Lincoln Parish Arrest Records

Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, arrest records provide official details of those taken into custody by law enforcement agents. Under Art. 201 of the Louisiana Criminal Code of Procedure, law enforcement officers in Lincoln Parish may arrest anyone suspected of criminal activity. These acts—which carry different legal consequences—may be classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions. Detained persons are held at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office provides access to arrest records. These records may also form part of Lincoln Parish court records if the arrest leads to criminal proceedings.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lincoln Parish?

Yes. Louisiana's Public Records Law grants the public access to all forms of records created and maintained by government agencies while conducting the "people's business".

Consequently, citizens and non-citizens may tender requests to obtain copies of Lincoln Parish arrest records during official hours without specifying a reason for their application.

However, state law exempts specific arrest records from public disclosure to safeguard individuals’ privacy rights, ensure a fair and equitable justice/judiciary system, and protect the lives and safety of specific persons.

Arrest records exempted by the law include:

• Social Security, bank account, debit/credit card numbers, home addresses, phone numbers, and tax information.
• Records are restricted or sealed by the courts or state and federal laws.
• Information that may endanger the lives of peace officers, victims, witnesses, or confidential informants.
• Records relating to juvenile offenses
• Names, addresses, and photographs of child victims and witnesses

Requesters seeking open arrest records in Lincoln Parish may wish to contact the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office at:

Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office
Lincoln Parish Public Safety Complex
161 Road Camp Road
Ruston, LA 71270
Phone: (318) 251-5111
Fax: (318) 251-6478
Email: sheriff@lincolnparish.org

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2070
Ruston, LA 71273

Lincoln Parish Arrest Statistics

The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) released a five-year report that revealed the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office reported 1,910 arrests between 2019 and 2023. The gender distribution of the arrest data indicated that males constituted 75.92% (1,450) of all arrests within the period, while females accounted for 24.08% (460).

The racial composition of all arrests in the period under review showed that Blacks or African Americans were the predominant racial group arrested for various offenses, with 54.28% (1,0360. Others include Whites, persons whose racial identities were unknown, and American Indians or Alaska Natives, who accounted for 45.34% (866), 0.21% (4), and 0.16% (3) of all arrests, respectively. Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders constituted 0.05% (1).

A breakdown of the type of offenses law enforcement officers arrested suspects for between 2019 and 2023 showed that all other offenses aside from traffic were the most prevalent, with 20.21% (386), followed by possession of marijuana at 15.92% (304) and simple assault at 13.61% (260).

Find Lincoln Parish Arrest Records

Information seekers looking for Lincoln Parish arrest records at the state level may use the Imprisoned Person Locator tool on the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (LA DPS&C) website. The tool allows users to search by location, name, and ID/case number to find information about inmates under the LA DPS&C's custody.

Besides prisoners, the search engine provides information on individuals under probation or parole (community) supervision.

Alternatively, requesters may submit public record requests for non-classified inmate records to the following address:

La. Department of Public Safety and Corrections
Attn: Deputy Secretary’s Office
P.O. Box 94304
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Phone: (225) 342-6744
Fax: (225) 342-3095

Interested parties searching for Lincoln Parish offenders at the national level may use the Federal Inmate Locator tool to find the inmate.

Lincoln Parish Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest Records

Arrest records detail instances where law enforcement detained someone. These reports include the date of the arrest, the charges, the arresting agency, and bond details, if applicable.

Arrest records contain information about the arrest itself, not the outcome. Even if the individual is proven innocent or the charges are withdrawn, the arrest details remain on the person's record.

Criminal Records

Criminal records are more extensive than arrest records. They contain arrest information and details about charges, court proceedings, convictions, and sentences.

Criminal records capture an individual's complete criminal history, from arrests to final dispositions, such as convictions, acquittals, and dismissals.

These records offer a holistic view of an individual’s relationships with the criminal justice system.

In summary, arrest records focus on the preliminary incident where an individual was detained. In comparison, criminal records provide the total history of criminal activity, including the final resolution of any legal proceedings.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Lincoln Parish, an arrest record remains on an offender's criminal history forever unless they approach the courts for an expungement. However, there are conditions to seeking expungement.

Expungement Criteria

Individuals who had charges against them dismissed or were acquitted of such charges may file for expungement without undergoing any mandatory waiting period.

Those convicted of misdemeanor charges may file for expungement five years after finishing their sentence. This includes any probation or parole, and they must not have any new convictions during the waiting period.

Persons convicted of felonies may file for expungement ten years after they have completed their sentence, including any probation or parole. Also, they must not have any fresh convictions during the waiting period.

Exceptions

Offenses such as violent crimes and sex offenses do not qualify for expungement. Those with multiple felony convictions may also face further restrictions.

Lincoln Parish Arrest Warrants

In Louisiana, arrest warrants are official orders a judge grants law enforcement officers the authority to arrest someone accused of committing a crime.

In Lincoln Parish, like other parts of Louisiana, arrest warrants are usually issued after probable cause has been established. This means there must be a reasonable basis for believing that a crime has been committed and that the individual named in the warrant is responsible. To establish probable cause, law enforcement officers or prosecutors usually present evidence to a judge or magistrate, who then determines whether the evidence is sufficient to justify the issuance of a warrant.

Lincoln Parish arrest warrants may be issued when ample evidence links someone to an unlawful act if they do not appear for an expected court appearance or when an individual violates the terms of their probation.

Lincoln Parish arrest warrants typically comprise information on the identity of the person law officers are to detain, the suspected offense, the date and location of issuance, the signature of the issuing authority, and law enforcement directives related to the arrest.

Further details on the form, content, and issuance of Louisiana arrest warrants are outlined in CCRP 202 and 203 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Do Lincoln Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

Lincoln Parish arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active from the time they are issued until the court cancels them or the person identified on the warrant is caught. This includes misdemeanor and criminal warrants.