Criminal records in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, can be accessed through several channels. CalcasieuParishCourt.org can help find publicly available criminal case information for the parish. Beyond that, the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court's Criminal Records Department maintains official case files for the 14th Judicial District Court. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office publishes current jail roster data, and the Louisiana State Police offers statewide background checks. Together, these resources cover most criminal record needs in the parish.
How to Search Criminal Records in Calcasieu
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Through CalcasieuParishCourt.org
Start at CalcasieuParishCourt.org to look up publicly available criminal case information filed in Calcasieu Parish. You can search by the defendant's name or case number.
Online — Clerk of Court eSearch
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court operates an eSearch portal that includes criminal record indexes. To use it:
- Visit the eSearch login page and create a free account (new users must register).
- Log in and select the criminal records search option.
- Enter the defendant's full name, or use a case number if you have one.
- Review index results. You can purchase and print document images through the portal.
The Clerk's Online Search Services page provides additional guidance and contact information for technical support.
Online — Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office inmate roster lists individuals currently held in parish custody. This is useful for confirming recent arrests but does not contain full case history or court dispositions.
Online — Louisiana State Police Background Check
For a statewide criminal history search, the Louisiana State Police Internet Background Check returns records from the state criminal history repository. This is a name-based search authorized under Louisiana Revised Statute 15:587.
Online — Louisiana DOC Offender Search
To locate someone in state prison custody, use the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections offender lookup.
In Person
Visit the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court's Criminal Records Department at the courthouse in Lake Charles. Public access terminals may be available for index searches. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can assist with locating specific case files.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include a check or money order for applicable copy fees. Mail requests to:
For statewide criminal history records, written requests can also be directed to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections public information office.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- Approximate date range or year of filing (helpful for older records)
Search Calcasieu Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. In Louisiana's district courts, criminal case numbers typically follow a format that includes:
- A numeric sequence — assigned by the Clerk's office in the order cases are filed
- A year indicator — often embedded in or associated with the number, identifying the year the case was filed
- A prefix or suffix code — some parishes use letter codes to distinguish criminal cases (e.g., "CR") from civil matters
In the 14th Judicial District Court (Calcasieu Parish), case numbers are assigned sequentially. When entering a case number in the Clerk's eSearch system, type the number exactly as it appears on court documents, including any dashes or letter prefixes. If the system does not return results, confirm the number with the Criminal Records Department by phone.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Calcasieu
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Louisiana Revised Statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., La. R.S. 14:30 for first-degree murder) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — felonies carry potential prison time exceeding one year; misdemeanors carry up to one year in parish jail |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be changed by the district attorney through a bill of information or superseding indictment; the amended charge replaces or supplements the original |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several separate charges, each listed individually |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed)
- Disposed — The court has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All proceedings and obligations (sentencing, probation) are complete
Hearings
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case management, possible plea agreements, and discovery issues
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — The court checks on compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — The charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court
- Nolle prosequi — The district attorney declined to prosecute (common in Louisiana practice)
- Acquitted — Functionally the same as not guilty; the state failed to prove its case
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Calcasieu
Which Office Handles Requests
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court — Criminal Records Department is the custodian of criminal case files for the 14th Judicial District Court. Certified copies of court documents (judgments, minutes, bills of information) are issued by this office.
For arrest records or booking information, contact the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. For statewide criminal history reports, submit a request through the Louisiana State Police.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Criminal Records Department at the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Specify the exact documents you need (e.g., certified copy of a judgment of conviction, minutes of court).
- By mail: Send a written request with the defendant's name, case number, the specific document requested, and a check or money order for fees.
- Online: Some document images can be purchased through the Clerk's eSearch portal. Contact the office to confirm whether certified copies are available electronically.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- If requesting your own record for expungement or background purposes, you may need to provide fingerprints or additional personal identifiers depending on the agency
Contact Information
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Calcasieu
Fees are set by the Clerk of Court and by state statute. Under Louisiana's Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), public bodies may charge reasonable fees for copies.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | Contact Clerk for current rate | Uncertified copies of court documents |
| Certified copy | Contact Clerk for current rate | Includes Clerk's seal and signature; fees vary by document type |
| eSearch document images | Per-page fee applies | Purchased and printed through the online portal |
| Louisiana State Police background check | Approximately $26 + $5 technology fee | Per La. R.S. 15:587D.(1); submitted through the LSP Internet Background Check system |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity and age of the record
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for processing, plus mailing time
- LSP background checks: Online results are typically returned within a few business days
- Older or archived records: May take longer to retrieve — contact the Criminal Records Department to ask about estimated turnaround
Confirm current fees directly with the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court before submitting payment, as rates may change.