Orleans Public Records / Orleans County Arrest Records

Orleans County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Orleans County

Arrest records in Orleans Parish (County), Louisiana are considered public records under the Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1 et seq. This statute establishes that records created or maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, are generally accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties in operating the parish detention facilities. Under current Louisiana law, these records are presumptively public, though certain information may be redacted or restricted based on specific exemptions.

It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records:

Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. These records exist regardless of whether charges were filed or the individual was convicted.
Conviction records document that an individual was found guilty of a crime through a court proceeding.

In Orleans Parish, both types of records are generally public, though access to certain information may be restricted in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3, which provides specific exemptions for records related to pending criminal investigations and certain sensitive information.

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) maintains its own records management system for arrests and provides public access to NOPD data and records in accordance with state public records laws.

What's in Orleans County Arrest Records

Orleans Parish arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the parish. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name (first, middle, last)
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
Address at time of arrest
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Reason for arrest
Use of force information (if applicable)

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Statute or ordinance citation
Charge description
Multiple charges (if applicable)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing court
Date issued
Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)

Booking Information:

Booking number
Date and time of booking
Booking facility
Processing officer information

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond amount
Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond status (posted, denied, pending)
Conditions of release (if applicable)

Court Information:

Court of jurisdiction
Case number
Scheduled court appearances
Judge assigned

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Expected release date (if applicable)
Facility housing the detainee

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Probation/parole status
Immigration holds
Medical alerts
Special housing requirements
Property inventory

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of its detainee management system, which allows for tracking individuals throughout their interaction with the criminal justice system.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Orleans County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Orleans Parish may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in place for obtaining arrest records:

Online Search via Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Website
- Navigate to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office detainee search portal
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- Review the results for basic custody information
- Note that online searches provide limited information compared to official record requests
In-Person Requests at Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
- Visit the Records Division during regular business hours
- Complete a public records request form
- Provide identification and specify the records being requested
- Pay applicable fees for document reproduction
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
2800 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 202-9339
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Written Requests by Mail
- Submit a written request including:
  - Full name of the subject
  - Date of birth or approximate age
  - Date of arrest (if known)
  - Your contact information
  - Purpose of request
- Mail to the Records Division at the address above
- Include payment for applicable fees
New Orleans Police Department Records
- For arrest reports generated by NOPD, submit a police report request
- Specify the item number or date and location of the incident
- Provide identification information for the subject
New Orleans Police Department
1615 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 658-5080
New Orleans Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Clerk of Criminal Court
- For arrest records that have resulted in formal charges
- Request case files that contain arrest information
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Clerk's Office
2700 Tulane Avenue, Room 104
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 658-9000
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to Louisiana Public Records Law, agencies must respond to requests within three business days. Fees for copies typically range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page, with additional charges for certified copies or extensive searches.

How To Find Orleans County Arrest Records Online

Orleans Parish provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking electronic access to arrest information:

Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Detainee Search
- The OPSO Detainee Search provides real-time information on currently detained individuals
- Search by name or booking number
- Results include:
  - Basic identifying information
  - Current charges
  - Bond information
  - Court dates
  - Housing location
- This system primarily shows current detainees, not historical arrest records
Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal Court Docket Master
- Access the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court website
- Navigate to the case information section
- Search by defendant name or case number
- Records include arrest information for cases that have been formally charged
- Documents may require registration and fees for full access
New Orleans Police Department Data Portal
- The NOPD maintains a public data portal with information on police activities
- Access arrest logs, incident reports, and crime statistics
- Data can be filtered by date, location, and offense type
- This resource provides aggregate data rather than individual arrest records
Louisiana State Police Criminal History Repository
- For official criminal history records that include arrests statewide
- Requires registration and payment of fees
- Provides comprehensive arrest history for an individual
- Available at Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
Third-Party Background Check Services
- Commercial services aggregate public records including arrests
- Typically require subscription fees
- May not contain complete or up-to-date information
- Should not be considered official records

When accessing arrest records online, users should be aware that information may be incomplete or outdated. For the most accurate and comprehensive records, direct requests to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office or the New Orleans Police Department are recommended.

How To Search Orleans County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access certain Orleans Parish arrest records without incurring fees through several available resources. The following methods provide free access to arrest information:

Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Online Detainee Search
- The OPSO provides a free online detainee search tool that allows public access to current custody information
- Search by name to locate individuals currently in custody
- Information includes charges, bond amounts, and next court dates
- This resource is limited to current detainees and does not include historical arrest records
New Orleans Police Department Data Dashboard
- NOPD maintains a public data portal with free access to various crime statistics and reports
- Users can view arrest trends, incident reports, and other law enforcement data
- Information is typically presented in aggregate form rather than individual arrest records
- Updated regularly with current information
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Public Access Terminal
- Physical terminals located at the courthouse provide free access to case information
- Includes arrest information for cases that have proceeded to court
- Available during regular business hours at:
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
2700 Tulane Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 658-9000
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Public Library Resources
- New Orleans Public Library branches offer free internet access
- Library staff can assist with navigating public records websites
- Some branches maintain local history and newspaper archives that may contain arrest information
Weekly Incident Reports
- The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office publishes weekly incident reports on their website
- These reports include significant arrests and incidents within detention facilities
- Available at no cost to the public

It is important to note that while basic searches are free, comprehensive arrest records or certified copies typically require payment of fees as authorized under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:32. Additionally, in-person inspection of public records is available at no cost during regular business hours at the maintaining agency, though appointments may be required.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Orleans County

In Orleans Parish, individuals seeking to remove arrest records from public access have several legal remedies available under Louisiana law. The process depends on the disposition of the case and involves either expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access) of records.

Expungement vs. Sealing:

Expungement is the legal process of removing arrests and convictions from public records
Sealing restricts access to records without completely destroying them
In Louisiana, most successful expungements result in records being sealed rather than destroyed

Eligibility for Expungement: Under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 971 et seq., expungement may be available in the following circumstances:

Arrests without prosecution:
- No charges filed within time limitations
- Charges dismissed or refused by the district attorney
- Acquittal after trial
Misdemeanor convictions:
- Generally eligible five years after completion of sentence
- No felony convictions during waiting period
Felony convictions:
- Limited eligibility for certain non-violent offenses
- Ten-year waiting period after completion of sentence
- No subsequent convictions during waiting period
First-time drug offenses:
- Special provisions for certain drug possession convictions
- Successful completion of drug diversion programs

Expungement Process in Orleans Parish:

Obtain necessary documentation:
- Certified court minutes
- Background check from Louisiana State Police
- Bill of information or indictment
- Disposition documentation
Complete expungement forms:
- Forms available from the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Clerk's Office
- Different forms required based on case disposition
File petition with the court:
- Submit completed forms to the clerk's office
- Pay filing fees (approximately $550 total)
- Fee waivers available for indigent applicants
Service to agencies:
- Copies must be served to:
  - District Attorney's Office
  - Arresting agency
  - Louisiana State Police
Court hearing:
- If objections are filed, a contradictory hearing will be scheduled
- If no objections, the judge may grant expungement without a hearing
Implementation of expungement order:
- If granted, court issues an order to all agencies
- Agencies must comply within time periods specified by law

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Clerk's Office
2700 Tulane Avenue, Room 104
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 658-9000
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is complex and may benefit from legal assistance. The Orleans Public Defenders Office or local legal aid organizations may provide guidance for eligible individuals.

What Happens After Arrest in Orleans County?

Following an arrest in Orleans Parish, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Louisiana law. This process typically progresses through several distinct phases:

Arrest and Booking
- Law enforcement officers take the individual into custody
- Transportation to Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office booking facility
- Collection of personal information, fingerprints, and photographs
- Property inventory and medical screening
- Initial charge determination based on officer reports
Magistrate Hearing/First Appearance
- Occurs within 48 hours of arrest (typically within 24 hours)
- Judge reviews probable cause for the arrest
- Initial bail determination
- Appointment of counsel for indigent defendants
- Notification of charges
Bail Consideration
- Judge sets bail based on:
  - Severity of charges
  - Criminal history
  - Flight risk
  - Community ties
  - Public safety concerns
- Options include:
  - Release on recognizance (ROR)
  - Cash bail
  - Commercial surety bond
  - Property bond
  - Detention without bail for certain serious offenses
Charging Decision
- For misdemeanors: Bill of information filed by District Attorney
- For felonies: Case presented to grand jury or preliminary hearing held
- District Attorney decides whether to:
  - Accept charges as presented
  - Modify charges
  - Decline prosecution (nolle prosequi)
Arraignment
- Formal reading of charges
- Defendant enters plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Trial date may be set
- Discovery process begins
Pre-trial Proceedings
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Filing and hearing of motions (e.g., motion to suppress evidence)
- Plea negotiations
- Pre-trial conferences
Trial
- Jury selection (for jury trials)
- Presentation of evidence and testimony
- Closing arguments
- Jury deliberation or judge's decision (bench trial)
- Verdict: guilty, not guilty, or mistrial
Sentencing (if convicted)
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements
- Judge imposes sentence based on:
  - Statutory guidelines
  - Criminal history
  - Severity of offense
  - Mitigating/aggravating factors
Post-Conviction
- Right to appeal within specified timeframe
- Possible post-conviction relief proceedings
- Execution of sentence (incarceration, probation, fines, etc.)

Throughout this process, individuals are detained at Orleans Justice Center, operated by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, unless released on bail or other pre-trial release mechanisms. The entire process from arrest to final disposition typically takes several months, though complex cases may extend significantly longer.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Orleans County?

Arrest records in Orleans Parish are maintained according to Louisiana's public records retention requirements, which establish minimum timeframes for preserving various categories of law enforcement records. The retention of these records is governed by Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:36, which establishes general requirements for public records preservation.

Standard Retention Periods:

Active Criminal Records
- Arrest reports for unsolved felonies: Permanent retention
- Arrest reports for solved felonies: Minimum 10 years after final disposition
- Misdemeanor arrests: Minimum 3 years after final disposition
- Juvenile arrest records: Generally until the individual reaches age 17, with exceptions for serious offenses
Booking Information
- Booking photographs (mugshots): Minimum 10 years
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention
- Booking logs and registers: Permanent retention
Investigative Records
- Homicide investigations: Permanent retention
- Sexual assault investigations: Minimum 30 years
- Other felony investigations: Minimum 10 years
- Misdemeanor investigations: Minimum 3 years
Court Records Related to Arrests
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: Minimum 10 years
- Court minutes: Permanent retention

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and the New Orleans Police Department maintain their own records management systems in compliance with these state requirements. Additionally, electronic records management systems have enabled many agencies to retain records indefinitely, even beyond the minimum required periods.

It is important to note that different agencies within Orleans Parish may have varying retention schedules:

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office maintains booking and custody records
The New Orleans Police Department maintains arrest reports and investigative files
The Orleans Parish Criminal District Court maintains court records related to arrests

Even after the official retention period expires, arrest information may persist in various databases, background check systems, and third-party aggregators. The only definitive way to remove arrest records from public access is through the formal expungement process as provided by Louisiana law.

Records retention serves several important public purposes:

Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
Maintains statistical data for crime analysis
Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
Provides historical documentation of criminal justice activities

How to Find Mugshots in Orleans County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. In Orleans Parish, these photographs serve as visual identification records of individuals processed into the criminal justice system. Typically, mugshots include front-facing and profile (side) views of the arrestee, often with identifying information such as a booking number visible in the image.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In Orleans Parish, booking photographs are primarily maintained by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office as part of their detainee records system. These photographs are considered public records under Louisiana law, though access may be restricted in certain circumstances. The photographs are stored in:

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office records management system
The Orleans Parish Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)
Case files maintained by the District Attorney's Office (for prosecuted cases)

Finding Mugshots

Members of the public seeking access to booking photographs in Orleans Parish have several options:

Direct Request to Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
- Submit a public records request specifically for booking photographs
- Provide the individual's name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest
- Pay applicable fees for reproduction
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division
2800 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 202-9339
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Criminal Court Clerk's Office
- For cases that have proceeded to court, mugshots may be included in court files
- Request access to case files by case number or defendant name

Can Mugshots Be Found Online?

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office does not currently publish a comprehensive online database of booking photographs accessible to the general public. However, limited mugshot information may be available through:

The OPSO Detainee Search for currently incarcerated individuals
Media reports on high-profile arrests
Third-party websites that aggregate mugshots from public sources

It should be noted that Louisiana has enacted legislation (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:4.1) that places certain restrictions on commercial websites that publish mugshots and charge fees for removal.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

To obtain official copies of booking photographs, individuals should:

Complete a public records request form specifying the booking photograph
Provide identification and relationship to the subject (if requesting on behalf of another)
Submit the request in person, by mail, or through designated electronic channels
Pay applicable reproduction fees (typically $5-25 per photograph)

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to booking photographs may be restricted in certain circumstances:

Juvenile arrests (under age 17)
Expunged or sealed records
Ongoing sensitive investigations
Cases involving certain protected victims
Records subject to court-ordered confidentiality

Individuals whose mugshots have been published may have remedies available through the expungement process if they qualify under Louisiana law.

Lookup Arrest Records in Orleans County

Orleans Parish Sheriff Office

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Orleans Parish Detainee Search

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Orleans Parish Arrest Records Database

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