Find Police Records in St. Mary Parish

St. Mary Parish police records are managed by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office in Franklin, the main law enforcement agency for the parish. This guide covers how to request police reports and other public records from the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Court, and state agencies that serve St. Mary Parish.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office is at 500 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538. Their phone number is (337) 828-1960. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement throughout the parish and maintains incident reports for calls worked by its deputies. You can visit their website at stmarysheriff.com for additional information about services offered.

Records requests are handled in person or by mail. When visiting in person, bring a valid photo ID. Written mail requests should include the full name of the subject, the approximate date of the incident, the location, any case number you have, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow several business days for a response.

Incidents that occurred within the city limits of Franklin or other municipalities in St. Mary Parish may be on file with the local police department rather than the Sheriff. If you are not sure which agency worked the call, the Sheriff's Office can help you figure out where to go. Call ahead at (337) 828-1960 before making the trip.

Clerk of Court

The St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court holds court-filed records including criminal case files, civil suits, judgments, and docket information. The Clerk is at 2 Courthouse Square, Franklin, LA 70538, and can be reached at (337) 828-4100.

Court records are public under Louisiana's Public Records Act, La. R.S. 44:1. You can view files in person at the Clerk's office during normal business hours at no cost. Copies carry a per-page fee set by the Clerk. Written requests must receive a response within three business days under state law.

The Clerk of Court is a separate office from the Sheriff. They do not hold police reports, but they do have everything filed with the court once an arrest leads to charges. If a case was dismissed before charges were filed, the Clerk may not have a record of it at all.

Criminal History and Background Checks

Louisiana does not open criminal history records to the general public. Under La. R.S. 15:587, the Louisiana State Police restrict full criminal history reports to authorized users such as law enforcement, licensed employers, and individuals requesting their own records.

To request a background check, contact the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information at 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, (225) 925-6095. The cost is $31 for the search plus a $5 processing fee, totaling $36. More details are at the LSP background check page.

If you believe your own record contains incorrect information, you have the right to review and contest it under La. R.S. 15:588. This right applies to all individuals whose records are held by the state. The LSP has a formal dispute process for correcting errors.

Crash Reports in St. Mary Parish

Crashes on state highways and routes worked by Louisiana State Police troopers can be ordered through the LSP crash reports service for $11.50. You must wait at least 15 days after the crash date before the report is available. For fatal crashes, the hold is 60 days and pickup must be done in person at an LSP location.

If the crash was worked by a St. Mary Parish Sheriff's deputy, contact the Sheriff's Office at (337) 828-1960 to ask about that specific report. Crashes handled by Franklin Police Department or another city agency in the parish would go through those departments directly. The LSP Traffic Records Unit page has additional background on how crash data is managed statewide.

Public Records Requests and Exemptions

Any person can request public records from a government agency in Louisiana. The request should be in writing when possible. The Public Records Act at La. R.S. 44:1 requires a response within three business days. That response can be the records, a date when they will be ready, or a denial with the legal reason stated.

Not everything is public. La. R.S. 44:3 permits agencies to withhold records tied to open investigations, records that could harm a prosecution, and information that would reveal informant identities. Juvenile records are restricted statewide. If you get a denial, the agency must give you the specific law they are relying on to withhold the document.

There is no fee to submit a request. However, there may be a fee for copies. Ask about costs before requesting large volumes of documents. Many agencies have a standard per-page rate, and some charge for staff time on large or complex requests.

State Offender Records and Jail Roster

The Louisiana Department of Corrections keeps a database of people held in or released from state prison. You can search it through the DOC public information page. This covers state prison sentences only. If someone was booked into the St. Mary Parish Jail and not sent to a state facility, they will not appear in the DOC database.

For local jail information, contact the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office directly. Some parishes make inmate rosters available online; St. Mary Parish residents should call (337) 828-1960 or check the Sheriff's website to find out what booking information is currently posted.

Nearby Parishes

St. Mary Parish is bordered by several parishes where records processes work the same way through local sheriffs and clerks of court.