Find Houma Bench Warrants

Bench warrants in Houma are issued through the Houma City Court and the 32nd Judicial District Court in Terrebonne Parish. The Houma Police Department and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office both help enforce bench warrants in the city. The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government oversees city services, including court operations. Residents who need to check for active bench warrants can contact the Houma Police Department at (985) 873-6371 or the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office at (985) 876-2500. Under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 349.1, judges issue bench warrants when defendants fail to appear for scheduled hearings.

Searching for Bench Warrants in Houma

Houma does not have a public online warrant search database. To check for bench warrants, call the Houma Police Department at (985) 873-6371 or the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office at (985) 876-2500. You can also contact the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government at 1-800-35-HOUMA or (985) 868-5050 for general inquiries.

The screenshot shows the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office website. TPSO handles bench warrant enforcement for the entire parish including Houma. Walk-in requests can be made during business hours. Phone inquiries are the quickest way to check for active warrants.

Under La. R.S. 44:1, court records including bench warrants are public records in Louisiana. La. R.S. 44:31 gives adults the right to inspect these records. La. R.S. 44:32 governs fees for copies. The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court maintains all case files for the 32nd JDC.

Houma Court System

Terrebonne Parish handles all bench warrant cases for Houma through the 32nd Judicial District Court. The city court handles misdemeanor and traffic bench warrants. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 202 covers arrest warrants from police investigations. Art. 349.1 covers bench warrants. Art. 203 lists what must appear on a warrant. Art. 205 confirms that warrants do not expire in Louisiana. Art. 162 addresses search warrants, a separate category.

When a bench warrant is issued, it goes into the statewide system. Any officer in Louisiana can arrest you on it. The Houma Police Department, TPSO, state police, and officers in other jurisdictions all have access to the database. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 336 governs bail conditions. Art. 211.1 allows summons in lieu of arrest for certain misdemeanors.

Understanding Bench Warrants in Houma

A bench warrant is not the same as an arrest warrant. Arrest warrants come from police investigations. Bench warrants come from judges. The judge issues a bench warrant from the bench when a defendant does not show up for court. It can also happen when someone breaks the terms of their bail or probation. Once a bench warrant is out, it does not expire. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 205 makes that clear. A bench warrant from three years ago is just as valid today as the day it was issued. The only way to clear it is through the court.

La. C.Cr.P. Art. 203 lists what must appear on a warrant. This includes the name of the accused, the offense charged, and the signature of the issuing judge. Bench warrants also include the original case number, the bond amount if one is set, and the date the warrant was issued. All of this goes into the court file. Under La. R.S. 44:31, any adult can request to see these records.

Resolving Bench Warrants in Houma

To clear a bench warrant in Houma, contact the court that issued it. An attorney can file a motion to recall the warrant and set a new hearing. For city court bench warrants, contact the Houma City Court. For 32nd JDC warrants, go through the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 336 lets the judge set new bail conditions when recalling a warrant.

Voluntary surrender at the police department or parish jail is generally viewed more favorably by judges. The Louisiana State Bar Association has a referral service. Legal aid organizations in the Houma area may provide free help to qualifying residents. La. R.S. 44:3 lists exemptions to public records access for sealed and juvenile records. Contact the clerk of court for copies of your case file. If your bench warrant is tied to unpaid fines, paying what you owe may help your case, but you will still need to appear before the judge. Bond amounts vary based on the original charge and how long the warrant has been outstanding.

Nearby Cities

Houma is the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish in south Louisiana. No other cities on this site are in the immediate Houma area. Bench warrants from Terrebonne Parish or the Houma City Court can be served anywhere in the state of Louisiana.