Lafourche Parish Public Records /Lafourche Parish Criminal Records

Lafourche County Criminal Records

What Is Lafourche County Criminal Records

Lafourche Parish criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. These records are maintained by various government agencies and serve as the official documentation of criminal proceedings from arrest through final disposition.

Criminal records in Lafourche Parish typically include:

Arrest records maintained by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
Booking information and jail records
Court case files maintained by the 17th Judicial District Court
Prosecution records from the Lafourche Parish District Attorney's Office
Probation and parole information

The Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) establishes the legal framework for the creation, maintenance, and accessibility of these records. Under Louisiana law, criminal records are categorized according to several important distinctions:

Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of specific charges.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies are more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more, while misdemeanors are less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year in jail.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (under 18) are typically sealed and confidential under La. Ch.C. Art. 412.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Lafourche Parish include:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
200 Canal Boulevard
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 448-2111
Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

17th Judicial District Court
201 Green Street
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 447-4841
17th Judicial District Court

Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 1560
Thibodaux, LA 70302
(985) 447-4841
Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court

Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. These records serve multiple purposes, including informing judicial decisions, supporting law enforcement activities, and providing information for background checks.

Are Criminal Records Public In Lafourche County

Criminal records in Lafourche Parish are generally considered public information under the Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically La. R.S. 44:3, which governs records of prosecutive, investigative, and law enforcement agencies. This statute establishes the presumption of openness while defining specific exemptions.

The law states: "Any public record not specifically exempted from disclosure by this Chapter or by any other statute, and not prohibited from disclosure by other provisions of law, shall be available for inspection by any person of the age of majority."

Public criminal records in Lafourche Parish typically include:

Court proceedings and case files for adult offenders
Conviction records
Sentencing information
Booking records and mugshots
Sex offender registry information

However, certain categories of criminal records are restricted from public access:

Records pertaining to pending criminal investigations
Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order
Information that would compromise ongoing law enforcement operations
Records containing confidential informant information
Certain victim information, particularly in cases involving sexual offenses

The Louisiana Constitution, Article I, Section 5, also establishes a right to privacy that courts have interpreted as limiting access to certain sensitive information within otherwise public records. Additionally, the Louisiana Criminal Code La. R.S. 44:4.1 enumerates specific exceptions to the Public Records Law.

For juvenile records, La. Ch.C. Art. 412 establishes that "records and reports concerning all matters or proceedings before the juvenile court" are confidential and shall not be disclosed except in limited circumstances prescribed by law.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Lafourche Parish must follow established procedures through the appropriate custodial agencies, which may include the Clerk of Court, Sheriff's Office, or District Attorney's Office. These agencies are responsible for reviewing requests and redacting any confidential information before release.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lafourche County in 2026

Lafourche Parish residents and interested parties may access criminal records through several established channels. The following procedures outline the current methods for obtaining these records:

In-Person Requests at the Clerk of Court's Office:

Visit the Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM).
Complete a public records request form, providing specific information about the records sought.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $5.00 per name search plus $1.00 per page for copies).
Records may be reviewed on-site or copies provided, typically within 3-5 business days for more complex requests.

Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 1560
Thibodaux, LA 70302
(985) 447-4841
Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court

Mail Requests:

Submit a written request to the Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court.
Include specific information about the records sought (full name, date of birth, case numbers if known).
Enclose a copy of your identification and appropriate payment.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents.

Sheriff's Office Records Division:

For arrest records, booking information, and incident reports:

Visit the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division.
Complete the required request form.
Provide identification and pay applicable fees.
Specify whether you need certified copies.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
200 Canal Boulevard
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 448-2111
Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

District Attorney's Office:

For prosecution records and case disposition information:

Contact the District Attorney's Office Records Division.
Submit a formal request specifying the information needed.
Allow 3-7 business days for processing.

Lafourche Parish District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 431
Thibodaux, LA 70302
(985) 447-2003
Lafourche Parish District Attorney

When requesting criminal records, be prepared to provide:

Full legal name of the subject
Date of birth
Approximate date of incident or case filing
Case or docket number (if known)
Your contact information and relationship to the case

Pursuant to Louisiana Public Records Law, agencies must respond to requests within three business days, though complex requests may require additional time.

How To Find Criminal Records in Lafourche County Online?

Lafourche Parish offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by system.

Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court Online Records:

The Clerk of Court maintains a subscription-based online case access system:

Visit the Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court website
Navigate to "Online Services" and select "Court Records Search"
Create a user account and select a subscription plan
Search by name, case number, or filing date
Access case summaries, docket entries, and some document images

This system provides information on criminal cases filed with the 17th Judicial District Court, including charges, hearing dates, and case dispositions. Subscription fees currently range from $25 for 24-hour access to $300 for annual access.

Louisiana Judicial Administrator's Case Management Information System:

The Louisiana Supreme Court maintains a statewide case information portal:

Access the Louisiana Case Search portal
Select Lafourche Parish from the jurisdiction menu
Enter search criteria (name, case number)
Review basic case information including charges and next court dates

This system provides limited case information but is available without subscription fees.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup:

For current jail population information:

Visit the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office website
Navigate to "Inmate Roster" under "Corrections"
Search by name to view booking information, charges, and bond amounts

This free resource is updated daily and includes only currently incarcerated individuals.

Louisiana Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry:

For sex offender registration information:

Access the Louisiana Sex Offender Registry
Search by name, location, or compliance status
View registration details, offense information, and residence locations

Louisiana Department of Corrections Offender Lookup:

For information on individuals currently under state supervision:

Visit the Louisiana Department of Corrections website
Select "Offender Locator"
Search by name or DOC number
View current custody status, location, and release information

Important limitations to note:

Complete case files are not available online and require in-person requests
Document images may be limited or unavailable through online systems
Certain sensitive cases (juvenile, sealed, expunged) are excluded from online access
Recent arrests may not appear immediately in online systems

For comprehensive criminal history information, the Louisiana State Police maintains the official state repository, accessible through formal background check procedures rather than public online access.

Can You Search Lafourche County Criminal Records for Free?

Lafourche Parish provides several options for accessing criminal records at no cost, though certain services do carry fees. Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:32) establishes that "the custodian shall provide copies to persons so requesting" and may charge only "reasonable fees for making copies of public records."

Free In-Person Record Inspection:

The law guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge during regular business hours at:

Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 1560
Thibodaux, LA 70302
(985) 447-4841
Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
200 Canal Boulevard
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 448-2111
Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

While inspection is free, requestors must:

Present valid identification
Complete any required request forms
Specify the records they wish to examine
Adhere to agency procedures for handling documents

Free Online Resources:

Several no-cost online resources provide limited criminal records information:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster - Provides current jail population information including charges and booking dates.
Louisiana Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry - Offers free public access to sex offender registration information for Lafourche Parish residents.
Louisiana Department of Corrections Offender Locator - Provides custody information for individuals sentenced to state prison or under state supervision.
Louisiana Judicial Administrator's Case Information - Offers basic case status information without subscription fees.

Fee-Based Services:

Certain records services do require payment:

Document copies: $1.00 per page (standard fee)
Certified copies: $5.00-$10.00 per document
Background checks: $26.00 (Louisiana State Police fee)
Subscription access to online court records: $25.00-$300.00

Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(C), agencies may waive fees "if the custodian determines that the request is not for the purpose of private gain and that the public interest will be served." Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing with justification.

For individuals with limited financial resources, the 17th Judicial District Court may grant fee waivers through an in forma pauperis application, though this typically applies to court filing fees rather than record search fees.

What's Included in a Lafourche County Criminal Record?

Lafourche Parish criminal records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of offense
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, identifying marks)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)
Driver's license number

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and facility
Initial charges filed by law enforcement
Probable cause statement
Bail or bond amount and status
Pre-trial detention information

Court Case Information:

Case/docket number
Court of jurisdiction (e.g., 17th Judicial District Court)
Filing date and prosecutor information
Formal charges filed, including:
- Louisiana Revised Statutes citations
- Classification (felony/misdemeanor)
- Degree or class of offense
Defense attorney information
Hearing dates and appearances
Motion filings and judicial rulings
Evidence and witness information

Disposition and Sentencing:

Plea information
Trial outcome (if applicable)
Verdict or judgment
Conviction date
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or program mandates
Post-conviction proceedings
Appeal information

Additional Information:

Active warrant status
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
Habitual offender status
Probation/parole violations
Modification of sentences
Completion of sentence or discharge date

Criminal records maintained by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office focus primarily on arrest and booking information, while the 17th Judicial District Court and Clerk of Court maintain the official court case records. The Louisiana Department of Corrections maintains records related to state incarceration and supervision.

It should be noted that pursuant to Louisiana law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of these records, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account information
Medical or mental health information
Information about minor victims
Confidential informant details

How Long Does Lafourche County Keep Criminal Records?

Lafourche Parish maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by Louisiana state law and administrative regulations. The Louisiana Secretary of State's Records Management division provides guidance on records retention through Schedule GS-1, which establishes minimum retention periods for various government records.

Court Records Retention:

The 17th Judicial District Court and Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court maintain criminal case files according to the following general guidelines:

Felony Cases: Permanent retention for capital cases and life imprisonment cases; minimum 20-year retention for other felonies after final disposition, pursuant to La. R.S. 44:36
Misdemeanor Cases: Minimum 10-year retention after final disposition
Traffic Violations: 3-5 year retention depending on severity
Expunged Records: Physical destruction of records as ordered by the court, though index information may be retained with restricted access

Sheriff's Office Records Retention:

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office maintains records according to the following general schedule:

Arrest Reports: Minimum 10-year retention
Booking Information: 10-year minimum retention
Incident Reports: 5-year minimum retention for non-violent offenses; 10-year minimum for violent offenses
Investigation Files: 10-year minimum for closed cases; permanent retention for unsolved major crimes
Jail Records: 5-year minimum retention after release

District Attorney Records Retention:

The Lafourche Parish District Attorney's Office typically maintains:

Case Files: 10-year minimum retention after case closure for most cases
Major Felony Cases: 20-year minimum retention
Capital Cases: Permanent retention

State-Level Records:

The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information maintains the central repository of criminal history information. Under La. R.S. 15:586, these records are maintained indefinitely unless formally expunged through court order.

Important considerations regarding records retention:

Actual retention often exceeds minimum requirements, particularly for serious offenses.
Electronic records systems have expanded storage capabilities, allowing longer retention than paper-based systems.
Records may be transferred to microfilm or digital formats for permanent archiving.
Court orders may modify standard retention periods in specific cases.
Records subject to ongoing litigation holds must be retained regardless of standard schedules.

Individuals seeking expungement of criminal records must petition the court pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 971-995, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures for removing records from public access.