St. Tammany County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in St. Tammany County
Arrest records in St. Tammany County are considered public information under Louisiana's Public Records Law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:1-41. 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 St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties. Under current Louisiana law, members of the public have the legal right to request and review these records, subject to certain limitations and exemptions. It is important to note that arrest records differ from conviction records in several significant ways:
- Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that a crime was committed
- Conviction records indicate that an individual was found guilty of a crime through legal proceedings
- An arrest does not constitute proof of guilt and individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty
Certain arrest record information may be exempt from disclosure pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:3, which protects records related to pending criminal investigations, juvenile records, and information that would compromise ongoing law enforcement activities.
What's in St. Tammany County Arrest Records
St. Tammany County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Home address or last known residence
- Identifying numbers (driver's license, state ID, or Social Security Number)
- Fingerprints and, in most cases, photographs (mugshots)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Circumstances leading to the arrest
- Whether the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant or probable cause
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony)
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing authority
- Date warrant was issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Booking facility location
- Booking officer identification
- Property inventory taken during booking
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount set
- Bond type (cash, surety, property)
- Whether bond was posted
- Bond conditions imposed
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case/docket number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Name of assigned judge
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility where individual is being held
- Expected release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior criminal history
- Risk assessment scores
- Medical screening information
- Special custody requirements
How To Look Up Arrest Records in St. Tammany County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Tammany County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for requesting and accessing arrest records:
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Submit a formal public records request to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the online public records request portal.
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Visit the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to submit a request in person:
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office - Records Division
300 Brownswitch Road
Slidell, LA 70458
(985) 726-7700
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office
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Complete the Public Records Request Form, which requires:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific information about the arrest record being sought (name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest)
- Purpose of the request (optional but may expedite processing)
- Preferred method of receiving records (in-person pickup, mail, or electronic delivery)
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Present valid government-issued photo identification when submitting requests in person or when picking up records.
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Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying. Current fees are:
- $0.25 per page for standard copies
- $5.00 for certified copies
- Additional fees may apply for extensive searches or specialized records
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Allow for processing time, which typically ranges from 3-5 business days for standard requests. Complex requests may require additional time as permitted under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:35.
How To Find St. Tammany County Arrest Records Online
St. Tammany County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests. The following online methods are currently available:
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Access the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster, which provides information about individuals currently in custody. This resource is updated regularly and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website.
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Utilize the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court's online records system to search for criminal case information related to arrests. The system provides access to court dockets, case status, and scheduled hearings:
St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court
701 N. Columbia Street
Covington, LA 70433
(985) 809-8700
St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court
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Submit an electronic public records request through the St. Tammany Parish Government website. This portal allows users to specify the exact records needed and track the status of their request.
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Search the Louisiana State Police Criminal History Repository for statewide arrest records. This resource requires registration and payment of applicable fees:
Louisiana State Police - Bureau of Criminal Identification
7919 Independence Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 925-6095
Louisiana State Police
- Check third-party public records aggregators that compile arrest information from multiple sources. Users should note that these services may charge fees and information may not be as current or accurate as official government sources.
When searching online, requestors should provide as much specific information as possible, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to ensure accurate results.
How To Search St. Tammany County Arrest Records for Free?
St. Tammany County residents and other interested parties can access certain arrest record information without incurring fees through several publicly available resources:
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Visit the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office website to view the current inmate roster. This free resource provides basic information about individuals currently in custody, including name, booking date, charges, and bond information.
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Attend public court proceedings at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center. Court calendars are posted daily, and most criminal proceedings are open to public observation:
St. Tammany Parish Justice Center
701 N. Columbia Street
Covington, LA 70433
(985) 809-5500
22nd Judicial District Court
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Access public terminals at the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court's office. These terminals provide free on-site access to court records related to criminal cases, including information about arrests, charges, and case disposition.
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Review the Sheriff's Office daily booking reports, which are typically available for public inspection at no cost. These reports contain information about recent arrests and are updated regularly.
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Consult local newspaper archives, which often report on significant arrests and criminal cases. The St. Tammany Parish Library maintains archives of local publications that can be accessed free of charge:
St. Tammany Parish Library - Covington Branch
310 W. 21st Avenue
Covington, LA 70433
(985) 893-6280
St. Tammany Parish Library
While these resources provide free access to basic arrest information, more comprehensive records or certified copies may require payment of statutory fees as established by Louisiana law.
How To Delete Arrest Records in St. Tammany County
Under Louisiana law, individuals may petition for the expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access) of arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 971-995.
Expungement and sealing are distinct legal remedies:
- Expungement involves the physical destruction or removal of records from public access
- Sealing restricts access to records but preserves them for limited official purposes
- Neither process completely eliminates all traces of an arrest from all government databases
Eligibility for expungement in St. Tammany County typically requires one of the following conditions:
- The arrest did not lead to formal charges
- Charges were dismissed or refused by the prosecutor
- The case resulted in an acquittal or finding of not guilty
- The conviction was set aside or pardoned
- The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program
- Specific waiting periods have elapsed following completion of sentence for eligible offenses
To initiate the expungement process:
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Obtain and complete the appropriate expungement forms from the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court or the Louisiana State Police website.
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File the petition with the court that handled the original case:
22nd Judicial District Court
701 N. Columbia Street
Covington, LA 70433
(985) 809-5500
22nd Judicial District Court
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Pay the required filing fees, which currently range from $550-$650 depending on the type of expungement.
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Serve copies of the petition on the District Attorney's Office, the arresting agency, and the Louisiana State Police.
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Attend the scheduled hearing if the court deems it necessary.
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If granted, ensure the expungement order is properly distributed to all agencies maintaining records of the arrest.
Certain serious offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and domestic violence convictions, are generally ineligible for expungement under current Louisiana law.
What Happens After Arrest in St. Tammany County?
Following an arrest in St. Tammany County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process that includes several distinct phases:
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Booking Process: Upon arrival at the St. Tammany Parish Jail, arrestees undergo booking procedures, including:
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Collection of personal information
- Medical screening
- Property inventory
- Initial risk assessment
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Initial Appearance: Within 72 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a judge or commissioner who:
- Informs them of their constitutional rights
- Reviews probable cause for the arrest
- Sets initial bail conditions
- Determines eligibility for public defender services
- Schedules subsequent court dates
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Charging Decision: The St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office reviews the case and determines whether to:
- File formal charges
- Modify the original charges
- Decline prosecution
- Refer the case for diversion programs
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Arraignment: If formal charges are filed, defendants appear in court to:
- Hear the formal charges against them
- Enter an initial plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Address bail conditions
- Receive discovery materials
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Pre-trial Proceedings: Before trial, several hearings may occur, including:
- Status conferences
- Motion hearings
- Plea negotiations
- Evidence suppression hearings
- Trial preparation
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Trial or Plea Resolution: Cases are resolved through:
- Negotiated plea agreements
- Bench trials (decided by a judge)
- Jury trials for eligible cases
- Dismissal of charges
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Sentencing: If convicted, defendants receive sentences that may include:
- Incarceration in parish jail or state prison
- Probation supervision
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution to victims
- Community service
- Treatment programs
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Post-Conviction: Following conviction, individuals may pursue:
- Appeal of the conviction or sentence
- Post-conviction relief
- Parole or early release (for eligible cases)
- Expungement (after applicable waiting periods)
Throughout this process, arrest records are maintained and updated to reflect the current status of the case.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in St. Tammany County?
St. Tammany County maintains arrest records in accordance with Louisiana's public records retention requirements, primarily governed by Louisiana Revised Statutes § 44:36. This statute establishes the framework for how long various public records, including arrest records, must be preserved.
The retention periods for arrest records vary based on several factors:
- Arrest records related to felony cases are typically maintained permanently
- Misdemeanor arrest records are generally retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Arrest records for cases resulting in no charges or dismissals may be retained for 5-7 years
- Juvenile arrest records are subject to different retention schedules and confidentiality provisions
Different agencies within St. Tammany County maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:
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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office maintains booking records, arrest reports, and investigative files according to departmental policies and state requirements.
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The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court preserves court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings in accordance with judicial retention schedules.
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The Louisiana State Police maintains a central repository of arrest fingerprint records and criminal history information that is preserved indefinitely.
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The St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office retains prosecution files according to case type and disposition.
These extended retention periods serve several important public purposes:
- Preservation of evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintenance of accurate criminal history information for law enforcement
- Documentation for background checks and security clearances
- Historical and statistical record-keeping
- Accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system
Even when physical records reach the end of their retention period, digital records and database entries may be maintained for longer periods or indefinitely.
How to Find Mugshots in St. Tammany County
Mugshots, the official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest, are maintained as part of arrest records in St. Tammany County. These images serve as visual identification of arrested individuals and become part of the official record.
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots typically consist of front-facing and profile (side) photographs taken under standardized conditions. These images capture the appearance of the arrested individual at the time of booking and include:
- Full facial features
- Identifying characteristics such as scars, tattoos, or birthmarks
- A booking identification number or placard
- Date of booking
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In St. Tammany County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office - Records Division
300 Brownswitch Road
Slidell, LA 70458
(985) 726-7700
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office
Finding Mugshots
To obtain official copies of mugshots, interested parties may:
- Submit a public records request specifically requesting booking photographs to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office
- Include the full name and date of birth of the individual, and if possible, the date of arrest
- Pay applicable fees for reproduction of photographs
- Present valid identification when requesting or collecting mugshots
Can They Be Found Online
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office currently publishes limited booking information online, including mugshots of recently arrested individuals, through their inmate roster. This information is typically available for a limited time while individuals remain in custody. Historical mugshots may not be available through online resources.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
For official copies of mugshots, particularly for older arrests, individuals should:
- Submit a formal public records request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Specify the exact mugshot being requested with as much identifying information as possible
- Explain the purpose of the request (though not legally required)
- Pay applicable reproduction fees
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots may be restricted in certain circumstances:
- Juvenile arrest mugshots are generally confidential
- Mugshots related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
- Expunged arrest records and associated mugshots are removed from public access
- Certain sensitive cases may have restricted access under judicial order
Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that commercial websites may publish mugshots obtained from public records, sometimes requiring payment for removal, a practice that has been subject to increasing regulation in Louisiana.