Louisiana Criminal Records

A criminal record in Louisiana is an official report outlining an individual's criminal activity within the state. The record contains information about past and current arrests, convictions, offenses committed, and sentences attached to the record subject. The law enforcement agencies, detention facilities, rehabilitation centers, penitentiaries, and courts in Louisiana are in charge of generating criminal records, while the Louisiana State Police's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information is the authorized custodian of state criminal records.

Some information contained in a Louisiana criminal record are:

• The record subject's name and nickname if known;
• Birth details including date, place, nationality, and age;
• Biological characteristics of the individual like the height, body mass, skin tone, eye and hair color;
• Details of all arrests, charges, convictions and subpoenas;
• The parish court handles each case and the case status;
• The outcome of all criminal cases filed against the subject;
• Fingerprints and mugshots;
• Information about the arresting law enforcement agency and agent.

Are Criminal Records Public in Louisiana?

Louisiana is a closed-record state. Hence, criminal history information is only accessible by agencies and individuals authorized under the Louisiana Public Records Law and Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:587. Eligible agencies and authorized persons can obtain state criminal records from the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information or query the Sheriff and the Parish court clerks in the parishes across the state for criminal records.

Louisiana Crime Records by County

Crime records in Louisiana are a collection of statistical data assembled by local and state law enforcement and justice agencies. They are obtained from criminal activities reported across the state's parishes and used to analyze, trace, investigate, and predict crime rates, tendencies, trends, and distribution within the state for a specific period.

Louisiana crime records generated by local and state law enforcement agents in Louisiana are transmitted to the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation via the Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCR).

Researchers can obtain crime information about the various parishes in Louisiana from the FBI Crime in the US publication. For example, according to the 2019 UCR report, East Baton Rogue parish recorded 609 violent crimes and 6,475 property records, while Jefferson parish had a total of 1,240 violent crimes and 9,618 property crimes reported.

Louisiana Criminal Record Check

Authorized persons can conduct a Louisiana criminal record check, also called a "background check," with the state or parish enforcement agencies. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information is the central depository for documenting and maintaining criminal history record information (CHRI) produced by law enforcement and justice agencies in Louisiana. The LSP Bureau makes criminal information accessible to authorized parties through various means:

1. The Louisiana Computerized Criminal History (LACCH) database contains fingerprint-based entries through which law enforcement agencies can inspect criminal records;
2. The Louisiana Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (LLETS) is a system through which criminal justice agencies can make inquiries on the LACCH electronically;
3. Internet Background Check (IBC) portal for performing name-based criminal record checks online for registered users only at $26 per search;
4. Qualified Individuals can also request copies of criminal records from the LSP bureau in person or by mail.

For in-person requests, the individual is expected to complete the Right to Review Authorization Form and Right to Review Disclosure Form. Both filled forms, including an approved means of identification, a processing fee of $26, and $10 for fingerprinting payable by money order, cashier's, or business check can be submitted in person during official hours at:

Louisiana State Police- Bureau of Criminal Identification

7919 Independence Boulevard

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

*Phone: (225) 925-6095. *

In-person requesters searching on behalf of the record subject must submit a completed copy of the Right to Review Attorney or Authorized Representative alongside other requirements.

Mail requestors are to enclose the completed appropriate forms, set of fingerprints, and payments in a self-addressed envelope and mail it to:

Louisiana State Police BCII-CJIS

Post Office Box 66614, Box A-6

Baton Rouge, LA 70896.

Authorized parties may also wish to subject requests to the sheriff or parish police department to conduct a local criminal record check within their jurisdiction. The process and fees required for making requests are usually specified on the agency's website or can be acquired by phoning an assigned number.

Find Criminal Records Online in Louisiana

Interested and eligible persons can find criminal records online in Louisiana by utilizing the Internet Background Check (IBC) online database maintained by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. To use the IBC portal, inquirers must create and register a business or primary user account, log in with the registered username and password, and then pay a nominal fee of $26 for each criminal record search.

Free Criminal Record Search in Louisiana

State laws do not make provisions for free criminal record searches in Louisiana. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, the official criminal record custodian per RS 15:587, is permitted to charge $26 to process record requests. However, the LSP Bureau may offer deductions in charges to persons and entities unable to afford the full costs on request.

Similarly, inquirers may use the Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry managed by the Louisiana State Police to find information on sex offenders and child predators at no cost.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Criminal Record in Louisiana?

A criminal record in Louisiana implies that an individual has been arrested, prosecuted, and may have been convicted for one or more crimes within the state. The consequences of having a criminal record can be detrimental to the bearer's social, financial, and mental well-being. A criminal record can also deny the bearer a lot of social opportunities and benefits.

Some common effects of having a criminal record include:

• Difficulties in obtaining admission into some institutions of higher learning and colleges
• Financial burdens in the form of fines and legal expenses
• Restriction of movement during detention, parole, or probation and in travels
• Ineligibility to apply for certain scholarships, donations, or financial easements
• Limitations in obtaining occupation and professional prospects
• Tarnished image and rating in society
• More severe punishments for successive infractions.

Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years in Louisiana?

Louisiana criminal records typically remain part of the bearer's criminal history information for life unless the individual petitions for sealing or expungement of the record. However, the seven-year rule as specified under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), partly influences Louisiana background checks. The FCRA permits criminal information related to arrests with no convictions, civil suits, liens, and insolvencies over seven years old to be withheld from inquiring employers and other individuals.

Arrest Record Vs Criminal Record

A Louisiana arrest record contains outlined information about individuals taken into custody or detained by local or state law enforcement officials. It reveals the arrestee's name, identifying features, photographs, and booking information but does not show the disposition of the arrest. A criminal record, on the other hand, is more elaborate and discloses the outcome, convictions, and sentences of the arrest.

Arrest records in Louisiana are generally created and maintained by the Parish court clerks and Sheriff's office, while the State police department manages Criminal records.

Louisiana Police Records

Louisiana police records refer to any document produced, collected, or maintained by law enforcement agencies for the state's discovery, deterrence, investigation, documentation, or prosecution of crime. This includes complaints, accident notices, offense/incident reports, arrest/booking information, active warrants, investigation reports, and police shooting reports.

Louisiana police records are usually generated by the Louisiana state police and transmitted to the different record divisions of departments in the state. Title 44, Chapter 1 of the Louisiana State Legislature, regulates public access to police records unless otherwise stated by statutes. Interested persons can access public information contained in police records by querying the police departments in person, online, via mail, or fax.

Police records are different from criminal records in that while criminal records reveal an individual's criminal activity, police records disclose all activities carried out by the enforcement agency and their agents. Secondly, while criminal records have a specific record subject, police records do not focus on a particular individual.