Orleans County Criminal Records

What Is Orleans County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Orleans Parish (County) are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:3, which establishes parameters for criminal justice information management within the state.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories with important legal differences:

• Arrest Records vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense. Under Louisiana law, arrest records without subsequent convictions may have different disclosure rules.

• Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office maintains records for both categories.

• Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18 years of age are generally sealed and subject to stricter confidentiality protections under Louisiana Children's Code Article 412.

• Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current enforcement actions, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Orleans Parish:

Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
2800 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
504-202-9339
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
2700 Tulane Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
504-658-9000
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court

New Orleans Police Department
715 South Broad Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
504-658-5000
New Orleans Police Department

Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections
504 Mayflower Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-342-9711
Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections

Orleans Parish criminal records typically include documentation of arrests, bookings, charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing, and probation/parole information. The Criminal Courts Division of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office provides security and support services within the court system where many of these records originate.

Are Criminal Records Public In Orleans County

Criminal records in Orleans Parish are generally considered public records under the Louisiana Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:1 et seq. This statute establishes that "all books, records, writings, accounts, letters and letter books, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers...shall be public records."

However, the law includes important exceptions and limitations regarding criminal records accessibility. According to Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:3, certain records maintained by law enforcement agencies may be exempt from disclosure, particularly:

• Records pertaining to pending criminal investigations
• Records containing confidential informant information
• Records that would compromise ongoing prosecutions
• Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
• Records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court

Adult conviction records are generally accessible to the public, as are court proceedings unless specifically sealed by judicial order. The Orleans Parish Criminal Justice Committee provides oversight regarding criminal justice information in the parish, including jail population data.

It is important to note that while many criminal records are technically public, practical access may vary depending on the specific record type and the maintaining agency. Some records may require formal requests, payment of fees, or demonstration of legitimate interest before access is granted.

Under current Louisiana law, certain criminal records may become eligible for expungement after specified time periods, at which point they are removed from public access. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections maintains guidelines regarding which records may be expunged and the procedures for doing so.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Orleans County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Orleans Parish may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and its maintaining agency.

For records maintained by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office:

1. Submit a public records request through the OPSO website using the online request portal
2. Provide specific information about the record being sought (name, date of birth, case number if available)
3. Indicate the purpose of the request
4. Submit any required fees for document reproduction
5. Allow for processing time as specified in the acknowledgment

For court records from Orleans Parish Criminal District Court:

1. Visit the Clerk of Court's office during regular business hours (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday)
2. Complete a records request form specifying the case number or defendant name
3. Present valid identification
4. Pay applicable search and copy fees
5. Receive available records or instructions for follow-up

For police reports and arrest records:

1. Access the City of New Orleans police reports portal
2. Complete the online request form with incident details
3. Submit payment for any applicable fees
4. Receive notification when records are available for pickup or electronic delivery

For comprehensive criminal history information:

1. Submit fingerprints to the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
2. Complete the required authorization forms
3. Pay the established fee for background check services
4. Receive results by mail or secure electronic delivery

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Detainee Search provides current information about individuals in custody, including booking information and charges. This resource is updated regularly and available without charge.

Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:32, agencies must respond to records requests within three business days, though complex requests may require additional time. Requestors may be required to pay reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.

How To Find Criminal Records in Orleans County Online?

Orleans Parish offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital portals provide varying levels of detail and cover different aspects of the criminal justice system.

The primary online resources include:

1. Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Detainee Search

   • Available at OPSO Detainee Search
   • Provides current custody information including:
     • Inmate name and booking information
     • Current charges
     • Bond amounts
     • Court dates
   • Updated in real-time
   • No registration required
   • No search fees

2. Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Docket Master

   • Accessible through the court's website
   • Requires case number or defendant name
   • Displays:
     • Case status
     • Scheduled hearings
     • Filed documents
     • Judge assignments
     • Attorney information
   • Updated daily on business days
   • No registration required for basic searches

3. Louisiana Department of Corrections Offender Locator

   • Available through the DOC website
   • Provides information on individuals currently under DOC supervision
   • Includes:
     • Current facility
     • Conviction information
     • Sentence details
     • Possible release dates
   • Updated weekly
   • No registration required

4. Louisiana State Police Background Check System

   • Available at LSP Internet Background Checks
   • Provides official criminal history information
   • Requires:
     • Registration
     • Payment of fees
     • Subject consent in most cases
   • Results include statewide arrest and conviction data

5. New Orleans City Council Criminal Justice Committee Dashboard

   • Available through the committee website
   • Provides aggregate data on jail population and criminal justice metrics
   • Updated monthly
   • No registration required

Users should note that while these online resources provide significant information, some records remain available only through in-person requests. These include older court records not yet digitized, juvenile records (with appropriate authorization), and certain police investigative files.

Can You Search Orleans County Criminal Records for Free?

Orleans Parish provides several options for free access to criminal records, though the scope and detail level may vary compared to fee-based services. Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:32 establishes that "the custodian shall allow any person to examine public records at reasonable times during regular office hours," though agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies or extensive searches.

Free resources for criminal records include:

In-Person Inspection Options:

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

  Visitors may inspect public court records without charge during regular business hours. Staff assistance for locating specific cases is provided, though extensive research assistance may incur fees.

• Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division
  2800 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70119
  504-202-9339
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  Limited public records may be inspected without charge, though document reproduction requires payment of established fees.

Free Online Resources:

• The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Detainee Search provides free access to current custody information, including charges and booking details.

• The Orleans Parish Criminal District Court offers limited free case information through its online docket system, though document downloads may incur fees.

• The New Orleans City Council Criminal Justice Committee maintains a dashboard with jail population statistics and other criminal justice metrics available without charge.

• The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections provides a free offender locator service for individuals currently under state supervision.

While these free resources provide valuable information, they typically do not include comprehensive criminal history reports. Complete background checks through the Louisiana State Police require payment of established fees pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute § 15:587, which authorizes the bureau to "charge a reasonable fee" for such services.

What's Included in a Orleans County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Orleans Parish typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the record type and maintaining agency, but generally includes:

Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and any known aliases
• Date of birth and age
• Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
• Mugshot or booking photograph when available
• Last known address
• State Identification (SID) number
• FBI number (if applicable)
• Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency and officer
• Booking number and facility
• Charges filed at arrest (may differ from formal charges)
• Bail or bond information
• Detention facility location

Court Case Information:

• Case number and court of jurisdiction
• Filing date and case type
• Formal charges filed by prosecutor
• Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
• Plea information
• Defense attorney information
• Prosecutor information
• Judge assignment

Disposition Information:

• Verdict or case outcome
• Conviction date (if applicable)
• Sentencing details including:
  • Incarceration length
  • Probation terms
  • Fines and court costs
  • Restitution orders
  • Special conditions
• Appeal information
• Probation/parole status and conditions

Additional Information:

• Active warrants or pending charges
• Protective or restraining orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• DUI/DWI history
• Traffic violations (if criminally charged)
• Probation/parole violations
• Participation in diversion or specialty court programs

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office maintains booking and custody records, while the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court maintains case proceedings and dispositions. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections maintains records for individuals sentenced to state supervision.

Criminal records in Orleans Parish are subject to the provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:3, which establishes guidelines for record maintenance and accessibility.

How Long Does Orleans County Keep Criminal Records?

Orleans Parish maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by Louisiana state law and local administrative policies. The duration of record retention varies based on record type, offense severity, and case disposition.

Arrest Records:

• Felony arrests resulting in conviction: Permanent retention
• Felony arrests without conviction: Maintained for 10 years from arrest date
• Misdemeanor arrests resulting in conviction: Maintained for 5 years after completion of sentence
• Misdemeanor arrests without conviction: Maintained for 3 years from arrest date

Court Records:

• Felony case files: Permanent retention
• Misdemeanor case files: Maintained for 10 years after case closure
• Traffic violations: Maintained for 3 years after case closure
• Court minutes and dockets: Permanent retention
• Probation records: Maintained for 5 years after completion of probation

Incarceration Records:

• Jail booking and custody records: Maintained for 10 years after release
• Inmate medical records: Maintained for 7 years after release
• Disciplinary reports: Maintained for 5 years after incident

These retention periods are established pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:36, which states that "all persons and public bodies having custody or control of any public record...shall exercise diligence and care in preserving the public record for the period or periods of time specified for such public records."

It is important to note that while records may be maintained for these periods, their public accessibility may be limited by expungement orders, record sealing, or other legal restrictions. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections maintains guidelines regarding record retention and accessibility.

Records that have been expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access, though certain agencies may retain limited information for law enforcement purposes under restricted access protocols.

Lookup Criminal Records in Orleans County

Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office

Orleans Parish Detainee Search

New Orleans Police Reports

Orleans Parish Court Services

New Orleans Criminal Justice Committee

Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections

Louisiana State Police Background Checks

Louisiana Offender Information

Louisiana Public Information Resources

Louisiana Criminal History Laws