What are Lake Charles Public Records?
The Louisiana Public Records Act describes Lake Charles public records as information generated or used by a government body for official purposes. The Act provides access to these records in whatever form, including documents, photographs, microfilms, and other storage forms. However, some records are considered confidential and cannot be obtained by the public. Examples include accident or crash reports, some investigative records, information identifying minors, certain medical records, and trade secrets.
Lake Charles Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes annual crime statistics for all cities, under its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In 2019, Lake Charles had 413 violent crimes, including 83 robberies, 267 aggravated assault cases, 52 rape incidents, and 11 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases. There were also 2,907 property crimes, including 1,467 larceny-thefts, 228 motor vehicle thefts, and 1,212 burglary incidents. There was no reported arson in 2019. With a total of 3,320 offenses, 2019 saw a 23.7% reduction in reported criminal activity.
Are Lake Charles Criminal Records Public?
Lake Charles criminal records are not considered public. In accordance with Louisiana law, only authorized agencies may request and obtain copies of criminal history reports in the state. The agencies may obtain these records as part of employment or licensure considerations, or for investigative purposes.
Interested persons may conduct internet background checks for $26, payable using cards from Discover, Mastercard, American Express, or Visa. Mail requests are also possible by sending completed copies of the appropriate forms with payment to the:
Louisiana State Police
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
P.O. Box 66614 – Box A-6
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
How to Obtain Lake Charles Police Reports and Arrest Records
Requestors may obtain copies of police reports and arrest records from the Lake Charles Police Department (LCPD). The LCPD provides initial incident, dispatch, and crash reports. Initial incident reports are only available for criminal damage, burglary, and theft offenses, and are free of charge if the requestor was involved. Access to crash reports is restricted to involved persons and their insurance companies for $7.50 per report. Online crash reports are also available for an extra 50-cent processing fee, payable by credit or debit card. Dispatch reports cost $5 per call. Payments are accepted only by check or cash.
Interested persons may visit the LCPD to request and obtain records. Parties may also call the Records Division to obtain more information before visiting.
Lake Charles Police Department
Records Division
830 Enterprise Boulevard
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 491-1456, ext. 5534
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Lake Charles
The Louisiana State Police maintains an online sex offender registry for statewide sex offender information. To find Lake Charles sex offender records, requestors should select the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office link and conduct a name, area, city, phone number, or internet name/email search. The registry displays each offender's full name, risk level, current status, registration number, and booking photograph. Other available details include a physical description, address, and offense details.
How to Find Lake Charles Inmate Records
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO) maintains an online jail roster page. The page displays a list of all inmates in the facilities operated by the CPSO, including each inmate's full name, date of birth, race, gender, and arrest date. While the inmate's names are displayed alphabetically, the page also lets users filter the list by the first letter of the inmate's last name.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Lake Charles Jail?
Lake Charles inmates are held at one of two facilities operated by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. These include the Calcasieu Correctional Center and the Calcasieu Sheriff's Prison, which has the Women's Correctional Services building as an annex. Both facilities have visitation schedules with varying times for each approved day. No regular visits take place on Saturdays. However, trusty visitation is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. Prospective visitors may schedule visits or request more information using the following details:
Physical Addresses:
Calcasieu Correctional Center
5410 East Broad Street
Lake Charles, LA 70615
Calcasieu Sheriff's Prison
5300 East Broad Street
Lake Charles, LA 70615
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2017
Lake Charles, LA 70602
Court Records
Courts sitting in the City of Lake Charles include the Calcasieu 14th Judicial District Court, Lake Charles City Court, and the Justice of the Peace Ward 1. The District Court has general jurisdiction over all cases in the parish. However, it shares jurisdiction with the City Court for offenses connected to driving while intoxicated. The City and Justice of the Peace are limited jurisdiction courts, which hear some criminal and civil cases, and may share some jurisdiction with the District Court.
Locations of Courts in Lake Charles
Calcasieu 14th Judicial District Court
1000 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 437-3550
Fax: (337) 437-3350
Lake Charles City Court
118 West Mill Street
Lake Charles, LA 70602
Phone: (337) 491-1564 (Civil)
Fax: (337) 491-1303 (Fax)
Phone: (337) 491-1565 (Criminal)
Fax: (337) 491-8745 (Criminal)
Calcasieu Justice of the Peace, Ward 1
1207 Cheyenne Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70611
Phone: (337) 855-4065
Are Lake Charles Court Records Public?
Lake Charles court records are primarily public. All interested persons may make official requests to inspect court records or obtain copies as desired. The courts may, however, prevent public access to certain records. For instance, juvenile court records are closed to the public. Furthermore, access to sealed or expunged court records may only be obtained with a court order.
Can You Look up a Lake Charles Court Case Online?
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court provides online access to Lake Charles court records. Interested persons may access online services by creating accounts on the criminal and civil online indexes, depending on the desired case type. Online search subscription fees vary by record type and duration. For example, a 1-day subscription costs $10 and $1 per page. For a 12-month subscription, each user will be charged $660, plus 50 cents per page.
Online access to criminal records costs a one-day minimum subscription of $20, plus $1 per page. The maximum subscription is for 12 months at $780, plus 50 cents per page. Other subscription options are available.
How to Obtain Lake Charles Civil Court Case Records
Interested requestors may obtain copies of Lake Charles civil court records from the Clerk of Court's Civil Records Department. Requestors must provide party names, an approximate year, and a suit or instrument number for each record. Copies cost $1 per page, plus $10 for certification. If the year is unknown, the Civil Records Department will perform a 10-year name search for $15. Persons who prefer to receive fax copies must call the department for applicable fees. Requestors may contact the department by calling (337) 437-3558, extensions, 126, 127, 132, 203, and 153. Fax requests should be sent to (337) 437-3830 Alternatively, parties may request in person or by mail, using the following information:
Physical Address:
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
1000 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 7060
Hour: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1030
Lake Charles, LA 70602
How to Obtain Lake Charles Criminal Court Case Records
The Clerk of Court's Criminal Records Department issues copies of Lake Charles criminal court records to the general public. Excluding court minutes, copies of criminal court records cost $1 per page, plus $5 for certification with a stamp and a seal. An extract of court minutes costs $10.
Requestors should provide party names, case year, suit number, and other related details. Records are available for criminal cases filed since 1986. To request, interested parties may call (337) 437-3558, extensions 164, 176, or 133. Residents may also order by sending fax requests to (337) 437-3833 Alternatively, request by visiting the Clerk of Court or sending a mail to the:
Physical Address:
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
1000 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 7060
Hour: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1030
Lake Charles, LA 70602
What are Lake Charles Vital Records?
Lake Charles vital records contain information on marriages, divorces, births, and deaths that take place in the city. These records are obtainable from the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court for varying fees. Note that not all vital records are considered public.
Where and How to Obtain Lake Charles Divorce Records
Persons seeking Lake Charles divorce records should contact the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court. The Clerk's Office maintains records of divorces finalized in the parish and issues copies to interested persons through the Civil Records Department. Each Lake Charles divorce decree costs $1 per page and $10 per certified document. Requestors must provide party names, divorce year, suit number, and other known details. These details should be submitted using the following information:
Physical Address:
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
1000 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 7060
Phone: (337) 437-3558, extensions, 126, 127, 132, 203, and 153
Fax: (337) 437-3830
Hour: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1030
Lake Charles, LA 70602
Where and How to Get Public Lake Charles Marriage Records
Members of the public can obtain copies of Lake Charles marriage records from the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court. Interested parties may request in person or send mail applications. Information required to obtain a Lake Charles marriage record includes party names and the date and location of the marriage. Requestors should also provide personal and contact information. Each Lake Charles marriage license costs $1 plus $10 for a certified copy. Requests should be submitted to the:
Physical Address:
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
1000 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 7060
Phone: (337) 437-3550
Fax: (337) 437-6199 (Recording)
Hour: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1030
Lake Charles, LA 70602
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Lake Charles
All interested persons may obtain copies of Lake Charles marriage records. The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court does not restrict access to these records.
Where and How to Find Lake Charles Birth Records
Lake Charles birth records are only obtainable in person from the Clerk of Court's West Calcasieu Office in Sulphur. Under Louisiana law, access to these records is restricted to the following:
- The registrant named on the record
- An immediate family member, such as a parent, child, current legal spouse, sibling, or grandparent
- A person with a certified document of custody for a minor if requesting the minor's certificate
Lake Charles birth certificates cost $38. To request a record, eligible parties should visit the Sulphur office with a current and valid photo ID. The ID must have clear issuance and expiration dates, and should not be torn, broken, or mutilated. Names and photos must be very visible. Requestors should visit the:
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
West Calcasieu Annex
500A N. Huntington Street
Sulphur, LA 70663
Hours: 8:30 to 3:30 pm
Phone: (337) 313-1142
Where and How to Find Lake Charles Death Records
The Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court only issues Lake Charles death records to in-person requestors at its West Calcasieu annex in Sulphur. Eligible persons include the decedent's current legal spouse, parent, grandparent, child, or sibling. A beneficiary of the decedent's insurance policy may also request a death certificate with proof.
Interested persons must visit the West Calcasieu Annex with a current and valid photo ID. Requests are processed at the:
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
West Calcasieu Annex
500A N. Huntington Street
Sulphur, LA 70663
Hours: 8:30 to 3:30 pm
Phone: (337) 313-1142
