St. Bernard County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Bernard County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in St. Bernard County may access publicly available information through StBernardParishRecords.us, which aggregates data related to arrests, court proceedings, and other criminal justice records. St. Bernard County, located in Louisiana, maintains criminal records through multiple agencies, including the parish court system, the Sheriff's Office, and the Louisiana State Police. Records accessible through these channels may include arrest logs, booking information, court case dispositions, and conviction histories, though completeness and availability vary by record type, age, and legal status.
Relevant record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case files
- Sentencing and disposition records
- Warrant information
- Sex offender registry entries
- Jail inmate rosters
- Probation and parole records
Criminal records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels available under current law.
1. County Court Records
The 34th Judicial District Court serves St. Bernard Parish and maintains case files for criminal proceedings filed within the parish. Members of the public may visit the courthouse in person to inspect records at the clerk's office. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
8201 W. Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043
Phone: (504) 271-3434
St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court
Public access terminals are available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office
The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and inmate information. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records.
St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office
2 Courthouse Square
Chalmette, LA 70043
Phone: (504) 271-2501
St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Louisiana Supreme Court's Louisiana Court Case Search portal allows members of the public to search for case information by party name, case number, or attorney. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject and select the appropriate parish and court type. Note that not all historical records are available online, and the portal reflects case-level data rather than complete document images.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of fingerprints and a completed request form. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
7919 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 925-6095
Louisiana State Police Criminal Records
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court at the address listed above. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Louisiana's Public Records Law, La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq., agencies are required to respond to public records requests within three business days.
What Is St. Bernard County Criminal Record
A criminal record in St. Bernard Parish is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing records generated from the point of arrest through final case disposition. Under Louisiana law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies as a case progresses through the justice system.
Key distinctions in record types include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Louisiana law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of imprisonment; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court case files.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under the age of 17 at the time of the offense are subject to confidentiality protections under La. Ch.C. art. 412 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
Agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in St. Bernard Parish include:
- St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking information
- 34th Judicial District Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing records
- Louisiana State Police — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident and arrest reports at the municipal level
Records may include charges filed, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole conditions. The 34th Judicial District Court serves as the primary repository for court-generated criminal records within the parish.
Are Criminal Records Public In St. Bernard County
Criminal records in St. Bernard Parish are public records under Louisiana's Public Records Law, La. R.S. § 44:1, which establishes a broad right of public access to government records. As stated in the statute, "Every person of the age of majority has the right to inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public absent a specific legal restriction.
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure, including:
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under La. Ch.C. art. 412
- Expunged records, which are removed from public access following a court order
- Records sealed by judicial order
- Ongoing criminal investigation files, which may be withheld to protect investigative integrity
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal confidentiality requirements
The Louisiana Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access and agency obligations under state law. The distinction between state and federal records is significant: federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not accessible through state or parish channels.
How To Find Criminal Records in St. Bernard County Online
Official County Resources
The St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court maintains an online case search portal where members of the public may search for criminal case information by party name or case number. The portal contains case-level data including filing dates, charges, and dispositions. Certain older records may not be available in the online system and require an in-person request.
The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office publishes current inmate and booking information on its website, allowing members of the public to search for individuals currently held in the parish jail.
State-Level Resources
The Louisiana Supreme Court's case search system provides access to appellate and district court records statewide. The Louisiana State Police administers the statewide criminal history background check system for formal record requests.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Be aware that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public-facing databases
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the digitization of court files may require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for official certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or other formal purposes.
Can You Search St. Bernard County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Louisiana law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under La. R.S. § 44:32, custodians of public records must allow inspection during regular business hours. Copying fees may apply for reproductions. In-person inspection is available at the St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court and the Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- St. Bernard Parish Clerk of Court case search — court case information
- St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office inmate search — current jail roster and booking records
- Louisiana Supreme Court case search — appellate and district court records
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Sheriff's Office and may be inspected in person at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $1.00–$5.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state background check (fingerprint-based) | $26.00 (Louisiana State Police) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee schedules are subject to change and members of the public should confirm current rates directly with the relevant agency.
What's Included in a St. Bernard County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of probation or parole, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Elements
Records may also include active or historical warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI entries, traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile records (confidential under La. Ch.C. art. 412)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where expungement has been granted
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may petition the maintaining agency or court for correction. Inaccurate records can affect employment, housing, and licensing outcomes, and individuals have the right to challenge incorrect information through established legal processes.
How Long Does St. Bernard County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Louisiana's records retention schedules, administered through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to adhere to these schedules under state mandate.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the state repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; may be subject to expungement after applicable waiting periods
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; eligible for expungement under La. C.Cr.P. art. 977
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained in court records with disposition noted; eligible for expungement
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines governed by La. Ch.C. art. 412
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- 34th Judicial District Court: Permanent retention for criminal case files per state court rules
- St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office: Jail and booking records retained per state schedule, with electronic records retained longer than paper records
- Louisiana State Police repository: Permanent retention for conviction records
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, but the electronic copy remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction permanently eliminates a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under La. C.Cr.P. art. 977, removes a record from public databases and restricts its use, though law enforcement agencies may retain access. Eligibility for expungement depends on the offense type, sentence served, and waiting period elapsed.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI under the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules. These records exist independently of parish and state records.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely absent expungement. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though this limitation does not apply to positions with salaries above certain thresholds. Professional licensing boards in Louisiana may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of record age. Even if a parish agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to a valid court order.