Terrebonne Parish Police Records

Police records in Terrebonne Parish are handled by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, headquartered in Gray near Houma, along with city agencies like the Houma Police Department. The Sheriff's Office has a defined process for public records requests with specific fees and a clear set of documents it releases. This guide walks through everything you need to know to get police records in Terrebonne Parish.

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office Records Department

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO) is at 3441 West Park Avenue, Gray, LA 70359. Their main number is (985) 876-2500. For records-specific inquiries, you can also email records@tpso.net. The Sheriff's website is tpso.net. The Records Department handles all public records requests from members of the public and accepts both in-person and written submissions.

To submit a records request, you must complete the TPSO public records request form. The Records Department reviews each submission and typically responds within three business days, in line with Louisiana's Public Records Act at La. R.S. 44:1. If you cannot visit in person, written requests can be mailed to the West Park Avenue address. Include all the details you can: subject name, date of birth, date of arrest or incident, location, and case number if known.

Written requests by mail should also include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow three to five business days for the Records Department to process your request and send back a response or the documents themselves.

TPSO Records Fee Schedule

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office charges set fees for different types of records. Crash reports cost $10. Initial incident reports also cost $10. If a report has additional documents attached, those pages cost $1 per page. Background checks through the TPSO run $10. Audio and video recordings, when approved for release, are $30 each. Photographs that are approved for release are also $30. Certified copies of cases cost $25 per case.

Payment must be made by cash, money order, or business check payable to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office. Credit and debit cards are not accepted for records fees. Make sure you have the right payment type before visiting in person. If you are requesting by mail, a money order is the safest option.

These fees apply to records that are approved for release. If a record is withheld, no fee is charged. The TPSO will tell you in writing if a request is denied and cite the legal basis for the denial.

When Records May Be Withheld

The TPSO may delay or deny a records request in several situations. A report may be held if it is incomplete or has not yet been reviewed by a supervisor. If releasing the record could hinder an ongoing criminal investigation, the office can withhold it under La. R.S. 44:3. Records may also be withheld if release could deprive a defendant of a fair trial. If the report was not authored by the TPSO, they will not release it. Juvenile records are restricted as well.

Any denial must come in writing with the legal reason stated. You can challenge a denial. If you believe a record is being withheld without proper legal grounds, a follow-up letter clarifying your request sometimes resolves the issue. For more serious disputes, Louisiana legal aid organizations can advise you on next steps.

Free Resources Through TPSO

Not every records request costs money. The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office makes several resources available at no charge. An online inmate roster is posted on their website at no cost. If you want to inspect records in person without getting copies, you can use public terminals at the Sheriff's Office for free. No fee is charged simply to view a record on-site.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections offender database is also free and searchable online at the DOC public information page. That database covers state prison inmates, not local jail bookings. For current TPSO jail information, use the online inmate roster on the Sheriff's website or call (985) 876-2500.

The Louisiana State Police Sex Offender Registry is another free public resource. It is searchable by name and location. None of these free tools require a records request or a fee.

Houma Police Department

The Houma Police Department is a separate agency from the Sheriff's Office and handles incidents within Houma city limits. The department is at 500 Honduras Street, Houma, LA 70360. Their main number is (985) 873-6300. The non-emergency line is (985) 873-6381. If the incident you need a report for happened inside Houma city limits, contact the Houma Police Department first, not the Sheriff's Office.

The Houma Police Department has its own records process and fee structure. Call ahead to confirm what you need to bring or include in a written request. Records from the Houma PD are not available through TPSO and vice versa; each agency holds only its own reports.

For residents in Houma, the city police department is typically the right agency for incident reports, traffic stops, and other in-city matters. Incidents on parish roads outside city limits are more likely in the TPSO system.

Clerk of Court and Court Records

The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court is located at 7856 Main Street, Houma, LA 70360, phone (985) 868-5660. This is the same address as the 32nd Judicial District Court. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk holds all court-filed records including criminal case files, civil suits, judgments, and docket information.

Court records are generally public under La. R.S. 44:1. Inspection is free during business hours. Copies carry a per-page fee set by the Clerk's office. The Clerk must respond to written records requests within three business days. Note that police reports do not automatically become court records; the Clerk only holds documents that were formally filed with the court.

Background Checks and Criminal History

Louisiana does not make full criminal history available to the public. Under La. R.S. 15:587, criminal history is restricted. Formal background checks go through the Louisiana State Police at 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, (225) 925-6095. The cost is $36 total. Details are at the LSP background check service page.

If your own record has errors, you have the right to review and dispute it under La. R.S. 15:588. Submit a dispute through the LSP process. Fingerprint-based checks are available for official purposes through the LSP fingerprints page.

Nearby Parishes

Terrebonne Parish is bordered by three parishes to the north and east, each with their own records agencies.