Rapides Parish Arrest Records

In Rapides Parish, the Sheriff's Office, alongside municipal police departments, is responsible for making arrests and ensuring law and order. These law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest individuals suspected of committing crimes, either by obtaining a warrant from a court or when they have probable cause. Warrants are generally required unless the officer directly witnesses the crime or has sufficient reason to believe a suspect is involved in criminal activity. Arrests may also occur for violations of court orders issued by judges.

Upon arrest, individuals are taken to the Rapides Parish Detention Center, where they are booked. During the booking process, an arrest record is created, including the arrest's date, time, location, the individual's personal details, the nature of the alleged crime, and the collection of biometric data (e.g., fingerprints and mugshots). Law enforcement agencies maintain Rapides Parish arrest records. However, they may also be helpful for judicial processes, in which case they can be featured within Rapides Parish Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Rapides Parish?

Arrest records in Rapides Parish are generally considered public under the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1). This law allows individuals to access and copy most public records, including arrest records. However, certain records are exempt from public access for privacy or security reasons. Common exemptions include:

• Records related to minors and juveniles
• Documents containing identifying information of victims of sexual offenses
• Records involving active undercover law enforcement officers
• Sealed or expunged arrest records

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Publicly available Rapides Parish arrest records typically contain the following information:

• Name, address, age, and other identifying information of the arrestee
• The date and location of the arrest
• The agency responsible for the arrest
• Charges filed against the individual
• The category of offense (e.g., misdemeanor or felony)
• Details of the detention facility where the individual is held
• Bond or bail information
• Booking photos and fingerprint data

Rapides Parish Crime Rate

According to the 2022 Crime in Louisiana report published by the Louisiana Statistical Analysis Center, Rapides Parish law enforcement reported a total of 4,772 criminal offenses in that year. A breakdown of this number revealed 1,475 crimes against persons, 2421 crimes against property, and 876 crimes against society.

The parish recorded 1,390 assault cases, which included 354 aggravated assaults, 775 simple assaults, and 261 intimidation offenses. In terms of property crimes, 546 burglaries, 164 motor vehicle thefts, and 829 larceny-theft cases were reported. Additionally, 10 arson incidents were documented during this period.

Crimes against society in Rapides Parish included 738 drug/narcotic offenses and 105 weapon law violations. These statistics reflect broader state trends in drug-related offenses and violent crimes. Notably, no gambling or bribery cases were reported in the 2022 data for the parish.

Find Rapides Parish Arrest Records

The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Inmate Inquiry portal allows interested members of the public obtain information about persons arrested within parish limits. The portal is searchable by the inmate's name, booking date and the subject number and housing facility. The information displayed includes the arrestee's full name, booking date, age, weight, height, crime description, and current incarceration status.

Written requests may also made to the office, and it should contain information regarding the subject of the record. Requests should be addressed to:

Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office
Attn: Criminal Records
2005 Vandevelde Ave
Alexandria, LA 71303

In addition to the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, like the also maintains arrest records of individuals apprehended by their officers.

Individuals can also request arrest records from the Louisiana State Police. However, in this case, the arrest information will be featured within criminal history records. Requests should be addressed to:

Physical Address:
Louisiana State Police
7919 Independence Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Mailing Address:
Louisiana State Police
BCII-LCJIS
P.O. Box 66614, Box A-6
Baton Rouge, LA 70896

Free Arrest Record Search in Rapides Parish

The Rapides Parish Sheriff's online Inmate Inquiry Roster is accessible at no cost. This listing is updated regularly and contains basic arrest information for individuals currently detained in the parish. Similarly, local police departments may facilitate free record searches upon request. However, inquirers will be charged if they request physical copies of a record.

Third-party websites also offer limited access to arrest information but may charge fees for comprehensive reports.

Get Rapides Parish Criminal Records

Criminal records, which provide a detailed overview of a person's interactions with law enforcement and the courts, are more restricted in Louisiana. Under LSA-R.S. 15:587, only certain criminal history information is available to the public; details, such as arrests that did not lead to convictions or juvenile records, are generally protected from public access.

The Rapides Parish Clerk of Court is the parish's primary custodian of criminal records.

To obtain a criminal record from the office, inquirers may send a public records request containing information regarding the record of interest to the criminal records contact of the office. Depending on the nature of the request, any of the following fees may apply:

• Background Checks: $5.00
• Fingerprints: $10.00 per card
• Incident/Case Report: $10.00 for initial report/page, $1.00 per page printed or electronic
• Incident/Case Reports (certified)- $15.00 for initial report / page, $1.00 per page printed or electronic
• Traffic Reports: $10.00
• Case Photos: $7.50 each

Written requests and accompanying payments should be mailed to:

Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office
Attn: Criminal Records
2005 Vandevelde Ave
Alexandria, LA 71303

Rapides Parish Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records document instances when an individual was apprehended by law enforcement. They include details such as the arrestee's personal information, the arresting officer's date and time of arrest, and the alleged offense. Arrest records, however, do not include final court dispositions and do not imply guilt. They are generally available to the public through the sheriff's office or local police departments. In contrast, criminal records provide a more comprehensive history, including court dispositions, sentencing information, and post-conviction details such as parole or probation. Criminal records can involve multiple agencies and typically include arrests, convictions, and any relevant court outcomes. Because criminal records contain a court's final judgment, they may be more reliable indicators of an individual's criminal history and legal status.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records in Rapides Parish are maintained indefinitely unless expunged or sealed. Even if an arrest does not result in a conviction, the record remains unless the individual successfully petitions for expungement under Louisiana law. Arrests that lead to a conviction may also be expunged if the offender/the offense satisfies the state's eligibility requirements.

Expunge Rapides Parish Arrest Records

Expungement is the process by which a person can have their arrest record removed from public access. In Rapides Parish, this process is governed by the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure (La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971–995). Individuals who wish to expunge their records must file a petition with the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. The process involves meeting specific eligibility criteria, such as no prior felony convictions and a waiting period after the completion of any sentence, probation, or parole. Per Louisiana C.Cr.P. Art. 978, first-time offenders and individuals who were acquitted may also qualify for expungement.

The expungement process involves the following steps:

• Filing a Petition: The individual must petition the court to have the record expunged.
• Notification: Copies of the petition must be served to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification, the Rapides Parish District Attorney, and the arresting agency.
• Court Decision: If the court grants the petition, an order to expunge is issued and sent to relevant agencies.
• Form Submission: The petitioner must complete a form provided by the Louisiana State Police (LSP) detailing the necessary case information, such as arrest dates and charges.
• Fees: Expungement typically requires a $550 fee, though fee waivers may be available to eligible persons

Rapides Parish Arrest Warrants

In Rapides Parish, arrest warrants are legal documents issued by the courts to authorize law enforcement to detain individuals suspected of committing crimes. These warrants provide law enforcement officers, including those of the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, the authority to apprehend and detain individuals who are believed to have violated the law. Per the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 202, arrest warrants are issued only upon the establishment of probable cause. Law enforcement officers or prosecutors must provide sufficient evidence or testimony that reasonably suggests the individual named in the warrant has committed a crime. Arrest warrants can be issued for various reasons, including failure to appear in court, violation of probation or parole terms, and contempt of court.

Rapides Parish Arrest Warrant Search

Rapides Parish arrest warrants are considered public records, and individuals interested in searching for active warrants can access this information through the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office OR the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court. Both offices maintain records related to arrest warrants and can provide guidance on how to resolve outstanding legal issues.

Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office
Warrants Division
701 Murray Street,
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 473-6700

Rapides Parish Clerk of Court
701 Murray Street,
Suite 102,
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 473-8153

Do Rapides Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Rapides Parish and throughout Louisiana do not expire. Once a warrant is issued, it remains active until it is resolved, either by the individual named in the warrant being apprehended or by the suspect voluntarily turning themselves in. Louisiana law does not provide for the automatic expiration of arrest warrants over time. As such, individuals with active warrants in Rapides Parish can remain subject to arrest until the matter is resolved in court.

However, suspects named in an arrest warrant may challenge the warrant's validity in court, potentially leading to the dismissal of the warrant if they can demonstrate legal grounds for its invalidity. Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:85 outlines that suspects may be able to secure their release by posting bail in cases where a bond is set. Posting bond does not eliminate the arrest warrant but allows the individual to remain out of custody while awaiting further court proceedings.