New Orleans · Orleans Parish · Police, jail, warrant and criminal court guide
Trace a New Orleans Arrest From Jail Booking to the Court Disposition
A New Orleans arrest can create an NOPD report, Orleans Justice Center booking, Magistrate record, bond entry and Criminal District Court case.
This guide explains what each record means, where to search it, how to obtain missing documents, how release and visitation work and how to correct or expunge an eligible Louisiana record.
ORLEANS RECORD ROUTER
LIVE CHECK
CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT
DISPOSITION
BOOKING + COURT VERIFIED
Arrest does not mean conviction. A police or jail charge is an allegation. A prosecutor can decline, amend or replace it, and the court may dismiss a count or find the defendant not guilty.
Current detention
Start with the OPSO Detainee Search.
Police narrative
Request it from NOPD when NOPD created the report.
Case outcome
Use Orleans Criminal District Court records.
Disposition
Clerk currently lists $20 same day or $10 next day.
Expungement
Orleans Clerk currently publishes a $550 cost.
Start here
Which New Orleans record answers your question?
ORLEANS SHERIFF
Is the person in jail?
Use OPSO for current detainee identity, folder or booking information and custody routing.
Best starting point after a recent Orleans Parish booking.
NOPD RECORDS
What did police report?
Request the arrest or incident report and other releasable police documentation.
NOPD cannot provide another agency’s report.
MAGISTRATE
What happened immediately after arrest?
Initial court proceedings can address probable cause, appointment of counsel, bail and release.
Magistrate Court operates seven days a week.
CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT
How did the criminal case end?
Verify charges, motions, warrant history, disposition, conviction and sentence.
Use the Clerk for certified proof.
LOUISIANA STATE POLICE
What is on my state record?
Use fingerprint-based Right to Review for your own Louisiana criminal history.
Louisiana is not an unrestricted public rap-sheet state.
Most reliable sequence: Detainee search → folder/booking number → arresting agency → police report → court case status → certified disposition.
Official custody search
How to search Orleans Parish detainee records
Start with the last name
Add a first name only when a surname produces too many possible matches.
Open every plausible person
Do not assume the first matching name is correct.
Save the folder or booking identifier
Use the jail identifier rather than the name alone in later questions.
Record the booking date
A person can have more than one Orleans Parish booking.
Check each charge separately
One booking can contain several charges, warrants or holds.
Identify the arresting agency
Determine whether NOPD, OPSO, Louisiana State Police or another agency created the arrest record.
Check attorney and court information
Save any docket, section, Magistrate or court identifiers displayed.
Verify custody before sending money or visiting
The person may be released or transferred after the original booking.
Continue to the court case
Use the criminal docket to determine what was actually prosecuted.
Orleans Justice Center
2800 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
Detainee matters:
504-202-9339
Booking decoder
Understand a New Orleans arrest result before using it
Common booking fields and their limits
| Field |
What it identifies |
What it does not prove |
Next action |
| Folder or inmate number |
The person’s OPSO detention identifier. |
The final criminal outcome. |
Use for jail, mail, visits and account questions. |
| Booking date |
When the person entered the booking process. |
The exact offense date. |
Use to separate multiple arrests. |
| Arresting agency |
The police or law-enforcement agency responsible for the arrest. |
OPSO wrote the police report. |
Request the report from this agency. |
| Booking charge |
An allegation entered during arrest or intake. |
What the District Attorney formally prosecuted. |
Read the court docket. |
| Bond |
A release amount or court-approved bond type. |
Posting one bond clears all holds. |
Confirm every charge and bond with the Clerk. |
| Court section |
The Criminal District Court section handling the case. |
The case has reached final disposition. |
Check the latest section docket. |
| Warrant |
A court order associated with arrest or custody. |
An old warrant remains active. |
Check the newest docket entry. |
| Release |
The listed detention event ended. |
The charges were dismissed. |
Find the court disposition. |
| Mugshot |
A booking photograph when available. |
Identity alone, prosecution or guilt. |
Match stronger official identifiers. |
Identity check
Make sure the arrest belongs to the right person
Full legal name is consistent
Middle name, suffix or alias matches
Date of birth or age matches
Booking date matches the known arrest
Arresting agency is correct
Folder or booking number is recorded
Court case matches the same incident
Disposition follows the same charge
Do not use only a name or photograph. Confirm at least two independent identifiers before treating a record as belonging to a particular person.
Troubleshooting
No New Orleans jail record found? Check these causes
Booking is still underway
Fingerprinting, intake and database processing can delay the result.
The name is different
Try surname only, maiden names, hyphenated names, aliases and suffixes.
The person was released quickly
Police processing does not always result in continuing OJC custody.
Another parish has custody
Search where the arrest actually occurred rather than the home address.
The person entered state custody
Search Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections after a transfer.
A different agency made the arrest
NOPD, OPSO and Louisiana State Police maintain different reports.
No prosecution was filed
A booking can exist without a later criminal prosecution.
The record is restricted
Juvenile, expunged and legally protected records may not be publicly available.
Missing-custody call script
I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is being processed, currently held, released, transferred or listed under another folder or booking identifier?
Local case lifecycle
What happens after a New Orleans arrest?
Police investigation
NOPD or another law-enforcement agency creates the incident and arrest documentation.
Booking and identification
Orleans Parish detention staff process identity, charges, warrants and custody information.
Magistrate appearance
Initial proceedings can address probable cause, counsel and release.
Bail or release decision
A judge or commissioner determines the applicable bond or release conditions.
District Attorney review
Prosecutors decide which charges to pursue.
Criminal District Court case
Felony and misdemeanor state criminal matters within the court’s jurisdiction proceed through the assigned section.
Disposition
The record can end through dismissal, acquittal, plea, conviction, judgment or sentence.
Correction or expungement
Missing disposition information can be corrected, and qualifying records may later be expunged.
Record ownership
Send the request to the office that created the record
New Orleans arrest records are split among several offices
| You need |
Correct office |
Useful identifier |
Do not confuse it with |
| Current detention |
Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office |
Name, DOB, folder or booking number |
NOPD police-report records |
| NOPD arrest/incident report |
NOPD Records & Identification |
NOPD item/report number |
Sheriff detention record |
| State criminal case |
Orleans Criminal District Court Clerk |
Case/docket number |
Police booking allegation |
| Municipal/Traffic case |
Municipal & Traffic Court |
Municipal or traffic case number |
Criminal District Court when jurisdiction differs |
| Prosecution file request |
Orleans Parish District Attorney |
Court case number |
Requesting an NOPD investigative file from the DA |
| Personal Louisiana rap sheet |
Louisiana State Police BCII |
Fingerprint-based identity |
A public name-only people search |
NOPD police reports
Request a New Orleans Police arrest or incident report
NOPD Records & Identification Division
1615 Poydras Street, 5th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70112
Records & Documents:
504-658-5455
Public counter: Monday–Friday, approximately 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Confirm NOPD created the report
Check the OPSO booking or court record for the arresting agency.
Locate the NOPD item number
NOPD Form 026 can contain the item number, signal number, occurrence date, location, reporting time, officer and district.
Enter the narrowest possible request
Provide the report number, full name, event date, location and court case number.
Request electronic delivery when practical
Avoid unnecessary paper and delivery charges.
Set a cost ceiling
Ask the City to contact you before processing if the estimated cost exceeds your limit.
Save the request tracking information
Use it for status questions instead of filing duplicate requests.
Published public-record charges
| Record service |
Published charge |
Important note |
| Paper copies |
$0.50 per page |
Applies under the City’s public-record fee schedule. |
| Electronic records copied to CD |
$25 base fee |
Additional service charges may apply. |
| Delivery |
Postage/delivery cost |
Depends on the form and bulk of the record. |
Information NOPD may withhold or redact
Social Security numbers
Sex-offense victim identity
Minor-victim identity
Rap sheets
Undercover officer identity
Confidential informant identity
Juvenile court records
Pending criminal investigation records when legally exempt
Expunged misdemeanor information
Protected intelligence and work-product material
Copy-ready NOPD request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable NOPD arrest report, incident report and identified supplements concerning [full legal name] for the event on [date] at [location]. The NOPD item/report number is [number], Orleans Parish folder/booking number is [number], and related criminal court case number is [number]. Please provide an estimate before processing if costs will exceed $[amount].
Criminal District Court
Find the formal charges and final New Orleans court outcome
Open the official Criminal District Court website
Select
Criminal Court Case Status. The court’s official site sends the live case-status search to its authorized Clerk Connect service.
Open Criminal District Court
Search by docket number when known
Use a name search only when the exact court number is unavailable.
Confirm the defendant
Compare name, arrest date and other available information.
Check the Magistrate history
Initial appearances, probable-cause proceedings and bond decisions can occur before assignment to a trial section.
Identify the assigned court section
Criminal District Court operates Sections A through L plus Magistrate Court.
Find the filed charges
Compare the formal prosecution with the original arrest allegation.
Read every later charge entry
Charges can be amended, reduced, added or dismissed.
Check warrant entries chronologically
An old warrant-issued entry may be followed by service, recall or another order.
Locate the final disposition
Look for dismissal, acquittal, plea, conviction, judgment and sentence.
Order certified proof when necessary
The Clerk handles certified documents, dispositions and criminal background checks.
Courthouse entry rule: Criminal District Court states that cellular phones, weapons, cameras, audio/video recording equipment and food are not allowed in the building.
Court documents and fees
Get an Orleans Parish disposition or certified criminal document
Published Magistrate/Clerk charges
| Service |
Published amount |
Use |
| Uncertified copy |
$1.50 |
Ordinary reference copy under the published Magistrate fee schedule. |
| Certified copy |
$2.00 |
When formal certification is required. |
| Disposition – same day |
$20 |
Fast disposition request. |
| Disposition – next day |
$10 |
Lower-cost disposition option. |
| Bond fee |
$10 |
Published Magistrate bond processing fee. |
| Expungement |
$550 |
Published Orleans Parish expungement cost. |
Ask the recipient whether it needs an ordinary copy, certified document, disposition or full background check before paying.
Warrant status
Check a New Orleans warrant safely
Find the related criminal case
Use Criminal Court Case Status through the official Criminal District Court website.
Read the most recent docket entries
Look for warrant issuance, service, recall, cancellation or another court action.
Check the Magistrate record when appropriate
A recent arrest or failure-to-appear matter may have Magistrate entries.
Confirm Municipal or Traffic jurisdiction when necessary
Municipal and Traffic Court is separate from Criminal District Court.
Call the Clerk before acting on an uncertain result
Use
504-658-9000.
Contact a defense lawyer when the warrant concerns you
A lawyer can explain appearance and release options.
Never confront or attempt to detain another person because of an online warrant result.
Payment scam warning: Verify any unexpected warrant-payment demand with the Clerk or court using independently obtained contact information.
Bail and release
Understand New Orleans bond types before paying
The Orleans Parish District Attorney explains that bond is generally addressed by a magistrate judge or commissioner at an initial appearance, commonly within 72 hours of arrest.
Cash bond
The bail amount is paid through the court’s authorized bond process.
Commercial bond
A licensed commercial bail bond company posts the required undertaking.
Property bond
Qualifying Louisiana immovable property may be used under the Clerk’s rules.
Personal surety / ROR
The judge can authorize a personal-surety undertaking or release on recognizance.
Identify every open case
Do not rely on one displayed bond amount.
Check every warrant and detainer
A separate hold may prevent release.
Confirm the current judicial order
Bond conditions can change after the initial booking.
Use Room 104 for Clerk bond processing
Bond Department: 2700 Tulane Avenue, Room 104.
Confirm hours before traveling
The Bond Department currently publishes extended weekday processing hours.
Keep the receipt and bond documents
Save the docket number and payer information.
Orleans Criminal Clerk Bond Department
2700 Tulane Avenue, Room 104
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone:
504-658-9000
Published Bond Department hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Orleans Justice Center visitation
Register for an OJC visit without using an outdated schedule
OPSO requires visitors to read and accept its current visitation rules before proceeding to registration. Confirm the live schedule directly because housing and operational restrictions can change.
Confirm the detainee is still in OPSO custody
Search the person again on the day you plan the visit.
Save the folder number
Visitor registration can require the correct detainee identifier.
Read every rule before continuing
OPSO requires acceptance of the rules before opening the registration process.
Complete visitor registration accurately
Use your legal identity information and answer eligibility questions truthfully.
Wait for approval
Do not travel merely because the registration form was submitted.
Confirm visitor-list status
Ask whether the visitor currently shows as active for the detainee.
Check the current visit time and location
Facility operations can affect normal visiting availability.
Bring current government photo ID
Identification must match the visitor registration.
Recheck custody before leaving home
Release or transfer can invalidate the visit.
Visitation checklist
Follow these Orleans Parish visitor safeguards
Before registration
- Confirm custody.
- Confirm the detainee folder number.
- Read OPSO’s current rules.
- Use the official OPSO registration path.
- Wait for visitor approval.
Before traveling
- Confirm active visitor status.
- Confirm current appointment time.
- Bring valid photo identification.
- Check clothing restrictions.
- Ask about rules for children.
At the facility
- Follow security screening directions.
- Keep children under direct supervision.
- Do not bring unauthorized cameras or recording devices.
- Follow staff instructions.
- Expect cancellation during emergencies or lockdowns.
OPSO maintains separate procedures for attorney visits. Lawyers and professional visitors should use the official Attorney Visitation page rather than family registration.
Mail, telephone and commissary
Use the service currently approved by Orleans Parish Sheriff
Personal mail
- Confirm the detainee name and folder number.
- Open OPSO’s current Mail Instructions.
- Use the exact address shown by OPSO.
- Include a complete return address.
- Do not send cash or prohibited property.
Telephone and communication
- Use only the provider linked from OPSO.
- Verify the detainee before funding an account.
- Review charges before payment.
- Assume ordinary personal calls may be monitored.
- Use attorney procedures for privileged communication.
Commissary
- Use OPSO’s Detainee Commissary page.
- Enter the correct detainee identifier.
- Check deposit limits and fees.
- Save the transaction receipt.
- Do not send money through an unverified advertisement.
Legal calls: Do not discuss confidential defense strategy on ordinary recorded jail calls or messages.
Defense representation
Get help from Orleans Public Defenders
Orleans Public Defenders
2601 Tulane Avenue, Suite 700
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone:
504-821-8101
Fax: 504-821-5285
Get the detainee’s court case number
Search the court status or ask the Clerk.
Confirm whether counsel has already been appointed
Representation can begin shortly after arrest.
Call Orleans Public Defenders
Provide the full legal name, DOB and case number.
Call 504-821-8101
Provide every related case
Multiple dockets, warrants or probation matters can affect strategy and release.
Ask about Client Services
OPD social workers and advocates can assist with housing, treatment, employment, reentry and alternatives to incarceration.
Keep case discussion confidential
Speak to counsel through an approved attorney communication method.
Victim & witness assistance
Get case support from the Orleans Parish District Attorney
Orleans Parish District Attorney – Victim/Witness Unit
619 South White Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone:
504-822-2414
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Have the NOPD item number ready
Also provide the criminal court docket number when a prosecution has been filed.
Ask to be connected with the assigned advocate
Victim/Witness staff support people affected by crime through the prosecution.
Request court-date information
Ask about hearings, trial preparation and sentencing.
Discuss safety concerns
Advocates can help explain available local resources.
Ask for help understanding the courtroom process
Advocates may accompany and prepare victims and witnesses for hearings.
Request appropriate service referrals
This may include crisis, domestic violence, sexual-assault and other victim resources.
Louisiana state custody
Check Louisiana Corrections after a state-prison transfer
Use state corrections for
- People transferred from parish custody after sentence
- Louisiana state offender information
- State institution identification
- Probation/parole or correctional routing
Do not use it for
- A brand-new NOPD arrest
- Current OJC booking details
- NOPD police reports
- The official Criminal District Court judgment
Confirm the person left Orleans Parish custody
Check OPSO first.
Record the current institution
State-prison visitation, mail and money rules depend on the facility.
Return to the court judgment for legal proof
Corrections custody is not the certified conviction document.
Louisiana criminal history
Get your own Louisiana State Police Right to Review
Louisiana is a closed-record state. Louisiana State Police does not provide unrestricted public access to its computerized criminal-history database for ordinary people-search purposes.
Mailed Right to Review
- Fingerprint-supported Louisiana criminal history
- Printed True Copy
- Employee signature
- Raised state seal
- Recommended when an official paper copy is needed
Electronic Right to Review
- Secure email link
- One-time access
- Link expires after 30 days
- Must be opened/printed from a computer
- Intended primarily for personal review
Schedule fingerprinting through LAPS
LSP now uses a statewide network of digital fingerprint sites.
Select paper or electronic delivery
Choose according to how the record will be used.
Complete identity verification and fingerprints
Fingerprints are used to match the correct state criminal-history record.
Pay the amount shown during enrollment
Fingerprint-site and service charges can depend on the selected process.
Review every arrest event
Compare the date of arrest, original charges and final dispositions.
Identify missing dispositions
Obtain certified proof from the Orleans Parish Clerk or District Attorney.
Louisiana State Police states that a disposition is the final outcome of a charge. To update a missing disposition, the agency needs certified documentation that identifies the person, arrest date, original booking charges and final outcome.
Correct an inaccurate record
Fix the source of a wrong New Orleans arrest entry
Determine which database is wrong
Compare the OPSO booking, NOPD report, Criminal District Court case and Louisiana Right to Review.
Save the incorrect information
Record the URL, folder number, NOPD item number, docket number and disputed field.
Obtain the controlling document
Examples include the corrected police report or certified court disposition.
Correct NOPD information with NOPD
The Sheriff’s Office cannot change an NOPD incident report.
Correct court data through the Clerk or court
Obtain an amended or certified record when necessary.
Send missing disposition proof to Louisiana State Police
Use certified, unaltered court or prosecutor documentation.
Include every original charge
LSP instructs users to account for all charges in a booking event when updating a disposition.
Recheck all systems after processing
One correction may not automatically update every database.
Correction versus expungement: Correct a record when the information is factually wrong. Use expungement when the record is accurate but legally qualifies for restricted access.
Louisiana expungement
Expunge an eligible New Orleans arrest or criminal case
Expungement is not automatic merely because a charge was dismissed. Eligibility depends on Louisiana law, the disposition, criminal history and statutory exceptions.
Clerk published cost
$550 for an Orleans Parish expungement filing under the Clerk’s current published instructions.
Louisiana State Police allocation
LSP identifies a $250 money-order component when its fee applies.
NOPD processing
NOPD says court-ordered Orleans adult-arrest expungements typically take about 6–8 months to process.
The Clerk’s published $550 process incorporates statutory agency charges. Follow the Clerk’s packet and payment instructions rather than independently paying every listed agency amount twice.
Get your Louisiana Right to Review first
LSP strongly recommends this fingerprint-based record before preparing an expungement.
Match the arrest date exactly
LSP explains that the state rap sheet uses the date fingerprints were collected during the arrest/booking process.
List the original arrest charge
Use the charge as originally booked even if prosecutors later amended it.
Include every count
Do not omit one count from a multi-charge arrest.
Request the certification packet
The Clerk directs applicants to Room 210.
Take the Certification Letter and fee-waiver letter to the District Attorney
Complete the required prosecutor-side portion of the packet.
Return the completed documents to Room 210
Clerk staff review the documents before payment and filing.
Make the required payment
The Clerk currently accepts cash, business check, money order, cashier’s check and credit card; credit-card transactions carry an additional service fee.
File the stamped motion and receipt
Return them to the expungement section as directed.
Make sure the order contains complete identifying information
LSP warns that orders missing identifying information or arrest dates cannot be processed correctly.
Keep certified copies of the signed order
These may be needed when verifying updates across NOPD, OPSO and State Police.
Common expungement mistakes flagged by Louisiana State Police
Using the court filing date instead of the state rap-sheet arrest date
Listing only the amended charge instead of the original booking charge
Leaving out one count from a multi-count arrest
Putting a misdemeanor conviction in the felony section
Putting a felony conviction in the misdemeanor section
Failing to attach required dispositions
Failing to obtain required prosecutor certification
Failing to amend the proposed order when the motion changes
LSP states that a person who has ever been convicted of a felony, including a previously expunged felony, is not eligible for the particular statutory fee waiver described in its expungement instructions.
Older NOPD records
Searching a New Orleans arrest from before modern databases
NOPD states that the New Orleans Public Library maintains historical police documentation, including arrest records covering approximately 1881–1966.
Estimate the arrest year
Older searches work best with a narrow time range.
Collect the full name and aliases
Include alternate spellings found in family, court or newspaper records.
Request a narrow archive search
Provide name, approximate year and the type of police document needed.
In-page answer coverage
Important New Orleans details already extracted for you
Detainee search
Where to start, identifiers to save, identity checks and no-result troubleshooting.
NOPD records
Records office, report workflow, public-record fees and common redactions.
Criminal court
Case status, Magistrate stage, court sections, certified dispositions and Clerk fees.
Bail and bond
Cash, commercial, property, personal surety and recognizance routes.
Jail and family help
Visitation registration, mail, calls, commissary, public defender and victim assistance.
Record relief
Louisiana Right to Review, disposition corrections and Orleans Parish expungement workflow.
Title-related questions
New Orleans arrest-record questions answered
How do I search New Orleans arrest records?
Start with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Detainee Search, save the booking identifiers and then verify the related criminal court case.
How do I find someone in Orleans Justice Center?
Open the official OPSO Detainees page and select Detainee Search. If the result is unclear, call Orleans Justice Center at 504-202-9339.
Where do I request an NOPD arrest report?
Use the City of New Orleans Police Report Request process or contact NOPD Records & Identification at 504-658-5455.
How do I find the final court outcome?
Use the Criminal Court Case Status link on the official Orleans Criminal District Court website and obtain a disposition from the Clerk when proof is required.
How much is a criminal disposition?
The Orleans Criminal Clerk currently publishes $20 for same-day disposition results and $10 for next-day results.
What types of bail are used in New Orleans?
The Clerk processes commercial, property, cash, personal-surety and release-on-recognizance bonds when authorized.
How do I visit someone in Orleans Justice Center?
Use the official OPSO Detainee Visitation page, read and accept the current rules, complete visitor registration and wait for approval before traveling.
Can I search Louisiana State Police criminal records for another person?
Louisiana is a closed-record state. State Police criminal-history records are not an unrestricted public people-search database. Individuals may obtain their own Right to Review.
How much is an Orleans Parish expungement?
The Orleans Criminal Clerk currently publishes a $550 expungement cost. Follow the Clerk’s packet so required agency allocations are handled correctly.
How long does NOPD expungement processing take?
NOPD states that processing a court-ordered expungement involving an adult Orleans Parish arrest typically takes approximately six to eight months.