Warrant records are public documents in St. James Parish, Louisiana, pursuant to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.). The Act defines public records as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, or other materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that are used, prepared, possessed, or retained for use in the conduct, transaction, or performance of any business, transaction, work, duty, or function performed by or under the authority of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
Members of the public may access warrant information through designated channels established by parish law enforcement and judicial authorities. The St. James Parish Clerk of Court maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to preserve judicial documents. 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.
The transparency mandated by the Louisiana Public Records Act serves multiple public interests, including governmental accountability and public safety. Citizens seeking information about active warrants may submit formal requests to the appropriate parish agencies, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal identifying information as provided under La. R.S. 44:3.
Warrant records maintained by St. James Parish authorities typically contain the following information:
The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office and the 23rd Judicial District Court collaborate in the maintenance of these records. Warrant information is entered into the Louisiana Criminal Justice Information System (LACJIS) and may be shared with other law enforcement agencies through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database when appropriate.
St. James Parish residents may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by parish authorities:
In-person inquiries may be conducted at the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office located at:
St. James Parish Sheriff's Office 5800 Highway 44 Convent, LA 70723 (225) 562-2200 www.stjamessheriff.com
Office hours for public record inquiries are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding parish holidays.
Additionally, the St. James Parish Clerk of Court maintains public access terminals at the courthouse where citizens may search court records, including warrant information:
St. James Parish Clerk of Court 5800 Highway 44 Convent, LA 70723 (225) 562-2270 www.stjamesclerk.com
Individuals seeking warrant information must provide proper identification and may be required to complete a formal records request form pursuant to parish procedures. While basic searches are provided without charge, fees may apply for printed copies of documents in accordance with La. R.S. 44:32.
The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within parish boundaries. Sheriff warrants in St. James Parish are classified according to their purpose and scope:
The execution of warrants falls under the authority of the Sheriff as established in La. R.S. 13:5539, which designates the Sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer of the parish. Deputies assigned to the Warrants Division coordinate with patrol officers and specialized units to locate and apprehend wanted individuals.
The Sheriff's Office maintains a computerized warrant tracking system that interfaces with state and national databases. This system enables real-time verification of warrant status during routine law enforcement encounters and specialized operations.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in St. James Parish may utilize several official channels:
The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office maintains a warrant verification service accessible through their Records Division. Persons inquiring about their own warrant status must appear in person with government-issued photo identification at:
St. James Parish Sheriff's Records Division 5800 Highway 44 Convent, LA 70723 (225) 562-2200
Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The 23rd Judicial District Court Clerk's Office provides case status information that may include warrant details:
23rd Judicial District Court 5800 Highway 44 Convent, LA 70723 (225) 562-2270
Court records are available for public inspection Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. Art. 202, warrants remain in effect until executed or recalled by judicial order. Individuals with active warrants are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to resolve their legal matters.
St. James Parish maintains multiple access points for outstanding warrant verification:
The Sheriff's Office Warrants Division processes inquiries regarding outstanding warrants and can be contacted directly at:
St. James Parish Sheriff's Warrants Division 5800 Highway 44 Convent, LA 70723 (225) 562-2277
Inquiries require proper identification and are processed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The St. James Parish Criminal Records Department maintains a database of active warrants that may be searched by authorized personnel:
St. James Parish Criminal Records Department 5800 Highway 44 Convent, LA 70723 (225) 562-2260
Third-party inquiries about outstanding warrants are subject to restrictions under La. R.S. 44:3, which exempts certain law enforcement records from public disclosure when release might compromise investigations or endanger individuals.
Law enforcement agencies throughout Louisiana participate in information-sharing networks that enable cross-jurisdictional warrant verification. The Louisiana Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (LLETS) facilitates this exchange pursuant to interagency agreements and state regulations.