Criminal records in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, are available through several channels. StMaryparishCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the parish. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, the parish sheriff's office, and the Clerk of Court. Each of these sources provides varying levels of detail—from current arrests to archived case materials.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Mary
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this parish. Here are the main ones:
Online Search
- StMaryparishCourt.us — start here to find public information about criminal cases. Enter the person's full name or case number to search.
- Sheriff's Inmate Roster — the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office website provides a current list of individuals in custody. Search by last name or booking date.
- Arrest Reports — the sheriff regularly publishes press releases with arrest information.
- Statewide Inmate Search — the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections allows you to find individuals under supervision or in state correctional facilities.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Court in Franklin, the parish's administrative center, holds court materials for criminal cases. You can visit in person and use public access terminals or ask the clerk for assistance with your search.
Written Request
To obtain an official criminal history, send a written request to the Louisiana State Police or the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections. Background check requests are processed by the state police.
To start your search, you will need:
- The person's full name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number, if you have it
Search St. Mary Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal case. In Louisiana, the format of a criminal case number typically includes several elements:
- Year — two or four digits indicating the year the case was filed
- Letter Code — denotes the type of case (e.g., "CR" for criminal cases)
- Sequential Number — a unique sequential number within the year
A typical example might look like this: 2024-CR-00123, where "2024" is the year, "CR" is the criminal case, "00123" is the sequential number. The format may vary slightly depending on the court.
If you have the case number, enter it on StMaryparishCourt.us or contact the Clerk of Court for details. Searching by number provides the quickest result and avoids confusion with identical names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Mary
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of 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 |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — the case is actively being heard in court
- Disposed — the court has made a decision, the case is concluded
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the accused's first appearance in court, charges are announced
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Pre-trial — discussion of procedural issues and possible agreements
- Sentencing — the sentence is pronounced after a guilty plea
- Review — review of probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed, charges dropped |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court or jury |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor declined further prosecution |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Mary
Certified copies of criminal records have legal force and differ from regular informational printouts. Here's how to obtain them.
Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court for the 16th Judicial District Court in Franklin holds criminal case materials heard by the district court. You can request them in person or by mail.
What you need for the request:
- The accused's full name
- Case number (if known)
- Valid photo ID
- Payment of the established fee
State-Level Criminal History Check
To obtain a complete state criminal history record, the request should be directed to the Louisiana State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification. This is the only official repository of state criminal records. As noted by the Department of Public Safety & Corrections, background check requests are processed by the state police.
The request can be submitted online or by mail. You need to provide fingerprints and complete the appropriate form.
Inmate Information
Information about individuals serving sentences in parish correctional facilities is available through the St. Mary Parish page on the DPSC website, which lists local correctional institutions, including St. Mary Parish Correctional Center and Patterson City Jail.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Mary
Fees for copies and certification of records in Louisiana are regulated by state law. Below are typical rates for the parish Clerk of Court.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Document certification | $2.00 – $5.00 per document |
| Criminal history check (Louisiana State Police) | $26.00 (subject to change) |
| Fingerprint check (FBI) | $39.25 (subject to change) |
Check current amounts directly with the Clerk of Court, as rates are periodically reviewed.
Processing Times
- In-person request at the Clerk's office — copies are usually ready the same day or within 1–3 business days
- Mail request — 5 to 15 business days, depending on complexity
- Background check through Louisiana State Police — online requests are processed faster, mail requests may take up to 4–6 weeks
For archival cases, especially those dating back decades, processing may take longer. Contact the clerk in advance to confirm the availability of the required records. General information about the parish and contact details for local institutions can be found on the official St. Mary Parish profile on the Louisiana state website.