Red River Parish Bench Warrants
Bench warrants in Red River Parish are issued by the 39th Judicial District Court in Coushatta when individuals miss court appearances or violate court-ordered conditions. Sheriff Glen Edwards leads the Red River Parish Sheriff's Office, which handles the enforcement of all bench warrants throughout the parish. The office is at 615 East Carroll Drive in Coushatta and operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you need to check whether a bench warrant has been issued in Red River Parish, you can contact the sheriff's office by phone or visit in person. The clerk of court also maintains records of all warrants filed with the court.
Red River Parish Quick Facts
Red River Parish Warrant Search Options
Red River Parish does not have a dedicated online warrant search database. Warrant checks must be done through direct contact with the sheriff's office or the clerk of court. Call the sheriff at (318) 932-4221 during business hours. For in-person inquiries, visit 615 East Carroll Drive in Coushatta and bring a valid photo ID. Staff can tell you if an active bench warrant exists for a specific person. You will need to provide the full legal name and date of birth. Written requests can be mailed to P.O. Box 375, Coushatta, LA 71019.
The Red River Parish Clerk of Court website provides access to some online records through ClerkNet.
Stuart Shaw serves as Clerk of Court for Red River Parish. The office is at P.O. Box 485 in Coushatta. Phone is (318) 932-6741. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. E-Filing and E-Recording are available through the clerk's online portal. The clerk maintains all court records from the 39th Judicial District Court, including bench warrant filings. La. R.S. 44:1 classifies these as public records.
Red River Parish Court Search Tools
The Red River Parish court search portal offers a way to look up some court-related records online.
This municipal online payments system lets you search for court cases in Red River Parish. While it is primarily set up for paying fines and fees, the search function can show you case information that might include bench warrant entries. It is worth checking if you want to see what is on file before contacting the clerk or sheriff directly.
The Louisiana state page for Red River Parish provides general parish information and links to local resources.
This state-level resource connects you to parish offices and departments. It can help you find the right contact for bench warrant inquiries if you are not sure where to start. The District Attorney for the 39th Judicial District, Julie C. Jones, can be reached at (318) 932-4035 for questions about specific bench warrant cases.
How Red River Bench Warrants Are Handled
La. C.Cr.P. Art. 349.1 gives judges the authority to issue bench warrants. In Red River Parish, the 39th Judicial District Court uses this power when someone does not show up for a scheduled hearing. The warrant orders law enforcement to find the person and bring them to court. It is different from an arrest warrant under La. C.Cr.P. Art. 202, which comes from a police investigation based on probable cause.
Every bench warrant in Red River Parish must meet the requirements of La. C.Cr.P. Art. 203. The warrant must be in writing, include the date and parish of issuance, name the person, state the offense, and bear the magistrate's signature. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 205 says these warrants do not expire. They stay active until the person is found, surrenders, or the judge recalls the warrant. People booked on bench warrants in Red River Parish go to the Red River Parish Jail at 615 East Carroll Drive. The jail can be reached at (318) 932-5753. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 336 governs how the judge sets bail after a bench warrant arrest.
Public Records Access in Red River Parish
La. R.S. 44:31 gives every adult the right to inspect public records, and bench warrants fall into this category. You can visit the clerk of court or sheriff's office during business hours and ask to see warrant records. Viewing is free. La. R.S. 44:32 allows the agency to charge for copies. The clerk's office has set recording fees for court documents: $105 for 1 to 5 pages, $205 for 6 to 25 pages, and $305 for 26 to 50 pages. Additional pages beyond 50 cost $5 each. These are for recording documents, not for simple copies, which are typically less.
La. R.S. 44:3 does exempt some records from public access. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and documents tied to ongoing investigations may not be available. But standard adult bench warrants are public in Red River Parish. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 162 outlines the procedures for executing warrants, and Art. 211.1 gives officers limited discretion for minor misdemeanor bench warrants. For serious charges, arrest is the default when an active bench warrant is found during any contact with law enforcement.
Resolving Red River Parish Warrants
An active bench warrant in Red River Parish will follow you. It appears in state and national databases. Contact a lawyer who practices in the 39th Judicial District Court. An attorney can check the clerk's records, file a motion to recall the warrant, and arrange for a controlled surrender. Voluntary appearance is always better than getting arrested unexpectedly. Judges in Red River Parish take notice when someone shows up on their own. It can affect bond amounts and how the court handles the case going forward. Do not let a bench warrant sit. It only gets worse with time.
Nearby Parishes
Red River Parish is in northwest Louisiana. These neighboring parishes may have bench warrant records that are relevant to your search.