notify the arresting agency, the DeSoto Parish District Attorney, and the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information of the expungement request. Under CCRP Art. 980, these agencies and offices have 60 days to file an objection to the request. If any objections arise, a hearing will be scheduled; otherwise, the preceding court will grant the request and issue an expungement order.

If the expungement request gets approved, the court clerk will forward the order to relevant agencies and offices, including the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s office. Generally, the expungement process can take up to six (6) months or longer.

DeSoto Parish Arrest Warrants

A DeSoto Parish arrest warrant is a court order that directs peace officers to locate and arrest a specific individual. Per CCRP Art. 202, any magistrate may issue an arrest warrant upon receiving a complaint accusing a person of committing an offense, provided they believe there is sufficient probable cause that the warrant’s subject committed the offense. According to CCRP Art. 203, a DeSoto Parish arrest warrant must be in the name of the state of Louisiana and in writing. It must also contain the following information:

• The date and parish or municipality of issuance
• The name of the prospective arrestee or any name or description that can be used to identify them with reasonable certainty
• A description of the offense for which the prospective arrestee is being charged.
• The signature of the issuing magistrate and their office title.

Individuals interested in finding arrest warrants can query local law enforcement agencies in DeSoto Parish, including the Parish Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments. Queries can be made in person at these agencies during regular business hours. To facilitate their request, inquirers must provide a name, warrant ID, or warrant date. For in-person queries, inquirers risk being arrested if an active warrant against them is discovered during their visit. Alternatively, an inquirer may hire a licensed attorney to search for warrants on their behalf.

Do DeSoto Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, According to CCRP Art. 205, an arrest warrant remains in effect until executed.