Warrant records in Iberia Parish, Louisiana are considered public records under the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants issued within the parish jurisdiction. The Louisiana Constitution, Article XII, Section 3, further reinforces this right by stating that "no person shall be denied the right to observe the deliberations of public bodies and examine public documents, except in cases established by law."
The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office and the 16th Judicial District Court maintain these warrant records as part of their official duties. Members of the public may access these records during normal business hours, subject to certain limitations established by state law. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:31, any person of the age of majority may inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record, except as otherwise prohibited by law.
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed or restricted if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, pursuant to La. R.S. 44:3. Additionally, warrants related to juvenile matters are generally confidential under the Louisiana Children's Code Art. 412, unless specifically authorized for release by the court.
Warrant records maintained by Iberia Parish authorities typically contain the following information:
In accordance with La. C.Cr.P. Art. 202, arrest warrants must be signed by a judge and must state the name of the person to be arrested or a description by which the person can be identified with reasonable certainty. Search warrants, governed by La. C.Cr.P. Art. 162, must particularly describe the person or place to be searched and the items to be seized.
Individuals seeking to verify the existence of warrants in Iberia Parish may utilize several no-cost methods:
The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office provides basic warrant information through in-person inquiries at their main office located at:
Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office 300 Iberia Street, Suite 120 New Iberia, LA 70560 (337) 369-3711 www.iberiaso.org
Requestors must provide proper identification and may be required to complete a public records request form pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32. The Sheriff's Office maintains public access terminals where visitors may conduct self-directed searches during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Additionally, the 16th Judicial District Court Clerk's Office maintains warrant information as part of their court records:
16th Judicial District Court Clerk's Office 300 Iberia Street, Suite 500 New Iberia, LA 70560 (337) 365-7282 www.16thjdc.org
Telephone inquiries regarding warrant status may be directed to the Sheriff's Office Warrants Division at (337) 369-3714. However, pursuant to departmental policy, only limited information may be provided via telephone, and in-person verification is recommended for complete information.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the unincorporated areas of Iberia Parish. Sheriff warrants are classified into several categories:
The Sheriff's Warrants Division maintains a dedicated unit of deputies who specialize in locating and apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants. This unit operates in coordination with other law enforcement agencies through the Louisiana Fugitive Task Force and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
Warrant service is conducted in accordance with La. C.Cr.P. Art. 224, which authorizes peace officers to use reasonable force when necessary to effect an arrest. The Sheriff's Office prioritizes warrant execution based on the severity of the alleged offense and potential public safety concerns.
As of 2025, individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Iberia Parish may utilize the following methods:
The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office maintains an online warrant search portal accessible through their official website. This system allows individuals to search by name and date of birth. However, pursuant to departmental policy, the online system may not display all active warrants, particularly those related to ongoing investigations or sensitive matters.
For definitive warrant information, individuals may:
Individuals with active warrants are advised that appearing at the Sheriff's Office may result in immediate arrest. Those wishing to resolve outstanding warrants should consider contacting the appropriate court or consulting legal counsel before appearing in person.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Iberia Parish requires specific procedures to ensure accurate information. Interested parties may:
When conducting a warrant search, requestors should provide the full legal name and date of birth of the subject. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:32(B), the custodian may require proper identification from any person requesting public records.
Third-party searches are permitted under Louisiana public records law, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests in accordance with La. R.S. 44:4.1.