Grant Parish Arrest Records

The Grant Parish Sheriff's Office makes arrests when there is probable cause, such as a criminal investigation or criminal behavior. Following an arrest, the suspect is detained at the Grant Parish Detention Facility, and law enforcement records details surrounding the arrest. These arrest records are only one of several documents created when an individual becomes involved with the criminal justice system. If the arrest proceeds to arraignment and trial, additional information will be available in the Grant Parish court record associated with the case.

Are Arrest Records Public in Grant Parish?

Yes. Grant Parish arrest records are public records under the Louisiana Sunshine Act. As such, any Grant Parish resident may look up arrest records at the Sheriff's Office. However, sensitive personal information, such as body-cam footage, sealed records, sealed investigative files, and juvenile information is exempt from public access. This restriction also applies to juvenile records, ongoing investigations, and personal identifiers like Social Security numbers. For these records, only the record subjects and authorized persons may access their contents. Third parties would need to obtain an order from a court of competent jurisdiction to access restricted information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following details in arrest records are publicly available:

• Full name of the arrestee
• Date and time of arrest
• Location of arrest
• Booking photo (mugshot)
• Charges filed (including statute numbers)
• Arresting agency
• Bond amount (if applicable)
• Court date or docket information
• Case or arrest number
• Demographic details, such as age, gender, and race.

Grant Parish Arrest Statistics

Between 2021 and 2023, Grant Parish reported 187 arrests, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer. There were 32 arrests for "Drug Possession", 39 for Marijuana possession, and 54 arrests for "All Other Offenses (Except Traffic)".

Find Grant Parish Arrest Records

To obtain arrest records in Grant Parish, requestors may send a written request to the Sheriff's Office by mail.

Custodian of Records,
Grant Parish Sheriff's Office,
P.O. Box 187
Colfax, LA 71417.

The Sheriff's Office charges $35.00 for the first ten (10) pages and $1.00 for each additional page after that. Alternatively, requesters can use the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections Imprisoned Person Locator to look up state prisoners by name, ID, and birthday. The database is accessible via phone at (225) 383-4580 or through the online portal. For persons arrested by federal law enforcement agencies, their arrest/offender information is accessible via the FBI inmate locator.

Free Arrest Record Search in Grant Parish

The Louisiana Sunshine Act allows the public in Grant Parish to request arrest records from the local police departments. In most cases, the person requesting a record examination only is not charged. Some agencies offer online request centers or tools for free public arrest information in addition to in-person or walk-in requests.

Alternatively, interested persons may access arrest information on third-party websites. These service providers allow name-based record searches and are convenient for finding arrest information across jurisdictions. Searchers may access limited arrest information for free but for detailed results, most search sites will require a one-time payment or subscription.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Generally, records of a person's arrest remain in the public repository indefinitely unless sealed or expunged. Expungement typically applies to non-conviction arrests and other qualifying offenses following a waiting time permitted by state law.

Expunge Grant Parish Arrest Records

In Grant Parish, Louisiana, expunging an arrest record entails a court procedure that sequesters the record from the general public. If the expungement is granted by the court, the record is removed from background checks and public databases. Expunged records are not, however, erased. Law enforcement, courts, and some licensing or regulatory bodies can still access them.

To begin expungement, the arrestee must meet eligibility criteria outlined in Articles 971 through 992 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure. The statute also describes waiting periods depending on the offense. For misdemeanors, a 5-year waiting time applies. This waiting period is ten years for eligible non-violent felonies. The waiting period is ninety days for a first-time misdemeanor marijuana possession conviction.

Persons who meet the expungement requirement may then submit a Motion for Expungement to the Grant Parish Clerk of Court. The motion and any supporting documentation, such as a certified disposition of the case, must be submitted as part of the process. A $550 non-refundable fee applies ($250 to the Louisiana State Police, $200 to the local District Attorney's Office, $50 to the Clerk of Court, and $50 to the Sheriff's Office). The motion is evaluated once it is filed, and prosecutors or law enforcement may object. In this case, the court will hold a hearing for the motion for expungement.

Grant Parish Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant authorizes law enforcement officers in Grant Parish to detain an individual suspected of committing a crime. Arrest warrants are issued by courts of competent jurisdiction and the requesting officer must provide evidence showing probable cause. When a judge determines probable cause exists, typically after examining a sworn affidavit from an officer or complaint, the judge issues a warrant. Arrest warrants are frequently issued for violating court orders or criminal charges when a person is a principal suspect in an investigation.

Generally, an arrest warrant has the name of the suspect, the charges against them, the date of the offense (if known), and the signature of the issuing judge. The warrant is recorded in state and federal databases after it is signed, and it is valid until it is served or canceled by the court.

Do Grant Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

It depends. Once a judge issues a warrant, Grant Parish arrest warrants do not expire and are in effect until executed. In other words, an arrest warrant remains typically active until the subject is arrested, the warrant is revoked by the court, or otherwise recalled. Louisiana law does not impose an automatic time restriction or expiration. Nevertheless, the status of a warrant can be influenced by several factors:

• Offense type: Warrants for significant crimes (such as felonies) are seldom revoked unless they are settled in court.
• Law enforcement discretion: Older warrants for lesser offenses may be deprioritized, but they can still be executed.
• Defense appeal: A defense lawyer may submit an application to recall or revoke a warrant.