Search Lafayette Parish Felony Records

Lafayette Parish felony records are kept at the Clerk of Court office on South Buchanan Street in Lafayette. The 15th Judicial District Court handles all felony charges filed in Lafayette Parish, and the criminal department within the clerk's office manages those case files. Clerk Louis J. Perret has served in this role since 1999. Records dating back to 1823 are part of this office's collection. You can search records through the online subscription system, visit in person, or contact the criminal department directly at (337) 291-6329.

Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court Office

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court is located at 800 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502. Main phone is (337) 291-6300. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Clerk Louis J. Perret has served in this position since 1999, making him one of the longest-serving clerks in the state.

The clerk's office maintains an extensive departmental directory. The criminal department is at (337) 291-6329. Civil is at 291-6316. Birth records are handled at 291-6330. Death certificates are at 291-6432. Marriage is at 291-6335. The recording department is at 291-6310. Mortgage is at 291-6337. General research inquiries go to the main number at 291-6300.

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court website at lpclerk.com covers online records access, department directory information, and subscription details for the clerk's court and land records system.

Lafayette Parish Criminal Records Department

The criminal department within the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court handles all felony charges in Lafayette Parish. When the 15th Judicial District Attorney's Office files formal felony charges, those documents go to this department. Misdemeanor charges within city limits are handled by municipal courts, not the district court clerk. The criminal department files formal charges, sends notices to defendants, attorneys, and bondsmen, and issues subpoenas to witnesses.

Minute clerks in this department transcribe the outline of court proceedings, administer oaths to jurors and witnesses, and keep all evidence introduced by the State or the defendant. Processing clerks set cases for each judge, issue subpoenas, and post motions and orders into the computer system. This creates the detailed record trail that makes Lafayette Parish felony records among the most complete in the state.

The criminal department page at lpclerk.com/criminal outlines the full scope of the department's responsibilities and how felony case processing works in Lafayette Parish.

Online Access to Lafayette Parish Felony Records

The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court offers an online records subscription system. ClerkConnect handles civil suit index records from January 1, 1986 to the present and civil images from May 24, 2006 to the present. Criminal records are also accessible through this system. ClerkConnect is the main online portal for active case inquiries.

An eSearch website also exists for mortgage and conveyance records dating back to 1935. UCC records are included. Printing fees apply at $1 per page. For the main court and land records subscription, new subscribers pay a one-time setup fee of $100 plus the first month's fee of $65 per month per User ID. That's $165 to get started. Minimum commitment is one month. To set up an account, complete the Credit Application for Charge Account and the Online Court and Land Records Subscription Agreement, then mail the forms with payment or email to melinda.leonpacher@lpclerk.com for credit card processing.

The online records portal at lpclerk.com/online-records-beta-2 gives subscribers access to Lafayette Parish criminal and civil case indexes and images from their computer at any time.

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Card payments carry a 3% convenience fee and can only be processed in office or by phone.

What Lafayette Parish Felony Records Contain

Lafayette Parish holds over 16 million records going back to 1823, including 8,000-plus vintage photos with 3,000 on display. Felony criminal records in Lafayette Parish include the offense date, formal charge, case history, service records, court minutes, and final disposition. The bill of information or indictment is filed first. Arraignment documentation follows. Plea information, hearing records, and sentencing documents complete the file. Each step is logged as the case moves through the 15th Judicial District Court.

Under RS 44:31, any person of majority age may inspect these records. You do not need to give a reason. The burden of proof for any denial rests on the Clerk's office, not on you. RS 44:32 allows reasonable fees for copies. In-person inspection itself is free. Under RS 44:3, records tied to pending cases are restricted until final judgment. Once a case reaches disposition, the full file opens to the public.

RS 44:9 covers expungement in Louisiana. An expungement removes a record from public view but does not destroy it. Only certain felony arrests qualify. Convictions generally cannot be expunged. A court order is required, and fees apply. Lafayette Parish felony convictions remain in the public record permanently once entered.

ClerkConnect at clerkconnect.com serves Lafayette Parish and dozens of other Louisiana parishes with online inquiry services for civil and criminal case records.

Additional Resources for Lafayette Felony Records

The city of Lafayette has its own page with additional local resources. For statewide criminal history checks, contact the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information at (225) 925-6095. State background checks cost $26. FBI checks add $13.25 for a total of $39.25. The LSP Internet Background Check portal serves authorized organizations.

Federal felony cases in the Lafayette area go through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Those records are in the PACER system. PACER costs $0.10 per page with fees under $30 per quarter waived. The eClerks LA portal and eVault LA provide additional multi-parish access for various record types.