Louisiana Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

A warrant is a legal document issued by a magistrate or judge that authorizes a specific action by law enforcement. It serves as a critical check on police power by ensuring that an individual’s rights are protected under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This guide outlines the function of warrants in Louisiana, the types issued, what happens after one is created, and how to find warrant records.

What Is a Warrant in Louisiana?

Although Louisiana’s legal system is rooted in civil law traditions, its criminal procedures are mostly similar to those in other states within the United States. Warrants must be issued by a court and supported by probable cause. In Louisiana, these legal documents are used to authorize law enforcement or court officials to take the following types of actions:

• To find and seize evidence of a crime.
• To compel a person to appear in court or seize property to satisfy a judgment.
• To arrest someone if there is probable cause that they committed a crime.

Types of Warrants in Louisiana

Louisiana courts issue several types of warrants, including:

1. Bench Warrant

A bench warrant can be issued to bring an individual who has failed to appear in court after being served a summons.

2. Capias Warrant

Similar to a bench warrant, a capias is often used when a defendant fails to comply with a court order. This type of warrant requires law enforcement to take the individual into custody to ensure they appear before the court to answer the charges.

3. Search Warrant

This is issued when a judge determines there is probable cause that evidence of a crime is located in a particular place. A search warrant allows officers to search the premises and seize items relevant to the investigation.

4. Arrest Warrant

Law enforcement may obtain an arrest warrant if there is probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. It authorizes law enforcement to take the person into custody and bring them before a court.

5. Execution Warrant

This type of warrant is used to enforce court judgments, such as collecting fines or carrying out other civil actions.

How to Search for Warrants in Louisiana

There is no single statewide warrants database in Louisiana; however, information can be accessed through multiple sources, such as:

1. Louisiana Supreme Court and District Court Websites – Some parish courts provide online docket searches where users can locate active warrants in ongoing cases.
2. Parish Sheriff’s Offices – The sheriff’s office in larger parishes, such as Orleans Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, and Jefferson Parish, often allows warrant inquiries in person or online.
3. Clerk of Court Offices – Warrant information in Louisiana may be found through case records maintained by the clerk of court in each parish.
4. City Police Departments – Local police departments, such as the New Orleans Police Department or Baton Rouge Police Department, maintain warrant records for city-level offenses.
5. Louisiana State Police – The state police oversee criminal history records; however, members of the public who meet the eligibility requirements can request authorization to conduct background checks.
6. Third-Party Tools – Warrant information may appear on some background checks websites, but only the court or sheriff’s office can provide official confirmation.

Information available in public warrants often includes the individual’s name, case number, charges, warrant type, issuing court, and any bail or bond terms.

Warrant Records in Major Louisiana Cities and Parishes

• New Orleans (Orleans Parish) – The Sheriff’s Office and the Municipal and Traffic Courts handle warrants, while the Criminal District Court is responsible for issuing arrest and bench warrants.
• Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish) – Interested parties must register as a user to view the warrant list maintained by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. In addition, anyone can obtain warrant information through the 19th Judicial District Court.
• Jefferson Parish (Metairie, Kenner) – In Jefferson Parish, case records are managed by the 24th Judicial District Court, and the Sheriff’s Office keeps a list of outstanding warrants.

Similarly, record seekers may find warrant records in parishes like Caddo, Lafayette, and St. Tammany through the sheriff’s offices and parish courts.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Louisiana?

• Arrest Warrants – In Louisiana, when an arrest warrant is issued, law enforcement is authorized to take the named person into custody. The warrant remains active until the individual is arrested, appears in court, or the warrant is resolved.
• Bench Warrants – The police have the authority to arrest the person named in the warrant at any time. Failure to respond to a bench warrant can result in fines or additional charges, depending on the underlying case.
• Search Warrants – The warrant must be executed within a certain timeframe, and officers may need to appear in court to explain the search and evidence collected.

To resolve a warrant in Louisiana, an individual can appear in court voluntarily, work with an attorney to surrender, and pay any outstanding fines.

It is important to note that a warrant that remains unresolved can cause arrest during routine traffic stops, background checks, and security screenings.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Louisiana?

• Until they are resolved, arrest and bench warrants stay in effect until the individual named in the warrant is arrested or the issuing court recalls the warrant.
• Search warrants expire within 10 days of issuance and must be reissued if not executed.
• Until the issuing court recalls the warrant or the underlying obligation is satisfied, a civil warrant remains active after being issued.

A warrant may be canceled if issued incorrectly, recalled when the individual meets court conditions, or cleared after it is formally executed in court.

In Louisiana, arrest and bench warrants do not expire, meaning old warrants can still lead to an arrest.

In Louisiana, warrants are important to the legal framework because they ensure that arrests, court appearances, and searches occur lawfully. Because they require judicial approval, warrants protect against unreasonable searches and seizures. Irrespective of how long they remain active, each warrant type has significant consequences.

To find warrant records in Louisiana, record seekers can contact the parish sheriff’s offices, local police departments, and clerk of court offices in the appropriate parish. It is the best course of action for any individual with an active warrant to visit the issuing court or speak with an attorney to avoid unexpected arrest.