New Orleans Criminal Records
New Orleans criminal records are held at the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, a dedicated criminal court building that handles cases separately from the civil side. The clerk office at 2700 Tulane Avenue keeps case files, arrest records, and criminal disposition records for felony and misdemeanor cases filed in Orleans Parish.
New Orleans Quick Facts
Where New Orleans Criminal Records Are Held
New Orleans has something most Louisiana cities do not: a dedicated Criminal District Court that handles nothing but criminal cases. The court sits at 2700 Tulane Avenue in Mid-City. Civil matters go to a separate court on Loyola Avenue downtown. This split means New Orleans criminal case files are concentrated in one place, which makes searching easier once you know where to look.
The Clerk of Criminal District Court maintains all New Orleans criminal files at the Tulane Avenue location. Felony cases, anything carrying more than one year in prison, go through this court. Misdemeanor cases may also land here depending on how charges are filed. The clerk office handles certified copies, case lookups, and in-person requests for New Orleans criminal records.
| Court | Orleans Parish Criminal District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2700 Tulane Avenue New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Phone | (504) 658-9000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | criminalcourt.org |
Street parking and a small lot are available near the New Orleans courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID. Security screens all visitors at the door. The clerk staff can pull New Orleans case files by case number or defendant name during business hours.
Note: The Orleans Parish Criminal District Court handles cases for Orleans Parish only. If a New Orleans criminal case was filed in Jefferson Parish or another nearby parish, you need to contact that parish's court.
New Orleans Police Department Records Portal
The New Orleans Police Department maintains its own records division separate from the criminal court clerk. New Orleans arrest reports, incident reports, and police records go through NOPD. These police records are different from court case files. New Orleans police records show what happened at the time of arrest, while court files show what happened after a case was filed.
NOPD's Records Division is at 715 South Broad Street, First Floor, New Orleans, LA 70119. You can reach them by phone at (504) 658-5455. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours. You can also submit New Orleans public records requests online through the NOPD portal.
The NOPD uses NextRequest for online public records requests. You can submit a request, track its status, and download records when they are ready. The portal is available at nola.nextrequest.com. New Orleans records available through this system include incident reports, arrest reports, and body camera footage in some cases.
The image below shows the NOPD public records portal where you can submit requests for New Orleans police records and criminal records online.
The NOPD portal allows you to search New Orleans records by report number, incident date, or officer name in some cases. Most requests are processed within 5 to 10 business days, though complex requests may take longer.
Note: New Orleans police reports are public records under Louisiana's Public Records Law, but some information may be redacted if a case is still open or involves a minor.
ClerkConnect Online Search for New Orleans Criminal Records
ClerkConnect is the online case search portal used by the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court and several other Louisiana parishes. You can search New Orleans criminal case records from home without going to the courthouse. Access is free with registration.
To use ClerkConnect, go to clerkconnect.com and create a free account. Once logged in, you can search New Orleans criminal records by defendant name or case number. Results show basic case information including charges, court dates, and dispositions. This is useful for verifying whether a New Orleans case exists or checking on its current status.
ClerkConnect does not give you certified copies of New Orleans case documents. For certified records, you still need to contact the clerk office directly. But for a quick name check or case lookup, the online system saves a trip to 2700 Tulane Avenue.
The image below shows the ClerkConnect portal, which provides free online access to New Orleans criminal court records.
ClerkConnect covers multiple Louisiana parishes. If you are searching New Orleans records across parishes, the same login works for all connected courts. Orleans is one of the major parishes in this system.
Note: Registration is required even for free New Orleans searches. You cannot browse records without an account.
What New Orleans Criminal Records Contain
New Orleans criminal records cover the full history of a case from the time it is filed with the clerk through final disposition. Each New Orleans case file is a collection of documents that grows as the case moves through the court system.
A typical New Orleans case file includes the bill of information or indictment (the formal charging document), all motions filed by the prosecution and defense, minute entries from each court appearance, plea information, trial records if the case went to trial, sentencing documents, and any post-conviction filings such as appeals or motions for new trial. Warrant information is also part of the New Orleans file when an arrest warrant was issued.
Attorney information appears in the New Orleans record, including the district attorney handling prosecution and defense counsel of record. Case files also show whether the defendant was represented by the Orleans Public Defenders office or private counsel.
Case dispositions are one of the most searched parts of a New Orleans criminal record. A disposition shows the final outcome: conviction, acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi (dropped by the state), or another result. If the defendant was convicted, the sentence is part of the record too.
Note: New Orleans juvenile criminal records are sealed and not available to the public under Louisiana law.
Expunging Criminal Records in New Orleans
Louisiana law allows some New Orleans criminal records to be expunged under RS 44:9. An expungement does not erase what happened, but it restricts who can see the record. After expungement, the New Orleans record is removed from most public searches. Law enforcement can still see expunged records in some circumstances.
To expunge a New Orleans criminal record, you file a motion for expungement with the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. The filing fee is $550 and is non-refundable even if the court denies the request. There are also fees paid to the arresting agency and the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII).
Not all New Orleans records qualify for expungement. First-offense misdemeanors may be expunged after five years with no other convictions. Some felonies can be expunged after ten years. Convictions for crimes of violence, sex offenses, and certain drug offenses generally do not qualify. A criminal defense attorney can review your New Orleans record and tell you if you are eligible.
The Orleans Public Defenders office and Southeast Louisiana Legal Services may be able to help low-income New Orleans residents with expungement petitions. The process involves multiple steps and agency notifications, so it takes several months from filing to completion.
Note: Even if a New Orleans criminal record is expunged, it may still appear on federal background checks or in records already shared before the expungement took effect.
State Resources for Louisiana Criminal History
The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII) is the central repository for criminal history records across the state. If you need a comprehensive Louisiana criminal history, not just New Orleans cases, the BCII is where you go.
The BCII operates through the Louisiana State Police. New Orleans residents can request their own criminal history record through LSP for self-review. Third-party background check requests go through different channels depending on the purpose. The LSP website at lsp.org has current forms and fees for criminal history record requests.
The image below shows the Louisiana State Police website where you can start a criminal history background check request through the BCII.
The Louisiana Department of Corrections at doc.la.gov maintains records on individuals who have been incarcerated in state prisons following criminal convictions. You can search the DOC offender database to find current and former incarceration records. This is separate from the court case file. The DOC record shows incarceration history, not the underlying court case.
Both the LSP BCII and the DOC database are statewide tools. They cover more than just Orleans Parish. If you are trying to build a full picture of a New Orleans resident's criminal history across Louisiana, these state-level sources are the place to start.
Note: The LSP BCII provides official criminal history records. Online third-party databases pull from various sources and may not be complete or current.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near New Orleans with criminal records pages include Metairie and Kenner, both in Jefferson Parish.
Orleans Parish Criminal Records
New Orleans sits entirely within Orleans Parish. All New Orleans criminal cases go through the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. For the full parish-level overview including fee schedules, additional court details, and parish-wide resources, visit the Orleans Parish criminal records page.