Louisiana operates on a parish system rather than a county system -- 64 parishes, each with its own sheriff managing local jails and booking records. That structure is the first thing to understand when looking for a recent arrest. For statewide criminal history, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information is the central repository, though access requires going through a process that involves either an IBC account or a mail-based request. Louisiana also has one notable restriction that sets it apart from most states: a person who is currently in DPS&C custody serving a sentence at hard labor cannot file for expungement while incarcerated. This guide covers the full system.
What Makes Louisiana Arrest Records Public
The Louisiana Public Records Law, codified at Louisiana Revised Statute 44:1 and following, establishes the public's right to access government records. Arrest records are generally accessible under this framework.
The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, known as BCII, serves as the central repository for criminal history record information under La. R.S. 15:578. The BCII maintains the Louisiana Computerized Criminal History (LACCH) database, which contains arrest, disposition, and incarceration details reported by law enforcement agencies and courts statewide.
Exemptions from public access under La. R.S. 44:3 include juvenile arrest records, active criminal investigation records that could compromise an ongoing case, and records that would identify victims of sex crimes. Arrest records in cases still pending in court may also be withheld until the case is resolved.
What a Louisiana Arrest Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It reflects the facts of an arrest at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A Louisiana arrest record includes the person's full legal name, date of birth, race, gender, and other identifying information. It lists the charges filed at booking, the arresting agency, the date and time of the arrest, and release status. Fingerprints and booking photographs (mugshots) are part of the arrest record. Mugshots are public records in Louisiana and can be requested from the arresting agency.
Court disposition information is submitted to the BCII when courts report it. The BCII criminal history also includes incarceration information from DPS&C where applicable.
How to Search Louisiana Arrest Records
The LSP's Internet Background Check (IBC) system is the primary statewide public tool. To use it, individuals or organizations must create an account and obtain approval from the LSP. Once approved, users can conduct name-based criminal history searches. Each search carries a fee. The IBC system returns criminal history information from the LACCH database.
For personal record review and certified criminal history, requests can be made through the BCII in person, by mail, or by submitting an online form. The BCII office is at 7919 Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. The criminal records line is 225-925-6096 and the BCII records line is 225-925-6325. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The state criminal history check costs $26 for a name-based search.
Parish district court records are a free public resource for case-level information. Under La. R.S. 44:1, records filed in Louisiana district courts are public. Each parish Clerk of Court holds these case files. Many parishes offer online search tools; others require in-person inspection at the courthouse. These court records reflect charges filed, case status, and final dispositions.
Parish sheriff offices are the starting point for recent arrests. Louisiana has 64 parishes and each parish sheriff manages the local jail. Most parish sheriffs publish online booking rosters or daily arrest logs. Examples include the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, which has a searchable online roster, and the Shreveport Police Department, which posts daily arrest logs. For recent bookings not yet in the LSP system, the parish sheriff or local police department is where to look.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across Louisiana's 64 parishes and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
LAVNS -- the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System -- is the state's custody tracking tool and connects to both DPS&C state prisons and many parish jails. It allows free registration for notifications when an individual's custody status changes. LAVNS is also connected to VINELink at vinelink.com.
Parish Jail Records in Louisiana
Louisiana has 64 parishes and each parish sheriff operates the local jail. Parish jails hold people who have recently been arrested, those awaiting trial, and individuals serving sentences. For anyone arrested recently, start at the parish sheriff's website.
When someone is convicted and sentenced to state prison, they enter the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections system. The DPS&C maintains an offender locator accessible through doc.louisiana.gov. You can also call the DPS&C directly at 225-383-4580 and provide the prisoner's last name, DPS&C number, or date of birth to locate them. The DPS&C updates this database daily. Under La. R.S. 15:574.12, DPS&C offender records that are publicly accessible are limited: allowed information includes the offender's age, the offense of conviction, the date of conviction, the length of sentence, and any misconduct while incarcerated.
Federal Arrests in Louisiana
Federal arrests in Louisiana are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, ICE, and Homeland Security Investigations. Louisiana has significant federal law enforcement activity, particularly in the Eastern District centered in New Orleans.
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the LSP BCII criminal history database. A state criminal history check will not surface federal charges.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. Louisiana maintains them as distinct records.
Charges can be dropped, cases dismissed, and juries acquit. In all of those situations the arrest entry remains in BCII records and parish court systems unless expunged. The record continues to appear on background checks until legally addressed.
Louisiana Expungement Under La. C.Cr.P. Chapter 34
Louisiana's expungement law is codified in Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 34 (which replaced the prior La. R.S. 44:9 provisions effective 2014). Expungement in Louisiana is defined specifically: it means removal of a record from public access but does not mean destruction of the record. An expunged record is confidential but remains available to law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and certain other authorized entities.
For arrests that did not result in conviction: Under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976, a person may file a motion to expunge an arrest record for a felony or misdemeanor that did not result in a conviction if the prosecution was not instituted and the limitations period has run, the prosecution was instituted and the charges were dismissed, or the person was acquitted. The motion is filed in the district, parish, or city court.
For misdemeanor convictions: Expungement is available for certain misdemeanor convictions, including cases where a plea was entered under CCP Art. 894 and the sentence was successfully completed. Misdemeanor expungement may only be used once during a five-year period, and DWI cases may use Art. 894 only once in a ten-year period.
For certain felony convictions: Limited felony expungement is available under specific circumstances, including completion of first offender pardon provisions.
One critical limitation that distinguishes Louisiana from most states: under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 985, a person currently in the physical custody of DPS&C serving a sentence at hard labor cannot file a motion to expunge any record -- whether an arrest that did not result in conviction or a misdemeanor or felony conviction. The person must wait until they are no longer in DPS&C custody under that sentence before filing.
InmateAid's guides on expungement cover Louisiana's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after expungement is a separate process addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are Louisiana arrest records public?
Yes, under the Louisiana Public Records Law at La. R.S. 44:1. Arrest records are generally public. Exceptions include juvenile records, active investigation materials, records identifying sex crime victims, and arrest records in pending cases. Mugshots are public records in Louisiana.
How do I search Louisiana arrest records?
The LSP IBC system requires an approved account for statewide criminal history searches. For certified records, contact the BCII at 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, phone 225-925-6096, at a cost of $26 for a state name-based check. For court case records and dispositions, search the relevant parish Clerk of Court, many of which have free online portals. For recent arrests, check the parish sheriff's website. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For custody status, LAVNS/VINELink at vinelink.com provides free notifications. For DPS&C state prison inmates, use the offender locator at doc.louisiana.gov or call 225-383-4580.
What does a Louisiana arrest record contain?
A Louisiana arrest record includes full legal name, date of birth, race, gender, the charges filed at booking, the arresting agency, the date and time of the arrest, fingerprints, and a booking photograph. Court dispositions are included in the BCII record when submitted by courts.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in Louisiana?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. You can have a Louisiana arrest record with no conviction if charges were dropped, dismissed, or you were acquitted. The arrest entry remains in BCII records and parish court files unless expunged under Louisiana CCP Chapter 34.
How do I find someone in a Louisiana parish jail?
Check the parish sheriff's website where the arrest occurred. Most Louisiana parish sheriffs publish online booking rosters or daily arrest logs. LAVNS at vinelink.com connects to parish jails and DPS&C prisons statewide and provides free status notifications. For someone in state prison, use the DPS&C offender locator at doc.louisiana.gov or call 225-383-4580.
Can I search federal arrest records in Louisiana?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the LSP BCII database.
How long does an arrest stay on record in Louisiana?
Louisiana arrest records remain in BCII files indefinitely unless expunged under Louisiana CCP Chapter 34. There is no automatic expiration. The burden falls on the individual to file a motion for expungement in the appropriate court. Records in pending cases may have limited public disclosure until the case resolves.
Who qualifies for expungement in Louisiana?
Non-conviction arrests are generally eligible for expungement under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976 -- when the limitations period has run without prosecution, charges were dismissed, or the person was acquitted. Certain misdemeanor convictions completed under CCP Art. 894 are eligible, subject to frequency limits. Limited felony expungement is available in specific circumstances. Crimes of violence under La. R.S. 14:2(B) and offenses for which a hard labor sentence was imposed are generally not eligible.
Can I expunge a record while in prison in Louisiana?
No. Under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 985, a person in the physical custody of DPS&C serving a sentence at hard labor cannot file a motion to expunge any record while incarcerated under that sentence. This applies to both non-conviction arrests and conviction records. The person must complete their sentence and be released from DPS&C custody before filing.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
An arrest entry is created at booking and remains in BCII records and parish court files regardless of what happened in court. If charges were dropped, the case dismissed, or you were acquitted, the arrest entry persists unless expunged under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 976. Filing a motion in the parish where the arrest occurred or where the case was heard is the path to removal for qualifying non-conviction arrests. ---
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