St. Charles Parish Arrest Records

Arrests in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, are made when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. This may include situations where an officer witnesses a crime, receives a complaint from a victim, or evidence from an investigation. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office is primarily responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records. It also maintains the St. Charles Parish Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, where persons arrested are held.

St. Charles Parish arrest records may become part of St. Charles Parish Court Records when an individual is prosecuted for the offense that led to the arrest. In such cases, the arrest details are included in the court records related to the legal proceedings.

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Charles Parish?

Under the Louisiana Public Records Act, arrest records are part of St. Charles Parish public records. This law allows individuals to access records generated or maintained by public agencies, including arrest records maintained by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. However, certain types of information may be exempt from public disclosure. These include:

• Juvenile records.
• Ongoing investigations, if disclosing the arrest information, could compromise an active investigation.
• Sealed or expunged records
• Personal identifying information, such as Social Security numbers or health information.
• Information about victims or witnesses in protective custody.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record in St. Charles Parish typically contains the following information:

• Personal information of the arrested individual: Name, mugshot, age, race, and sex.
• Arrest details: Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Charges: Description of the alleged offense(s), including criminal code sections when applicable.
• Booking Information: Date and time of booking, booking number, and inmate identification number.
• Bail or bond information.
• Court information.
• Arresting officer and agency.

St. Charles Parish Arrest Statistics

The Louisiana Statistical Analysis Center (LSAC) of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice publishes crime and arrest reports of cities and parishes annually. In 2023, 599 arrests in St. Charles Parish were reported, including 163 violent crime arrests and 436 property crime arrests.

The violent crime arrests included four for murder, three for rape incidents, 17 for robberies, and 139 for aggravated assaults. The property crime arrests included 122 for burglaries, 235 for larcenies, 70 for motor vehicle thefts, and nine for arson.

Find St. Charles Parish Arrest Records

To find St. Charles Parish arrest records or inmate information, use the jail roster provided by the Sheriff’s Office. It may be searched by name, race, sex, arrest date, and release date.

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections allows interested persons to search for information on inmates in Louisiana correctional facilities. It provides online access to search by location, name, and ID/case number.

Also, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) runs an inmate locator tool that is searchable for information on individuals held in federal facilities. You may use the BOP Inmate Locator and input the inmate’s name or BOP number to find inmate details.

Free Arrest Record Search in St. Charles Parish

Free official resources available for searching arrest records in St. Charles Parish may include:

• The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office jail roster.
• The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections information for and about people in prison portal.
• BOP Inmate Locator

Third-party websites that aggregate public arrest data may serve as an additional, free search option. Some of these sites offer basic information at no cost, though they may charge for full records or reports. While some third-party sites offer basic access for free, they may have outdated information and may charge fees for more detailed reports. Always use these websites cautiously and cross-check with official sources for accuracy.

St. Charles Parish Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In St. Charles Parish, arrest records and criminal records differ in scope, purpose, and content. Arrest records document instances where an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement. They provide details about the arrest but do not necessarily indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. Arrest records show law enforcement activity and serve as a log of an individual’s interactions with law enforcement agencies.

On the other hand, criminal records provide a comprehensive history of an individual’s involvement in criminal activities and include outcomes of legal proceedings, such as convictions, sentences, or acquittals. They reflect incidents that led to a court ruling, documenting a person’s criminal history within the legal system. These records are used to assess a person’s criminal background, often for employment, licensing, or background checks.

In short, arrest records in St. Charles Parish arrest records capture initial law enforcement actions, while criminal records reflect court decisions and formal legal outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Louisiana, arrest records typically remain on a person’s record indefinitely, as there is no automatic expungement. They stay on the record unless an individual successfully petitions for an expungement. Expungement may be possible under specific conditions, such as if the charges were dismissed, the individual was acquitted, or a specified period has passed since the completion of their sentence for certain non-violent offenses.

Expunge St. Charles Parish Arrest Records

In St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, expungement refers to the legal process of removing a criminal record from being accessible to the public. However, the records remain available to law enforcement, criminal justice, and certain state agencies. Expunged records are hidden from the general public but not destroyed. To apply, individuals may refer to Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-993, which outline eligibility and requirements.

Eligibility

Eligibility varies based on the offense type, arrest, or conviction details. For misdemeanors, you may seek expungement if either:

• The conviction was set aside, and the prosecution was dismissed under Article 894(), or
• At least five years have passed since completing your sentence, probation, or parole with no new felony convictions or pending felony charges.

Expungement is not allowed for:

• Sex offenses as defined in Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 15, Chapter 541 (though interim expungements may be possible under Article 985.1),
• Domestic abuse battery, or
• Stalking.

For felonies, expungement may be requested if:

• The conviction was set aside, and the prosecution was dismissed under Article 893(), or
• Ten years have passed since sentence completion, with no new offenses or pending charges.

Expungement is not available for:

• Crimes of violence under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 14, Chapter 2(B) unless certain criteria are met, such as a 10-year period with no offenses or charges and steady employment for 10 years,
• Serious felonies, including sex crimes and violent offenses.

When to Apply for Expungement

The timing for expungement depends on the case outcome:

• Acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi (not prosecuted) - immediately upon case conclusion.
• Probation or parole with conviction - after completing the probation or parole period.
• Convictions with sentencing - Following statutory waiting periods, five years for misdemeanors and ten years for felonies, depending on offense severity.
• First offender pardon - immediately following the pardon.

Application for Expungement

• Confirm that you meet the conditions for expungement based on offense type, sentence completion, and applicable waiting periods.
• Obtain an Expungement Packet: Visit the court where your case was handled to get an expungement packet. This packet includes necessary forms for filing, including a motion for expungement and, if applicable, forms to set aside a conviction under Articles 893 or 894.
• Gather the required documents: Obtain a background check from the local police, Louisiana State Police, or Clerk of the Criminal District Court. You should also request a certification letter from the District Attorney. If eligible for a fee waiver, complete a Certification of Fee Waiver form. Fee waivers may apply if:
  • You have no prior felony convictions within the country,
  • There are no pending felonies,
  • The case ended in acquittal, dismissal, motion to quash, or prosecution was refused, and time limits have expired,
  • The offense was not dismissed after a diversion program.
• File the Expungement Motion: Submit the motion and documents to the Clerk of Court. The Clerk will notify the relevant law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney, who may raise objections if necessary.
• Court Hearing and Decision: A court hearing may be scheduled if objections arise. If the court approves, certified copies of the expungement order will be provided to you and sent to relevant law enforcement agencies.

Expungement filing fees in Louisiana may range from $550 to $800, depending on the court and type of expungement. You may be eligible for a fee waiver based on income or by completing an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) form, which, if granted by a judge, may allow you to file without immediate payment. Eligibility depends on income or public assistance benefits like SNAP or Medicaid. If granted, you might avoid upfront fees but could be required to pay later if the expungement is denied.

Expungement filing fees in Louisiana vary by the court and the type of expungement. It may range from $550 to $800. Apart from the fee waiver mentioned above, you may also be able to file your expungement without paying costs upfront if you complete an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) form and a judge grants your request. Eligibility typically depends on income level or benefits like SNAP or Medicaid. If the court grants your request, you may file without paying upfront, though you may be required to pay later if the expungement is denied.

The expungement process generally takes 60 days after filing, allowing all agencies to respond. Once completed, the Louisiana State Police will issue a Certificate of Compliance, finalizing the expungement.

St. Charles Parish Arrest Warrants

In St. Charles Parish, arrest warrants are legal documents issued by the court sanctioning law enforcement to detain a specific individual suspected of committing a crime. For an arrest warrant to be issued, the prosecutor or law enforcement must present sufficient evidence or probable cause to the court.

The information contained in an arrest warrant includes:

• Subject’s personal information: Full name, alias(e,s) physical description, and any identifying details.
• A description of the alleged crime, including relevant statutes or criminal code sections.
• A summary of the evidence or probable cause.
• The name of the judge who issued the warrant.
• The date the warrant was granted.
• The signature of the issuing judge.

Do St. Charles Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

In St. Charles Parish, arrest warrants do not typically expire. Once issued by a judge, an arrest warrant remains active until it is executed (i.e., the individual is arrested) or withdrawn by the court. This means the warrant may stay valid indefinitely unless specific actions are taken to address it. Arrest warrants that remain unexecuted are often classified as “outstanding warrants”. These may lead to the individual’s arrest at any time, especially if they come into contact with law enforcement, who may run routine checks for active warrants.