St. John the Baptist Bench Warrants
Bench warrants in St. John the Baptist Parish are issued by the 40th Judicial District Court when individuals fail to appear for court hearings or violate court-ordered conditions. Sheriff Mike Tregre leads the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office from 1801 West Airline Highway in LaPlace. This department stands out because it regularly publishes detailed arrest reports that include bench warrant arrests, giving the public direct access to see who has been brought in on outstanding warrants. Multiple contact options exist for checking bench warrant status, including phone lines, online resources, and a free mobile app.
St. John the Baptist Parish Quick Facts
St. John the Baptist Warrant Search
The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office website is the primary resource for bench warrant information in the parish.
The department website provides access to arrest reports, a most wanted list, and crime mapping tools. The sheriff's office also offers a free mobile app that includes warrant information, inmate research, and notification features. Call (985) 652-9513 for the main office. The TIPS line is 985-359-TIPS. Criminal Investigations can be reached at 985-359-8769. CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111 takes anonymous tips about individuals with outstanding bench warrants.
The published arrest reports are especially useful. They regularly show bench warrant arrests with detailed information. Recent reports have listed individuals booked on bench warrants for contempt of court at both misdemeanor and felony levels. For example, entries show names, ages, addresses, and whether the bench warrant was for misdemeanor or felony contempt. These reports note that the information is provided under the Public Records Act and does not imply guilt.
Types of Warrants in St. John the Baptist
The arrest reports from St. John the Baptist Parish reveal several types of warrants that the department handles. Bench warrants for contempt of court make up a large share. These come in two levels: misdemeanor and felony. Attachment warrants for contempt of court are also common. Fugitive warrants from other jurisdictions show up when someone with an outstanding warrant from another parish or state is found in St. John the Baptist Parish.
La. C.Cr.P. Art. 349.1 authorizes the 40th Judicial District Court to issue bench warrants. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 202 covers arrest warrants based on probable cause. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 203 lists what every warrant must include: the person's name, the offense, the date and parish, and the judge's signature and title. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 205 makes all Louisiana warrants perpetual. They do not expire. The most wanted page at the sheriff's website shows the most serious cases, but many more bench warrants exist that do not make that list. Contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 985-359-8769 for specific warrant inquiries.
St. John the Baptist Court Records
Clerk of Court Felicia Feist manages all court records for the 40th Judicial District Court. The clerk's office is at 2393 Highway 18 in Edgard. Phone is (985) 497-3331. Mailing address is P.O. Box 280, Edgard, LA 70049. Bench warrant filings and case dockets are maintained here as part of the criminal records. La. R.S. 44:1 classifies these as public documents, and La. R.S. 44:31 gives adults the right to inspect them.
The sheriff's office also operates a substation in Edgard at 2393 Louisiana 18. This substation provides additional access for residents who need to check on warrants or other law enforcement matters. La. R.S. 44:32 allows the clerk to charge reasonable fees for copies of records. La. R.S. 44:3 exempts juvenile cases, sealed records, and active investigation files from public access, but standard adult bench warrants are available. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 336 governs how bail is set after a bench warrant arrest, and La. C.Cr.P. Art. 162 controls the procedures officers follow when executing warrants in the parish.
Resolving St. John the Baptist Warrants
If you have a bench warrant from the 40th Judicial District Court, it will not go away on its own. The detailed arrest reports published by the sheriff's office show that bench warrant arrests happen regularly in St. John the Baptist Parish. Hire a lawyer who practices in the 40th JDC. An attorney can check your case, file a motion to recall the warrant, and help you surrender voluntarily. La. C.Cr.P. Art. 211.1 provides limited discretion for minor bench warrants, but most result in arrest and booking. Voluntary surrender shows the judge you take the matter seriously. Contact the clerk of court at (985) 497-3331 or the sheriff's TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS for more information.
Nearby Parishes
St. John the Baptist Parish is along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. These neighboring parishes may have bench warrant records relevant to your search.