Search St. Martin Parish Police Records

Police records in St. Martin Parish are held by the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office in St. Martinville, which is the primary law enforcement agency for the parish. This page explains how to request records, what types of documents are accessible under Louisiana law, and where to find related resources for St. Martin Parish.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office is located at 18 South Main Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582. The main phone number is (337) 394-3071. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated parts of St. Martin Parish as well as incidents worked by parish deputies. More information is available on their website at stmartinparishsheriff.org.

If an incident happened within the city limits of St. Martinville, the St. Martinville Police Department may hold that report. For other municipalities within the parish, check with the local police department first. When in doubt, call the Sheriff's Office at (337) 394-3071 and they can point you in the right direction.

Records requests are handled in person or by mail. Louisiana does not have a statewide online portal for local police reports. Bring your photo ID if you visit in person. Mail requests should include a description of the record, the date and location of the incident, any case number, the subject's name and date of birth if known, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Clerk of Court and Court Records

The St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court is at 415 South Main Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582. Phone: (337) 394-2210. The Clerk holds criminal case files, civil court records, judgments, and related documents. These are distinct from police reports but often contain overlapping information about arrests, charges, and case outcomes.

Court records in Louisiana are generally public under the Public Records Act, La. R.S. 44:1. You can visit the Clerk's office to inspect files at no charge during business hours. Copies typically carry a per-page fee. The Clerk's office must respond to written requests within three business days under Louisiana law.

Louisiana Criminal History Records

Louisiana is a closed state for criminal history. The Louisiana State Police do not release full rap sheets to members of the general public under La. R.S. 15:587. What you can get are incident-specific reports from the agency that worked the call, and court records from the Clerk of Court once a case has been filed.

For a formal background check, you must go through the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information. The LSP is at 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, phone (225) 925-6095. The fee is $36 total ($31 plus a $5 processing charge). You can start the process through the LSP background check page.

If you find errors on your own record, you have a legal right to review and dispute the information under La. R.S. 15:588. The LSP has a process for submitting challenges. This right applies to anyone whose record is on file with the state.

Crash Reports

Louisiana State Police troopers work many crashes on state highways and interstates. Those reports are available through the LSP crash reports service for $11.50 online. You have to wait at least 15 days after the crash before ordering. Fatal crash reports carry a 60-day hold and require in-person pickup.

Crashes worked by the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's deputies are requested directly from the Sheriff's Office at 18 South Main Street, St. Martinville. Call ahead at (337) 394-3071 to confirm the process and any fees that apply. Crashes in municipal limits may be handled by the local city police department instead.

The LSP Traffic Records Unit also maintains data on traffic incidents statewide. Details about that program are on the LSP Traffic Records Unit page.

Public Records Act and Exemptions

Louisiana's Public Records Act gives residents the right to inspect and copy most government records. The law is found at La. R.S. 44:1. Agencies must respond within three business days. If records are ready right away, they should be provided immediately.

Certain records are exempt. La. R.S. 44:3 allows agencies to withhold records tied to active investigations, records that could compromise a prosecution, and information that would identify confidential informants. Juvenile records are also restricted. When a request is denied, the agency must give the legal basis in writing.

You do not need a lawyer to submit a records request. A simple written letter works. State your name, what you are looking for, and why you believe it is public. If the request is denied and you think the denial is wrong, you can file a complaint or seek help from a legal aid organization.

DOC and Sex Offender Resources

The Louisiana Department of Corrections maintains a searchable offender database for people in the state prison system. Access it through the DOC public information page. This covers state inmates only; local jail bookings are separate.

The Louisiana State Police also maintains the sex offender registry, which is publicly searchable. For local jail information in St. Martin Parish, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Some parishes post inmate rosters online; others require a phone call or visit to the jail.

Nearby Parishes

St. Martin Parish shares borders with several parishes where similar record request processes apply.