Criminal records in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are accessible through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. EastBatonRougeParishCourt.org can help locate publicly available criminal case information. The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court, the 19th Judicial District Court, Baton Rouge City Court, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office each maintain records that fall under their authority. Louisiana's public records law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) generally makes court records available to the public, though certain records may be sealed or restricted.
How to Search Criminal Records in East Baton Rouge
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in East Baton Rouge Parish:
Online Search Options
- EastBatonRougeParishCourt.org — Search publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- 19th Judicial District Court — The 19th JDC handles felony cases and more serious criminal matters in East Baton Rouge Parish. Case information may be available through the clerk's online portal.
- Baton Rouge City Court Warrant Lookup — Search active City Court warrants. Warrants are posted daily, but all results should be confirmed through the official court file by contacting the City Constable's Office at (225) 389-3889 or (225) 389-3004.
- Open Data BR — City Court Warrants — A public dataset of Baton Rouge City Court warrants, updated regularly.
- Louisiana State Police — Bureau of Criminal Identification — For certified state criminal history checks, submit a request through the Louisiana State Police background check portal.
In Person
- Visit the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court office to search court records using public access terminals or request assistance from staff.
- The Baton Rouge City Court Clerk's Office handles misdemeanor and traffic-related criminal records for cases within City Court jurisdiction.
By Mail or Written Request
- Written requests for court records can be mailed to the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- For formal public records requests related to city departments, contact the Parish Attorney's Office.
- State criminal history records can be requested by mail through the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search East Baton Rouge Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Louisiana case numbers typically follow a format that includes:
- A numeric prefix or sequence number — assigned by the clerk's office when the case is filed
- A year indicator — often embedded in the case number to reflect the filing year
- A court or division code — in some instances, the number may indicate whether the case was filed in the 19th Judicial District Court or Baton Rouge City Court
For example, a case number might appear as something like 01-23-4567, where the first segment references the filing sequence and the second references the year. Formats can vary between courts, so if you're unsure how to read a case number, ask the clerk's office for clarification. Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on any court documents you have — partial numbers may not return results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in East Baton Rouge
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Louisiana Revised Statutes (La. R.S.) citation identifying the offense — e.g., La. R.S. 14:30 (first degree murder) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are handled by the 19th JDC; misdemeanors and municipal offenses are typically handled by City Court. |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion. The record will reflect both original and amended charges. |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting further court action |
| Active | Case is currently being adjudicated |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.) |
| Closed | All court proceedings and obligations are complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, potential plea agreements, and trial preparation
- Sentencing — Court imposes punishment after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with court orders, probation, or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted of the charge |
| Not Guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the prosecution or court |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecution chose not to pursue the case (common in Louisiana) |
| Acquitted | Defendant found not guilty after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in East Baton Rouge
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the office that maintains the original file. The process depends on the type of record you need:
Court Records (Clerk of Court)
For certified copies of criminal case documents filed in the 19th Judicial District Court, contact:
East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You'll need to provide the case number or enough identifying information (defendant name, approximate date) for staff to locate the file. Requests can also be submitted by mail — include a written request with your contact information and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
State Criminal History Records
For a certified criminal background check, submit a request to the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. This requires fingerprint submission and payment of the applicable fee. Requests can be made online through the Louisiana State Police website or by mail.
City Court Records
For misdemeanor or municipal offense records from Baton Rouge City Court, contact the City Court Clerk's Office directly.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in East Baton Rouge
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy of court document | Varies; typically $0.50–$1.00 per page | Contact the Clerk of Court for current rates |
| Certified copy of court document | Approximately $5.00 per certification plus per-page copy costs | Fees set per La. R.S. 13:841 and local court rules |
| Louisiana State Police criminal history check | $26.00 (standard); $39.25 (FBI/federal) | Submitted through LSP; fingerprint-based |
| Processing time — Clerk of Court | Same day to several business days | In-person requests are often processed faster; mail requests may take 1–2 weeks |
| Processing time — State criminal history | Approximately 2–4 weeks | Longer if FBI check is included |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the issuing office before submitting payment. The Clerk of Court typically accepts cash, money orders, and certified checks for in-person requests. Check with the office regarding credit or debit card acceptance.