Criminal records in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, are available through several channels. StLandryParishCourt.org allows searching for publicly accessible information about criminal cases in the parish. Additionally, records can be obtained through official state court systems, law enforcement agencies — including the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office — and the Clerk of Court's Office in Opelousas. Below are practical instructions on searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this parish.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Landry
There are several ways to find criminal records. To start, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
- DPS&C number (for state-level inmates)
Online Search
- StLandryParishCourt.org — start here to search for publicly accessible information about parish criminal cases. Enter the name or case number in the appropriate search field.
- State Inmate Search — the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections provides an Imprisoned Person Locator. You need the DPS&C number or the person's full name for the search. You can also call 225-383-4580.
- Louisiana State Police — LSP processes background check requests at the state level, including fingerprinting.
In-Person Visit
The St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court maintains an archive of criminal cases heard by the district court. Visit the office during business hours to use public access terminals or request assistance from staff.
Written Request
Send a written request to the Clerk of Court's address with the suspect's full name, approximate case date, and case number (if known). Include a copy of your ID and payment of the fee. For state-level background checks, submit the request to the Louisiana State Police with a completed form and fingerprints.
Search St. Landry Criminal Cases by Case Number
A criminal case number in Louisiana typically consists of several elements indicating the type of case, the year of filing, and the sequential number. The typical format for the St. Landry Parish district court looks like this:
- Letter prefix — indicates the type of case (e.g., "CR" for criminal cases)
- Year — two-digit or four-digit year of registration
- Sequential number — unique sequential number within the year
For example, a number like CR-2024-01234 indicates a criminal case registered in 2024 under sequential number 01234. If you know the exact number, the search will be much faster — results will be definitive without the need to filter by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Landry
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to a specific article of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (e.g., La. R.S. 14:98 — DWI) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during the case proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case has been filed, but no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is actively being heard in court
- Disposed — the court has issued a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions have been completed
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first official presentation of charges; the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial — parties discuss agreements, file motions
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or jury verdict
- Review — review of probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict — the prosecutor withdrew the charges or the court dismissed the case |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after substantive review |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Landry
Certified copies of criminal records are required for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration. Depending on the type of record, contact one of the following agencies.
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court
The St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court's Office maintains records of criminal cases heard by the 27th Judicial District Court. A certified copy can be obtained in person or by mail.
What you need:
- A written request specifying the case number or the defendant's full name
- A valid photo ID (state ID or passport)
- Payment of fees (check or money order payable to St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court)
State-Level Background Check
To obtain an official state criminal history record, submit a request through the Louisiana State Police. The procedure involves fingerprinting and completing the appropriate form. Requests are accepted by mail or through authorized fingerprint collection points.
Inmate Information
Information about individuals serving sentences in state correctional facilities is available through the St. Landry Parish page on the DOC website. To request information about the local jail, call the St. Landry Parish Jail at (337) 948-5804.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Landry
Fees are set according to Louisiana law and court internal regulations. The amounts below are approximate — check current rates directly with the Clerk's Office.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 – $2.00 | Depends on the type of document |
| Certification of copy | $5.00 and up | Added to the cost of copying |
| Background check (LSP) | $26.00 – $39.25 | Depends on the type of check (name-based or fingerprint-based); fee payable to Louisiana State Police |
| DOC inmate search | Free | Online search through the DOC website |
Processing Times
- In-person request at the Clerk of Court — usually the same day or within 1–3 business days
- Mail request — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on complexity and volume
- Check through LSP — from 3 to 6 weeks for mail requests; electronic processing may be faster
Payment is generally accepted by money order or certified check. Some offices also accept credit cards for in-person visits — confirm in advance by phone.