Search Pointe Coupee Bench Warrants
Bench warrants in Pointe Coupee Parish are issued through the 18th Judicial District Court when someone fails to appear for a court date or breaks conditions set by a judge. Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux leads the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff's Office in New Roads, which handles enforcement of all bench warrants across the parish. The department has 108 regular deputies and 35 part-time deputies available for warrant service. If you need to find out whether a bench warrant exists in Pointe Coupee Parish, contact the sheriff's office or the clerk of court for verification.
Pointe Coupee Parish Quick Facts
Pointe Coupee Warrant Search Methods
Pointe Coupee Parish does not have a public online warrant database. You need to contact the sheriff's office directly for warrant checks. Call (225) 638-5400 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is at 215 East Main Street in New Roads. For in-person visits, bring a valid photo ID. Staff can verify whether a bench warrant has been issued for a specific person if you provide the full legal name and date of birth.
Written requests can be sent to P.O. Box 248, New Roads, LA 70760. Include all identifying information for the person you are searching. The Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court, Lanell Swindler Landry, maintains all court records at the courthouse. Call the clerk's office at (225) 638-9596 for court record inquiries. La. R.S. 44:31 provides the legal right for any adult to inspect public records, including bench warrant documents. Fees for copies follow La. R.S. 44:32 guidelines.
The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff's Office website offers general information about the department and contact details.
The website states that the department is committed to providing the highest level of protection and service. While it does not feature a searchable warrant database, it does provide phone numbers and email addresses for reaching the right division. You can email Sheriff Thibodeaux directly at rthibodeaux@pcpso.org for general inquiries.
Pointe Coupee Bench Warrant Procedures
The 18th Judicial District Court issues bench warrants under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 349.1. This statute gives judges the power to compel a person's appearance when they have missed a scheduled court date. A bench warrant is not the same as an arrest warrant. Arrest warrants come from police investigations based on probable cause under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 202. Bench warrants are judicial enforcement tools aimed at getting people back into the courtroom.
La. C.Cr.P. Art. 203 spells out what every warrant must contain. It must be in writing and issued in the state's name. The date of issuance and the parish of origin must be shown. The person's name or a description sufficient for identification is required. The offense is stated with statutory citations. The magistrate signs the warrant and includes their official title. Pointe Coupee Parish bench warrants also include bond amounts, case numbers, and any special conditions that the judge has set. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 205 makes clear that these warrants never expire. They stay active until served or recalled.
Pointe Coupee Detention and Booking
The Louisiana Department of Corrections page for Pointe Coupee Parish provides detention facility information.
People arrested on bench warrants in Pointe Coupee Parish are booked at the Pointe Coupee Parish Detention Center at 10933 Cajun II Road in New Roads. The detention center can be reached at (225) 638-5407. Warden Darrel Roan manages the facility. After booking, individuals wait for a hearing before the judge who issued the bench warrant. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 336 determines how bail is set. The judge considers the original charge, any history of failing to appear, and whether the person is a flight risk.
The Criminal Investigation Division, led by Captain Josh Adams, handles complex warrant cases in Pointe Coupee Parish. Routine bench warrant service falls to the Uniform Patrol Division under Captain Robert Austin. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 162 outlines the procedures that deputies must follow when executing warrants, including proper identification and, when possible, presenting the warrant to the person being arrested.
Public Records in Pointe Coupee Parish
Louisiana's public records law is strong. La. R.S. 44:1 defines public records broadly to include court documents like bench warrants. La. R.S. 44:31 says any adult can inspect or copy these records. Viewing is free during business hours. Copies cost money under La. R.S. 44:32, but the fees must be reasonable. The Pointe Coupee Parish Clerk of Court and the sheriff's office both honor public records requests. La. R.S. 44:3 does exempt some categories, including juvenile records, sealed cases, and documents related to active investigations.
The District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District, Antonio M. Clayton, handles prosecutions in Pointe Coupee Parish. His office can be reached at (225) 638-5531. If you need information about a specific bench warrant case, the DA's office may have details about the underlying charges and the status of the prosecution. Mailing address is P.O. Drawer 880, Plaquemine, LA 70765-0880. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 211.1 allows officers some discretion for minor bench warrants, but in general, if you are found with an active warrant in Pointe Coupee Parish, expect to be arrested and taken to the detention center.
Resolving Warrants in Pointe Coupee
Do not wait for police to find you. If you know you have a bench warrant in Pointe Coupee Parish, the smartest move is to get a lawyer and address it voluntarily. An attorney who practices in the 18th Judicial District Court can file a motion to recall the warrant or help arrange your surrender. Judges in Pointe Coupee Parish generally respond more favorably to voluntary appearances than to forced arrests. The bench warrant will not disappear on its own. It shows up in state and national databases, which means any contact with law enforcement anywhere could lead to your arrest. Handle it on your terms.
Nearby Parishes
Pointe Coupee Parish is in south-central Louisiana along the Mississippi River. These neighboring parishes may have relevant bench warrant records.