Union County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Union County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Union County may access publicly available information through a combination of official government portals, court offices, and third-party aggregators such as UnionParishRecords.us. Criminal records in Union County, Louisiana, may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, conviction histories, and sentencing information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the offense, and whether the record has been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted under state law.
Relevant record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case filings
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Probation and parole status
- Active and recalled warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Protective orders
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels available under current law.
1. County Court Records
The 3rd Judicial District Court serves Union Parish and maintains case files for criminal proceedings filed within the parish. Members of the public may inspect non-restricted court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours.
Union Parish Clerk of Court
100 East Bayou Street, Suite 105
Farmerville, LA 71241
Phone: (318) 368-3055
Union Parish Clerk of Court
Visitors should bring a government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject or a case number. Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office for self-service searches of the court's electronic docket.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Union Parish Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with Louisiana public records law.
Union Parish Sheriff's Office
309 West Water Street
Farmerville, LA 71241
Phone: (318) 368-3124
Union Parish Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Louisiana Supreme Court's Louisiana Court Case Search portal allows members of the public to search civil and criminal case information statewide. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal reflects docket entries but does not provide access to sealed or expunged records, and data entry lag may affect the currency of results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Formal background check requests require submission of a completed request form, applicable fees, and in some instances fingerprint cards.
Louisiana State Police — Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
7919 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 925-6095
Louisiana State Police BCII
Processing times and fees are subject to change; at present, standard requests are processed within several business days of receipt of a complete submission.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be directed to the Union Parish Clerk of Court at the address listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate date range of the records sought. Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 44:32, custodians are required to respond to public records requests within three business days.
What Is Union County Criminal Record
A criminal record is the official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing all stages from initial arrest through final disposition. In Louisiana, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies as a case moves through the justice system.
The distinction between record types is significant for access purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not establish guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification and carry potential sentences exceeding one year of imprisonment. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court case files.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are confidential under Louisiana law and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Union Parish include:
- Union Parish Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail booking records, inmate rosters
- 3rd Judicial District Court / Union Parish Clerk of Court — case filings, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Louisiana State Police BCII — statewide criminal history repository
- Farmerville Police Department — municipal arrest records
Records may reflect charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing, and probation or parole status. The Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure governs the procedures by which these records are created and maintained.
Are Criminal Records Public In Union County
Criminal records in Union Parish are subject to public disclosure under the Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. § 44:1 et seq., which establishes a broad presumption in favor of public access to government records. As stated in the statute, "No person shall be denied the right to examine, copy, reproduce, or obtain a copy or reproduction of any public record."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and final dispositions are accessible to members of the public. Records that are restricted from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to protective orders issued by a court
Expunged records are treated as though the underlying event did not occur for most public purposes, though law enforcement agencies retain access under specific statutory authority. The Louisiana Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of public records law to criminal justice information.
Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal disclosure frameworks and are not subject to Louisiana's public records statutes.
How To Find Criminal Records in Union County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Union Parish court records is the Louisiana Court Case Search portal maintained by the Louisiana Supreme Court. This tool allows users to search criminal case dockets by name or case number. The Union Parish Sheriff's Office website at unionso.com may publish current inmate rosters and recent booking information.
State-Level Resources
The Louisiana State Police BCII provides an online portal for submitting criminal history background check requests at lsp.org/services/criminal-records. The Louisiana Legislature's statute database allows users to cross-reference charges with applicable statutes.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal is comprehensive
- Understand that sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results
- Older records predating electronic filing may not be available online
Limitations
Online databases reflect data as entered by court staff and may lag behind actual case activity. Records predating electronic filing systems may require in-person requests. Online results do not constitute an official background check for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Union County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Under La. R.S. § 44:32, custodians of public records are required to make records available for inspection at no charge. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Union Parish Clerk of Court without paying a fee; charges apply only when copies are requested.
2. Free Online Databases: The Louisiana Court Case Search portal is available at no cost for basic docket searches. The Union Parish Sheriff's Office website provides free access to publicly posted inmate and booking information.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports, where published, are available at no charge through the Sheriff's Office.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$5.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state criminal history background check | $26.00 (Louisiana State Police) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee |
Fee schedules are established pursuant to Louisiana law and are subject to revision. Indigent requestors may inquire with the relevant custodian regarding fee waiver provisions.
What's Included in a Union County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record at present may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification (SID) number, 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 information, 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, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the Louisiana Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion program records (where sealed by court order)
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may seek correction through the originating agency or the Louisiana State Police BCII. Maintaining accurate records is significant for employment, licensing, and housing determinations.
How Long Does Union County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Louisiana's records retention schedules, administered through the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to comply with these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the state repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; agency records may vary
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; subject to expungement under La. C.Cr.P. art. 971 et seq.
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records (showing the disposition), though the subject may be eligible for expungement
- Juvenile records: Confidential; subject to sealing and potential destruction upon the individual reaching adulthood, pursuant to Louisiana Children's Code provisions
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts: Permanent retention for criminal case files per state court rules
- Sheriff/jail: Booking records retained per state schedule, at present a minimum of several years
- Louisiana State Police BCII: Permanent retention for conviction records
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed after scanning and verification, with the electronic version serving as the official record.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction removes the physical record entirely. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under La. C.Cr.P. art. 977, directs agencies to remove the record from public access and, in some instances, to destroy it. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since disposition. Even where a county destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are not subject to Louisiana expungement orders. These records are maintained separately and are accessible only to authorized law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
Practical Implications
Conviction records may appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or professional licensing purposes. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at present reflect criminal history for seven to ten years for most positions, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure regardless of the age of the conviction.