Orleans Parish Arrest Records

In Orleans Parish, arrests are typically made when a law enforcement officer witnesses a crime being committed or has probable cause to believe that an individual is committing a crime. The arrest may also be executed if the officer has a warrant of arrest from the court.

Several criminal justice agencies in Orleans Parish maintain arrest records, including local police departments, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police. Arrested individuals are typically taken to the Orleans Parish Prison.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records in the parish. These arrest records are connected to Orleans Court Records, which provide further details on court cases and their resolutions.

Are Arrest Records Public in Orleans Parish?

Per the Louisiana Public Records Act, which states 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 access. Some examples of documents that may be exempted from disclosure include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Records whose disclosure may interfere with ongoing investigations
• Arrest records that reveal the identity of sexual offense victims
• Arrest records of pending criminal litigation
• Unconvicted Suspects’ arrest records
• Arrest records that are capable of violating a person's privacy or confidentiality.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Orleans Parish arrest records typically contain the following information.

• Name, race, and sex of the suspect
• Date and time of arrest
• Arrest location
• Suspect’s age and date of birth
• Charge(s) filed against the suspect
• Booking date, number, and release date
• The agency in charge of arrest
• Bond amount
• Arrest ID and case number

Orleans Parish Arrest Statistics

According to Louisiana Uniform Crime Report 2021, as released on May 1, 2023, arrests in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, totaled up to 72,219. Drug abuse arrests were the highest with 16,284, all other offenses 12,489, simple assault, 11,599, Lancery theft 9,348, with other arrests having their particular distribution.

Find Orleans Parish Arrest Records

Assessing Orleans Parish arrest records depends on the arresting law enforcement agencies, as various agencies have different access policies for arrest records. However, the following methods may be used to find Orleans Parish.

• Individuals may contact the law enforcement agency that made the arrest through an in-person inquiry, by mail, or by phone. Similarly, this applies to the Sheriff's Department and the country's attorney. Additionally, the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information may also be accessed.
• Individuals may also contact the custodial agency to ascertain the status of finding the specific arrest records they are looking for.
• Individuals may submit a request to the New Orleans Police Department by person or through mail. Such mail requests are completed by filling out the appropriate form available at the agency's Criminal History or Background Check Portal.

Note: Arrest records sometimes carry charges that must be paid before the arrest records are processed and made available. The fees and payment rules for the New Orleans Police Department are available here. Other law enforcement agencies have online portals where individuals may access records without charges.

Free Arrest Record Search in Orleans Parish

Most law enforcement agencies in Orleans Parish have online portals on their websites where individuals may conduct an arrest records search. For instance, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office may provide online access as well as the Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal District Court and the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. Court records may also be searched using the Criminal District Court Docket Master Search.

Orleans Parish Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Orleans Parish, an arrest record documents that an individual was arrested. It records the circumstances of the arrest, including information about the arrested individual, the incident, and the immediate result, whether the person was remanded or released. However, it does not imply guilt or a conviction.

On the other hand, criminal records are also referred to as “rap sheets,” which comprise police arrests, sex offenders’ listings, court conviction records, traffic violation tickets, parole information, and other filings of criminal implications. Components of a rap sheet are compiled from primary repositories of criminal information: police departments, sheriff offices, and courthouses across the state. Not all arrests result in criminal convictions, and only criminal records contain the outcomes of court cases, whether the sentence was a dismissal or conviction.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per Art. 978. of the Louisiana State Legislature, arrest records cease to exist only on the grounds of expungement as stipulated. Otherwise, they remain forever in an individual's record.

Expunge Orleans Parish Arrest Records

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 Orleans parish, an expungement may 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.

To expunge Orleans Parish Arrests Only – requesters may be eligible if they were arrested and charges were refused or were acquitted (i.e., a nolle prosequi was entered or the requester was found not guilty). To expunge this record:

• Go to the District Attorney’s Office (619 South White Street) to request a fee waiver certification. Bring a form of photo identification with you.
• Obtain a background check from Louisiana State Police or the Clerk of Court.
• Go to the Clerk of Criminal District Court’s Office (Room 210) to obtain an expungement packet and request pertinent documents from the court record. Packets may also be downloaded.
• Complete the packet and provide accurate contact information so you may be notified of your next court date. Attach the background check to the motion.

Only complete the expungement portion of the packet, not the Motion to Set Aside Conviction and Dismiss Prosecution.

If you need help filling out the packet, please see an attorney or contact the listed agency below.

Expungement Processing Fee:

The processing fee for an expungement is $550. The $550 fee must be paid in Room 104 at the time of the filing of the motion for expungement. The fee is NON-REFUNDABLE and should be made payable to the Clerk of Criminal District Court.

• Forms of payment: Cash, Money Order, Credit Card, or Cashier’s Check. No personal checks are accepted.
• For Arrests Only, fee waivers may be requested through the District Attorney’s Office.

Orleans Parish Arrest Warrants

Active arrest warrants in Orleans Parish are legal documents issued by a judge or magistrate that allow for the arrest of an individual in relation to a suspected crime. These warrants empower the local sheriff's office and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and detain a person for a specific period.

Do Orleans Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Arrest warrants do not expire. Instead, they remain active until executed or recalled by the issuing court.