Morehouse County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Morehouse County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Morehouse County may access publicly available information through MorehouseParishRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Morehouse County, Louisiana, are maintained across multiple agencies, and the scope of accessible information depends on the requesting party, the nature of the record, and applicable state law.
Records that may be found through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Active warrants and bond information
- Sex offender registration data
- Probation and parole status (where publicly disclosed)
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available.
1. County Court Records
The 4th Judicial District Court serves Morehouse Parish and maintains case files for criminal proceedings filed within the parish.
4th Judicial District Court – Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court
100 East Madison Avenue
Bastrop, LA 71220
Phone: (318) 281-3343
Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court
Members of the public may inspect court records in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date. Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office for on-site case searches.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters.
Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office
114 Bry Street
Bastrop, LA 71220
Phone: (318) 281-4141
Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office
Arrest and booking records may be requested in person or by written request. The office publishes a current inmate roster on its website. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with Louisiana public records law.
3. Online Court Search
The Louisiana Supreme Court's Louisiana Case Search portal provides statewide access to court case information, including criminal case filings, dispositions, and docket entries. Users may search by full name, case number, or date of birth. The portal reflects records entered into the statewide system and may not include all historical or recently filed cases.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII) serves as the official state repository for criminal history records.
Louisiana State Police – Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
7919 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 925-6095
Louisiana State Police Criminal Records
Formal background check requests require submission of fingerprints, a completed request form, and applicable fees. Processing times and fee schedules are published on the agency's official website. Fingerprint-based checks are the most comprehensive and are required for employment-related background checks in regulated industries.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court at 100 East Madison Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:32, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within three business days of receipt.
What Is Morehouse County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In Louisiana, criminal records are created and updated at multiple points throughout the criminal justice process — from initial arrest and booking through arraignment, plea, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision.
The distinction between record types is significant for access and legal purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding or plea of guilt and a court-imposed sentence.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of imprisonment. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are part of the public criminal record for adults.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under the age of 17 at the time of the offense are governed by the Louisiana Children's Code and are not public records. Juvenile records are sealed by operation of law.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained by the issuing court and the Sheriff's Office. Historical records reflect resolved matters.
Agencies that maintain criminal records in Morehouse Parish include the Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the 4th Judicial District Court (case files and dispositions), the Louisiana State Police BCII (statewide criminal history), and local municipal police departments. Records may include charges filed, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole conditions.
Are Criminal Records Public In Morehouse County
Criminal records in Morehouse Parish are public records under Louisiana law. Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:1 establishes the public's right of access to records held by state and local government agencies. Court records, including criminal case filings and dispositions involving adult defendants, are accessible to any member of the public upon request.
As stated in the statute, "all books, records, writings, accounts, letters and letter books, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers, and all copies, duplicates, photographs, including microfilm, or other reproductions thereof, or any other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the conduct of its official business" are subject to public inspection.
The following categories of records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records (sealed under the Louisiana Children's Code)
- Records subject to a court-ordered expungement under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 971
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would impede law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by judicial order
The Louisiana Attorney General's Office publishes guidance on public records obligations applicable to state and local agencies, including law enforcement and court offices.
How To Find Criminal Records in Morehouse County Online
Official County Resources
The Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court maintains an online case search tool accessible through its official website at morehouselaclerkcourt.com. The portal allows searches by party name and case number. The Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster and recent booking information on its website at moresheriff.com. No registration is required to access these resources.
State-Level Resources
The Louisiana Supreme Court's case search system provides access to statewide court records, including criminal case filings across all Louisiana parishes. The Louisiana State Police BCII offers an online portal for submitting criminal history background check requests at lsp.org. The Louisiana Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry is publicly searchable by name, address, and zip code.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public-facing databases
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag of hours to several days following a court event or booking. Historical records predating the digitization of court files may require an in-person request at the clerk's office. Online searches do not constitute an official background check and are not a substitute for a fingerprint-based criminal history report from the Louisiana State Police BCII.
Can You Search Morehouse County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Louisiana law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:32, custodians of public records must allow inspection during regular business hours without imposing a fee for the act of inspection itself. Copying fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. In-person inspection is available at the Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court (100 East Madison Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220) and the Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office (114 Bry Street, Bastrop, LA 71220).
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | What's Free | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court Case Search | Case filings, docket entries, dispositions | morehouselaclerkcourt.com |
| Morehouse Parish Sheriff Inmate Roster | Current bookings, charges, bond | moresheriff.com |
| Louisiana Supreme Court Case Search | Statewide court records | lasc.org |
| Louisiana Sex Offender Registry | Registered offender profiles | lsp.org |
3. Sheriff's Logs
The Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest and booking reports. These logs are available for public inspection at the Sheriff's Office and, where posted, on the agency's website.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the Clerk of Court per page
- Official state criminal history background checks (Louisiana State Police BCII): fee schedule published at lsp.org
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond standard inspection
- Expedited processing requests
- Electronic copies provided on physical media
State Fee Law
Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:32 governs the fees that public agencies may charge for copies of public records. Agencies may charge the actual cost of reproduction but may not impose fees that effectively deny access to records. Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodian of records.
What's Included in a Morehouse County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A complete criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile records (sealed under the Louisiana Children's Code)
- Records expunged pursuant to Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 971
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records (maintained separately by the FBI)
- Charges resolved through completed diversion programs where records were sealed
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain clerical errors, outdated information, or incomplete disposition data. Individuals who identify errors in their official criminal history may submit a challenge to the Louisiana State Police BCII. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Morehouse County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Louisiana law and the Louisiana Secretary of State's records retention schedules govern how long criminal records must be maintained by state and local agencies. The Louisiana Secretary of State's Records Management Division publishes retention schedules applicable to court and law enforcement records.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 5 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted; permanent in court system |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 17; subject to destruction per Louisiana Children's Code |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- 4th Judicial District Court: Court case files are retained permanently in accordance with Louisiana court records retention rules.
- Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office: Jail and arrest records are retained per the Louisiana Secretary of State's schedule for law enforcement agencies.
- Louisiana State Police BCII: Conviction records are retained permanently in the statewide criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, provided the electronic copy is preserved in accordance with the applicable retention schedule.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts access to a record without destroying it — the record continues to exist but is not accessible to the public. Expungement, governed by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 971, is a legal process by which a court orders the removal of a criminal record from public access. Expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies.
Expungement
Eligible individuals may petition the 4th Judicial District Court for expungement of qualifying arrest records and certain conviction records. Eligibility criteria, required forms, and filing fees are available through the Louisiana Legislature's official website. Even following expungement, records may remain in law enforcement databases and federal repositories.
Federal Records
The FBI maintains its own criminal history database independently of state systems. Federal records are subject to federal retention rules and are not affected by state expungement orders.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions that remain in the public record appear on background checks conducted by employers, licensing boards, and housing providers. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of certain records to seven to ten years depending on the position sought. Professional licensing boards in Louisiana may require full disclosure of all criminal history regardless of age. Even where a county agency has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.