Washington Parish Arrest Records

Arrests in Washington Parish, Louisiana, are made when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime. The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement conduct arrests and generate Washington arrest records. Persons arrested in Washington Parish are held at the Washington Parish Jail.

Arrest records may be used in conjunction with Washington Parish Court Records during legal proceedings, background checks, or other investigations

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington Parish?

According to the Louisiana Public Records Act, Washington Parish arrest records are considered public records. This means that interested residents and the general public may access these records. However, some arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure or have restricted access, including:

• Sealed and expunged records.
• Juvenile records.
• Records involving ongoing investigations if disclosing the arrest information could compromise an active investigation.
• Mental health and substance abuse records.
• Sensitive information from criminal records, such as information about victims or witnesses in protective custody.
• Personal identifying information, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifiers.
• Medical records or health-related information.

Washington Parish Arrest Statistics

The Louisiana Statistical Analysis Center (LSAC) of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice publishes arrest and crime reports of cities and parishes in the state annually. In 2023, Washington Parish reported 508 arrests, including 149 violent crime arrests and 359 property crime arrests.

The violent crime arrests included one for murder, 10 for rape incidents, five for robberies, and 133 for aggravated assaults. The property crime arrests included 80 for burglaries, 221 for larcenies, 52 for motor vehicle thefts, and six for arson.

Find Washington Parish Arrest Records

Parish, state and federal resources are available for public use to look up Washington Parish's arrest records or inmate information. Use the Sheriff’s Office inmate search portal to find current and recently released inmates.

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

Also, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates a national inmate locator tool for individuals held in federal facilities. Visit the BOP Inmate Locator website and enter the inmate’s name or BOP number to find details about those held in federal custody.

Washington Parish Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records in Washington Parish, Louisiana, are distinct legal documents, each serving a different purpose in the criminal justice system.

Arrest records document when law enforcement takes an individual into custody based on suspicion of involvement in a crime. These records provide information on the incident leading to the arrest but do not necessarily indicate that the person has been charged or convicted. Arrest records are primarily administrative documents that confirm a person was taken into custody. They are not proof of guilt and may not reflect the outcome of the case.

Criminal records provide a complete history of an individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system, including all arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, and dispositions. Criminal records are a comprehensive legal record of an individual’s interactions with law enforcement and the courts.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Louisiana, arrests remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless they are expunged. Arrest records do not automatically fall off after a certain period. Individuals seeking to remove an arrest from their record must go through the expungement process to achieve this. Expungement refers to the process of removing a criminal record from public access, although the record remains available to law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, and certain state agencies. If you want to apply for expungement, check the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 971-993.

Eligibility

Eligibility for expungement depends on the type of offense and the details of the arrest or conviction. You may file for expungement for a misdemeanor if:

• The conviction was set aside, and the prosecution was dismissed under Article 894(B), or
• Five years have passed since completing the sentence, probation, or parole, and there have been no new felony convictions or pending felony charges.

If a felony, you may file for expungement if:

• The conviction was set aside, and the prosecution was dismissed under Article 893(E), or
• Ten years have passed since completing the sentence, probation, or parole without any new criminal offenses or pending charges.

When to Apply for Expungement

• Acquittal, dismissal, or not prosecuted (nolle prosequi) - immediately following these outcomes.
• Conviction involving probation or parole - Completion of probation or parole associated with sentence. There may also be a waiting period after the completion of the sentence.
• Convictions for offenses - statutory waiting periods after completion of the sentence, including five years for misdemeanors and ten years for felonies. This period may vary depending on the severity and nature of the offense.
• First offender pardon - immediately after the outcome.

Application for Expungement

• Ensure you meet the conditions for expungement based on the type of offense, sentence completion, and statutory waiting periods (five years for misdemeanors and ten years for felonies).
• Visit the court that handled your case to get an expungement packet. This includes forms for filing a motion for expungement and, if needed, forms to set aside a conviction under Articles 893 or 894.
• Request a background check from the local police, Louisiana State Police, or Clerk of Criminal District Court. Also, obtain a certification letter from the District Attorney. If eligible for a fee waiver, complete a Certification of Fee Waiver form. Eligibility factors for fee waiver include:
• No prior felony convictions in the country.
• No pending felonies.
• The offense ended in an acquittal, motion to quash, or dismissed/refused, and the time limit for prosecution has expired.
• The offense was not dismissed after the successful completion of diversion.
• Submit your motion for expungement along with the required documents to the Clerk of Court. The Clerk will notify law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney, allowing them time to object if necessary.
• A hearing will be scheduled if objections are raised. If the court grants your motion, you will receive certified copies of the expungement order, which will also be sent to relevant law enforcement agencies.

Washington Parish Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to arrest an individual. This document is based on probable cause that a person has committed a crime, ensuring that an arrest is legally sanctioned. Arrest warrants may be issued when a person is suspected of committing a crime and law enforcement believes they need to be apprehended to prevent further offenses.

An arrest warrant typically includes the following information:

• The name and aliases of the subject of the warrant.
• Physical description.
• A statement of the charges the individual is accused of committing.
• The name of the judge who issued the warrant.
• When the warrant was granted.
• The signature of the issuing judge.

Do Washington Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Washington Parish, Louisiana, arrest warrants do not have an expiration date. They remain active until the individual is arrested, the warrant is recalled, or the underlying charges are dismissed by the court.