Jefferson Parish Arrest Records

Arrests in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, are made when law enforcement officers have probable cause that an individual has committed a crime or when a judge issues an arrest warrant. After an arrest, individuals are generally held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. The Correctional Center is primarily a pre-trial detainee prison and has a population of nearly 1,200 (including the intake booking section).

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO) is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for generating arrest records in the parish. These records form part of the larger public record system, which includes Jefferson Parish Court Records, making them accessible for various purposes such as background checks, legal proceedings, etc.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson Parish?

Yes, arrest records are public in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The availability of these records is mandated by the Louisiana Public Records Act, which asserts that records produced or received by any public body are open to the general public unless specifically exempted by law. Arrest records, as part of the public criminal justice process, are typically not exempt and thus accessible for public review.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

An arrest record in Jefferson Parish includes details about the arrest, such as the incident's date, time, and location. It also includes information about the arrested person, including their name, age, address, and any charges filed against them. An arrest record may include details about the arresting officer, the agency involved, and any bail or bond information.

Jefferson Parish Arrest Statistics

The criminal statistics published by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office report as of December 2023 show that the highest number of arrests were made for theft (6,125), which accounted for 68.89% of all arrests recorded in Jefferson Parish. Burglary accounted for 10.57% of crimes, assault 9.93%, and auto theft 6.51% of all arrests executed.

However, the statistics show a decline in the crime and arrest rate from the same period in 2022, with an 11.7% decrease in assault, 10.4% decrease in burglary, and 11.9% in theft. The incarceration rate is 468 per 100 people, with about 2070 imprisoned.

Find Jefferson Parish Arrest Records

Court-related documents are often under the control of the clerk of the parish court. Court-related documents for the parish District Court and Parish Courts, including case files, court hearing records, convictions, and court-imposed penalties, are kept here and can be requested by the public in person or by mail.

To obtain criminal court records, persons must supply enough information about the case to process the record request. Such information may include the case number, names of the people involved, date of the arrest or trial, name of the attending attorney or presiding judge, and the approximate filing date. Requesters must also pay fees for copying records and conducting online searches and downloads.

Also, these records can be requested online by interested persons. However, inquirers would need to present as much information as possible to locate the record or visit the Records and Report Section during work hours at:

Westbank Administration Complex
Building A,
1233 Westbank Expressway,
Harvey, LA 70058
Phone: (504) 363-5590 (Central Records)
Email: centralrecords@jpso.com
(Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Jefferson Parish arrest records may also be available at the Sheriff’s Office if this agency carried out the arrest. Otherwise, persons should direct requests to the specific arresting agency, noting that Jefferson's arrest records do not often contain disposition details and cannot be used to prove conviction.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jefferson Parish

Requesters can submit an open records request for other parish records. An open records request is an official request to view particular public government or agency documents. Records can also be requested through the Parish Attorney’s Office.

Jefferson Parish Attorney’s Office, East Bank
Joseph S Yenni Building
1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 701
Jefferson, LA 70123

Jefferson Parish Attorney’s Office, West Bank
Jefferson Parish General Government Building
200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5200
Gretna, LA 70053

Access to Jefferson Parish arrest records may be made convenient through third-party online platforms like Arrests.org LA. These platforms aggregate publicly available information from law enforcement agencies, allowing users to search for specific records by name, date range, or other identifiers. This accessibility streamlines the process for individuals conducting background checks, legal research, or personal inquiries.

Jefferson Parish Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office provides background check services for persons to obtain local criminal records. Jefferson Parish criminal records are official documents that summarize an individual's criminal history within the parish. These documents usually detail the subject’s arrest, prosecution, and conviction - if such records exist - and provide further information like:

• Subject’s name and age or birth date
• Subject’s physical description
• Arrest date and booking information
• Charges, statute description, and case type
• Court disposition

For Jefferson Parish criminal records, interested persons may make requests online by providing as much information as possible to locate the record or visit the Records and Report Section during work hours at:

Jefferson Parish arrest records may also be available at the Sheriff’s Office if this agency carried out the arrest. Otherwise, persons should direct requests to the specific arresting agency, noting that Jefferson's arrest records do not often contain disposition details and cannot be used to prove conviction.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever, unless you have it expunged, art. 978. of the Louisiana State Legislature provides grounds for which arrest records can be expunged.

Expunge Jefferson Parish Arrest Records

In Jefferson Parish, individuals may have the option to expunge their arrest records under certain conditions. Expungement refers to the legal process of removing an arrest record from public view. To qualify for expungement, the individual must meet specific criteria, such as the dismissal of charges, acquittal, or completion of a pretrial diversion program. The expungement process typically requires filing a petition with the court, and in some cases, a court hearing may be necessary to determine eligibility for expungement.

Typically, for Jefferson parish, an expungement can be granted if:

• The individual received a deferred sentence under Article 894 for a misdemeanor conviction or guilty plea and has successfully finished all of the requirements of the sentence.
• The individual received a deferred sentence under Article 893 for a felony conviction or guilty plea and has successfully finished all of the requirements of the sentence.
• The individual received a First Offender Pardon letter.

Generally, there is a waiting period of 5 years between expunging each misdemeanor conviction that was not deferred under Article 894. Id. However, the waiting period for expunging each arrest and conviction of a misdemeanor offense of driving while intoxicated is 10 years.

For a felony, the waiting period is 10 years from the date that the individual finishes the requirements of the sentence to file a motion to expunge. La. C.Cr.P. art. 978. Generally, the waiting period for expunging each felony is 15 years under Article 893. Id.

To process the expungement,

• First, the individual must obtain the Expungement Packet from the Clerk of Court Office. This can be found on the Clerk of Court website or in the Thomas Donelon Building, 200 Derbigny St., Suite 2400, Gretna, LA 70053
• Second, the individual will need to obtain a background check from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office located at 1233 Westbank Expressway, Bldg. A, Harvey, LA 70058.
• Third, the person will need to obtain any necessary letters from the District Attorney’s Screening Unit.
• Fourth, all paperwork must be filed with the Clerk of Court, including the expungement packet, background check, and any letters obtained from the District Attorney’s Office. The background check must be current within 30 days of filing for the expungement.

Jefferson Parish Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a court order that authorizes law enforcement agents to detain an individual suspected to be a criminal offender. To obtain an arrest warrant, law enforcement agents present evidence to show probable cause to apprehend the suspect. After reviewing the evidence before the court, a judge will grant an arrest warrant if the judge finds reasonable grounds for it.

Do Jefferson Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Warrants remain active until executed or recalled by the issuing court. A Jefferson Parish arrest warrant must be in writing and contain the nature of the offense, the suspect's name or a reasonable description of the subject of the warrant, the date the warrant was issued, and the judge's signature.