Criminal records in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, are available through several channels. Publicly accessible information about criminal cases can be found at StCharlesparishCourt.us. Additionally, the state's official court systems, parish law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Court's office also provide access to records — online, in person, or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Charles
Start by determining what specific information you are looking for: the current status of a case, charge details, or a criminal history check. This will determine where to go.
Online Search
- Go to StCharlesparishCourt.us and use the search tools to view public information about parish criminal cases.
- The Judicial Branch of Louisiana provides general information about the state's court system. The 29th Judicial District serves St. Charles Parish — cases are heard by the District Court of this district.
- To check individuals in state correctional facilities, use the offender search on the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections website.
- The DPSC public information section allows you to request public records in accordance with the Louisiana Public Records Law.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Court's office in the St. Charles Parish courthouse. Public search terminals for court cases are available there. The clerk can assist with finding specific records.
St. Charles Parish Clerk of Court
By Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. Attach a copy of your ID and payment of the applicable fees in the form of a money order.
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, a request is submitted to the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search St. Charles Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific record. In Louisiana, criminal cases are usually numbered with the following structure:
- Year of filing — a two-digit or four-digit number (e.g., 24 or 2024)
- Case type code — for example, "CR" for criminal cases or "FEL" for felonies
- Sequential number — a unique number assigned in chronological order
A typical format might look like 2024-CR-00123. The specific format depends on the 29th Judicial District's office. If you do not know the number, the court clerk can help find the case by the defendant's name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Charles
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Louisiana Revised Statutes under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), misdemeanor (less serious crime), or infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more serious one during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including appeal periods
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant learns about the charges and states their plea (guilty / not guilty)
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial — parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements
- Sentencing — imposition of punishment after a guilty plea or verdict
- Review hearing — review of probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court did not establish guilt |
| Dismissed | The case is closed by the prosecutor or court without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquittal after a full trial |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue further prosecution |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Charles
Certified copies of criminal records are officially certified documents accepted by courts, employers, and government agencies. They can be obtained in several ways.
Clerk of Court of St. Charles Parish
The clerk of the 29th Judicial District maintains all parish court records. You can request them in person or by mail.
When contacting, you will need:
- Valid photo ID
- Full name of the defendant and case number (if available)
- Payment of fees (cash, money order, or check — confirm acceptable forms of payment with the clerk)
Louisiana State Police
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, contact the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification. The request requires fingerprinting and filling out a special form. Employers and licensing agencies typically use this channel.
Through Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections
If you need information about a person serving a sentence in a state correctional facility, DPSC provides an offender search tool online. For official requests, use the procedure described on the DPSC public information page.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Charles
Fees for criminal records in Louisiana are regulated by state law. Below are approximate rates — we recommend confirming exact amounts directly with the court clerk.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $0.50–$2.00 per page | Depends on the type of document |
| Document certification | $5.00 and above per document | In addition to copying costs |
| State criminal history check | $26.00–$39.25 | Through Louisiana State Police; depends on the type of check (name-based or fingerprint-based) |
| DPSC registry search | Free | Online offender search |
Processing Time
- In-person request at the clerk's — usually the same day or within a few business days
- Mail request — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on volume
- Check through State Police — from 2 to 6 weeks for fingerprint-based requests
For up-to-date information on parish contact details and services, visit the official St. Charles Parish profile on the Louisiana state website.