Tangipahoa Parish Arrest Records

Under the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, an arrest occurs when a law enforcement officer takes an individual into custody following their involvement in criminal activity. In Tangipahoa Parish, arrests are legally justified if the individual commits a crime in the officer's presence or if the officer has probable cause to believe the individual has violated a state statute. Arrests can also be made pursuant to a warrant issued by a magistrate (LA Code Crim Pro Art. 213).

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office manages Tangipahoa arrest records created during the booking process. They typically constitute part of an individual's criminal history information, as do Tangipahoa Parish Court Records, which the Parish courts manage.

Are Arrest Records Public in Tangipahoa Parish?

Under Louisiana's Public Records Law (R.S. 44:1), Tangipahoa Parish arrest records are considered public records. However, specific limitations exist to protect privacy and security. Some information typically withheld from public access include:

• Arrest records before conviction or guilty plea (excluding basic booking information)
• Records concerning juvenile offenders
• Information on undercover officers
• Sensitive data exempt under federal or state law

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Typically, arrest records in Tangipahoa Parish will include:

• Suspect identification
• Date, time, and location of the alleged offense
• Description of damages or injuries
• Name of the arresting officer/agency

Find Tangipahoa Parish Arrest Records

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO) is responsible for maintaining arrest records for individuals apprehended within its jurisdiction. Public access to these records is possible through the TPSO's Public Records Center, where individuals can request law enforcement/arrest records. However, obtaining these records is not free, and interested parties must consult the TPSO's public records fee schedule to determine associated costs.

The TPSO also maintains an online jail Roster that provides information on current and recently released inmates. This platform allows individuals to view details the inmate's booking number, release and transfer dates, charges, bond amounts, and status.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office
15475 Club Deluxe Road
Hammond, LA 70403
Phone: (985) 345-6150

Amite Office
101 Campo Lane
Amite, LA 70422
Phone: (985) 748-8147

Free Arrest Record Search in Tangipahoa Parish

Residents or researchers seeking arrest records in Tangipahoa Parish may visit the TPSO in person to view and inspect records at no charge. Additionally, arrest information can be obtained by searching the online Inmate Roster or accessing criminal case records through the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court's Office.

Another option for obtaining arrest records is through third-party websites. Many of these offer subscription-based services but may provide limited free searches.

Get Tangipahoa Parish Criminal Records

Criminal records in Tangipahoa Parish are comprehensive documents detailing a person's criminal history, including arrests, indictments, prosecutions, convictions, sentencing, and parole or probation details. The Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court maintains these records and makes them available to the public on request.

To request criminal records, individuals must complete the "Request for Copies of Criminal Records Form" and submit it by mail or fax to the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court. The cost of obtaining these records is $1 per page, $5 per certified document, $10 per certified minute entry, plus applicable postage fees.

Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 667
Amite, LA 70422
Fax: (985) 748-6637

Tangipahoa Parish Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records document an individual's apprehension by law enforcement and the formal charges brought against them. These records are public and accessible but do not indicate guilt; they simply record the arrest. Arrest records typically include basic information such as the suspect's identity, the incident report, the time and location of the arrest, and the arresting agency.

In contrast, criminal records are created after an individual is convicted of a crime. These records serve as proof of guilt and document the sentencing. Criminal records include arrest information, court proceedings, convictions, and sentences handed down by the judiciary. Both arrest and criminal records are accessible, but criminal records hold more weight in legal and background check contexts as they reflect an official conviction.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records in Louisiana remain part of the public record indefinitely unless they are expunged. An expunged record is not erased but is made confidential and can only be accessed under specific conditions, such as by law enforcement or with a court order (LA Code Crim Pro Art. 973).

Expunge Tangipahoa Parish Arrest Records

According to Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 976, individuals arrested in Tangipahoa Parish may file for expungement if:

• No charges were filed, or the statute of limitations has expired
• The district attorney chose not to prosecute
• The case was dismissed, the individual was acquitted, or a motion to quash was granted

Certain offenses, such as DUI, may only be expunged after five years (LA Code Crim Pro Art. 977). For felony offenses, a 10-year waiting period is required after the completion of any sentence or probation. Once an expungement is granted, the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court notifies the relevant law enforcement agencies and the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. Louisiana also mandates third-party entities to comply with expungement orders, and failure to do so can result in legal penalties (LA Code Crim Pro Art. 974).

Tangipahoa Parish Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal order that allows law enforcement to arrest a person suspected of committing a crime. In Tangipahoa Parish, arrest warrants are issued by a magistrate judge upon receiving a sworn affidavit that presents sufficient evidence of probable cause. According to the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 202, the affidavit must provide detailed information about the alleged crime, including the date, time, and location of the offense. The affidavit must also identify the suspect, the nature of the offense, and any victims or property damage involved.

A Tangipahoa Parish arrest warrant must contain the following:

• The date and parish of issuance.
• The name of the person to be arrested (or, if unknown, a description that identifies the individual with reasonable certainty).
• The criminal offense the individual is being accused of.
• A command for law enforcement to arrest and book the person.
• If the offense is bailable, the magistrate may set a bail amount, which will be noted on the warrant.

Tangipahoa Parish Arrest Warrant Search

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO) is responsible for maintaining records of arrest warrants issued by the 21st Judicial District Court, which serves Tangipahoa Parish. To search for active or outstanding arrest warrants, contact the TPSO's Criminal Records Department.

Individuals can also submit an online request through the Public Records Center to access information regarding wanted persons or arrest warrants in Tangipahoa Parish. The Sheriff's Office provides this information as part of its public records access policy, governed by Louisiana's Public Records Law (LA Rev Stat § 44:1).

Do Tangipahoa Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Louisiana, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until they are executed, meaning the individual named in the warrant can be arrested at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the warrant was issued. However, while the arrest warrant itself does not expire, the statute of limitations may apply to criminal charges, particularly for misdemeanor offenses.

For most felony crimes, there is no statute of limitations, but for misdemeanors, the statute of limitations typically requires that charges be filed within two years of the offense. According to Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 15, Section 15:7, as long as the charges were filed within the statute of limitations, the arrest can still occur, and the case will not be dismissed based on the time passed.