Criminal records in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, are public documents accessible through various means. StTammanyParishCourt.org allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the parish. Additionally, records are available through official court systems, including the 22nd Judicial District Court, via the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, and directly at the Clerk of Court's Criminal Department. Each of these sources provides different levels of detail depending on the type of inquiry.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Tammany
To begin your search, you will need at least one of the following pieces of information:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Below are all the available search methods described.
Online via StTammanyParishCourt.org
Visit StTammanyParishCourt.org and use the search system to view publicly available information about criminal cases. This is a convenient way to check basic data — charges, case status, hearing dates — without needing to visit the court in person.
Through the Sheriff's Office
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Criminal Records Division maintains records of arrests and related documents. By calling 985-809-8242, you can verify the existence of a specific record. Detailed information is available on the Sheriff's Office Criminal Records page.
State-Level Criminal History Check
The Louisiana State Police offers an Internet Background Checks system that allows you to conduct a criminal history check based on fingerprints or name. This service is fee-based and covers records from across the state.
Federal Cases
If a criminal case was handled at the federal level, search for it through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana or the PACER system.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Court in Covington handles criminal cases for the 22nd Judicial District Court. You can visit the office, use public access terminals, and review case materials on-site. Contact the Criminal Department — staff will assist you in finding the necessary document.
Written Request
A request for public records can be submitted by mail or email. The St. Tammany Parish government accepts public records requests from individuals aged 18 and over. According to the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), most government documents are considered public unless otherwise provided by law.
Search St. Tammany Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal case. In Louisiana, criminal cases typically have the following format:
- Year of filing — two digits at the beginning (e.g., "24" for the year 2024)
- Case type letter code — for example, "CR" for criminal cases or "FEL" for felonies
- Sequential number — a unique numerical identifier assigned to the case upon registration
Example: the case number 24-CR-12345 indicates a criminal case filed in 2024 with the sequential number 12345. The specific format may vary slightly depending on the court. If you do not know the case number, contact the Clerk of Court's Criminal Department — they can find the case by the defendant's name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Tammany
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (e.g., La. R.S. 14:98 — driving under the influence) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — for example, reduce it from a felony to a misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is in the active review stage
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
In the 22nd Judicial District Court, criminal cases go through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused in court, where charges are announced
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial conference — the parties discuss procedural issues before the trial begins
- Trial — the substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review hearing — review of compliance with conditions, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found guilty |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict — usually at the prosecutor's initiative |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charge; the case may be reopened later |
| Acquitted | The court or jury acquitted the defendant after a substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Tammany
Certified copies of criminal records are required for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration procedures. Depending on the type of document, the request is submitted to different institutions.
Clerk of Court — Criminal Department
The Criminal Department of the St. Tammany Clerk of Court holds case materials for the 22nd Judicial District Court. Certified copies of judgments, court session protocols, and other court documents can be obtained here.
Ways to submit a request:
- In person — at the courthouse in Covington
- By mail — sending a written request with the case number or the defendant's full name
To obtain records, you must present a valid photo ID (driver's license or state-issued ID).
Sheriff's Office — Arrest Records
To obtain information about arrests and records maintained by the sheriff, contact the Criminal Records Department.
Louisiana State Police — State-Level Criminal History Check
For a comprehensive criminal history check covering records from all Louisiana parishes, use the LSP Internet Background Checks online system. For fingerprint-based checks, you need to visit an authorized biometric data collection point.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Tammany
The cost of obtaining criminal records depends on the institution and type of request. Below are approximate rates based on current pricing.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 – $1.00 | Clerk of Court (according to La. R.S. 44:32) |
| Document certification | Additional fee for each certified copy (check with Clerk of Court) | Clerk of Court |
| Criminal history check via LSP (by name) | $26.00 | Louisiana State Police |
| Fingerprint-based check | $39.25+ | Louisiana State Police (includes FBI fee if a federal check is required) |
Processing Times
- Clerk of Court — copies are usually ready within a few business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take 1–2 weeks
- LSP online name-based check — results are typically available within 24 hours
- Fingerprint-based check — from 5 to 15 business days depending on workload
Check current rates directly with the institution, as they may change. The Louisiana Public Records Act allows only reasonable costs for copying and mailing documents to be charged.