Search Louisiana DUI Records

Louisiana DUI records are spread across state agencies and parish courts. The Louisiana State Police, Office of Motor Vehicles, and parish Clerks of Court each hold different pieces of the record. You can search DUI case files, crash reports, driving history, and court judgments online, by mail, or in person at locations across the state. This page explains where to look, what each source holds, and how to get what you need.

Where to Find Louisiana DUI Records

DUI records in Louisiana do not come from one place. The type of record you need determines where you go. Three main sources hold DUI-related documents: the Louisiana State Police, the Office of Motor Vehicles, and the parish Clerks of Court. Each keeps a different kind of record. Knowing which source you need saves time.

The Louisiana State Police handles crash reports and runs the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, which manages statewide criminal history records including DUI convictions. The Traffic Records Unit processes all accidents handled by the Department of Public Safety. It scans each report into an image file and indexes it for electronic retrieval. If a DUI involved a crash, this is where the crash data lives.

The Office of Motor Vehicles keeps official driving records for every licensed driver in the state. These records show DWI convictions, points, suspensions, and reinstatement status. The OMV is mandated by statute to maintain records of all moving traffic convictions from Louisiana courts and from courts in other states for Louisiana residents. A 3-year driver history costs $20. A 5-year history costs $25.

Parish Clerks of Court hold the court records for DUI criminal cases. When someone faces a DUI charge in Louisiana, the case goes through the parish court system. The Clerk in each parish stores the case file: all charges, pleas, court dates, and the final judgment. The statewide eClerks LA system gives free access to criminal indexes from all 64 parishes.

Louisiana Crash Reports and DUI Records

When a DUI involves a vehicle crash, the crash report is one of the most detailed records available. The Louisiana State Police Traffic Records Unit processes these reports for all crashes handled by the Department of Public Safety. Each report gets scanned and indexed for electronic retrieval. The unit is the central processing location for all accidents involving LSP.

You can purchase crash reports through the Louisiana crash reports portal. Each report costs $11.50 online plus a $2.50 processing fee and 2.5% credit card surcharge. To search, you need either the 8 or 11-digit crash report number, or the driver name, parish, and crash date. In-person purchases at Louisiana State Police Troop offices cost $16.50. Fatality crash reports can only be bought in person at Troop offices.

The LSP asks that you wait fifteen working days after the crash before requesting a report. Fatality crashes require a sixty-day wait before photo requests can be submitted. Accepted payment cards are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Once payment is complete, you can print a PDF copy of the report right away. Send questions about crash reports to the Traffic Records Unit at LSP.TrafficRecords@la.gov.

The crash report shows the location, time, parties involved, cited violations including any DUI charges, and witness data. This document is separate from the court case record and the driving history.

Crash reports stay on file and can be requested months or years after the incident.

Driving Records and License Status in Louisiana

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles keeps official driving records for every licensed driver in the state. A driving record shows DWI convictions, license suspensions, reinstatement requirements, and points. When a DUI case ends in a conviction, the court sends notice to the OMV, and the conviction is posted to the driver's record. The OMV also records out-of-state DUI convictions for Louisiana residents.

Official driving records can be ordered online, and the most current version may be viewed or printed at no extra charge for 30 days after purchase.

You can request driving records through OMV online services. A 3-year driver history costs $20 and a 5-year history costs $25. Certified records are also available. The OMV notes that accident involvement on a record does not mean the driver was at fault or cited. For DUI cases, the record shows the conviction date, the charge, and any license action. Reinstatement questions can go to the OMV call center at (225) 925-6146 or by mail to P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896.

Some DUI license reinstatements require an in-person OMV visit, especially when an ignition interlock device is involved.

DUI Court Records Across Louisiana

DUI criminal cases in Louisiana move through the parish court system. The Clerk of Court in the parish where the case was filed keeps the complete case record: charging documents, docket entries, pleas, orders, and the final judgment. The court disposition is what most people want when they look up a DUI case. It shows whether the person was convicted, what the charge was, and what sentence was imposed.

The free statewide tool is eClerks LA, run by the Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority. It provides free access to civil, property, marriage, adult and juvenile criminal indexes across all 64 parishes. You can search by name to find DUI and OWI case filings. The system also offers free personalized monitoring for land and criminal records through eClerks Alert.

Results from eClerks LA show case index information. For full documents, you request copies from the specific parish Clerk of Court.

For deeper access, some parishes use Clerk Connect, a subscription platform with criminal and civil records search. Parishes on this system include Bossier, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge, and others. Subscription pricing varies by parish, with 24-hour access typically running $20 and monthly plans from $40 to $100. E-filing and e-recording are also available through Clerk Connect for attorneys and legal professionals.

Note: Criminal records in Louisiana are generally considered privileged until adjudicated or settled, so active cases may not appear in public searches until they resolve.

Louisiana DUI Laws and Penalties

Louisiana uses the term Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, or OWI, in its statutes, though most people call it DUI or DWI. Under La. Rev. Stat. § 14:98, it is illegal to operate any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other conveyance when the operator's BAC is 0.08% or more, or when the operator is under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. The same law applies to combinations of alcohol and legally obtained drugs.

A first offense under La. Rev. Stat. § 14:98.1 brings a fine of $300 to $1,000 and 10 days to 6 months in jail. If the court grants probation, conditions include 48 hours in jail or 32 hours of community service, a substance abuse program, and a driver improvement program. When BAC reads 0.15% to 0.20%, the minimum 48-hour jail term cannot be suspended. A BAC of 0.20% or more triggers a mandatory 2-year license suspension and ignition interlock for the first 12 months.

Second offenses under La. Rev. Stat. § 14:98.2 carry fines of $750 to $1,000 and 30 days to 6 months in jail. A third offense becomes a felony under La. Rev. Stat. § 14:98.3, with a $2,000 fine and one to five years in prison. A fourth or subsequent offense carries 10 to 30 years and a $5,000 fine. Louisiana uses a 10-year lookback period. Convictions older than 10 years do not count toward mandatory minimum sentences.

If a child 12 years or younger was in the vehicle, mandatory minimum sentences cannot be suspended. The court may also order vehicle seizure on third or subsequent convictions.

Administrative License Suspension for DUI

Louisiana's Administrative License Suspension law is found at La. Rev. Stat. § 32:667. This suspension happens before any criminal conviction. A BAC of 0.08% or more, or a refusal to submit to chemical testing, triggers the suspension automatically. It is a separate action from any criminal sentence a court may later impose.

For a first offense with a BAC of 0.08% or more, the administrative suspension lasts 90 days, with no hardship license for the first 30 days. A refusal to test triggers a 1-year suspension. A second or subsequent offense brings a 365-day suspension with no hardship license for the entire period. A BAC of 0.20% or more on a first offense triggers a 2-year administrative suspension. Hardship licenses are available for most suspensions if the driver installs an ignition interlock device. The driver must request an administrative hearing within 30 days of arrest to contest the suspension.

Under La. Rev. Stat. § 32:661, any person driving in Louisiana is deemed to have given consent to chemical tests. A refusal does not prevent the administrative suspension. It triggers a longer one. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections is responsible for administering the licensing part of the state's Implied Consent Law.

The Traffic Records Unit is located at the Louisiana State Police Photo Lab, P.O. Box 66614, Baton Rouge, LA 70896.

DUI Record Searches Through the State Police

The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information handles official statewide background checks. DUI convictions appear in BCII results because they are criminal court judgments. Internet background check requests cost $26 per search. Walk-in or mail requests cost $36, which covers the base fee plus $10 for fingerprinting. The BCII is at 7919 Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70896, phone (225) 925-6325.

You request a search using the Louisiana Computerized Criminal History form. Mail requests go to Bureau of Criminal Identification, P.O. Box 66614, Mail Slip A-6, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. For a free name-based search of criminal court indexes, use eClerks LA. For a full official criminal history showing DUI convictions statewide, use the BCII.

The Louisiana Supreme Court is at 400 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.

OMV Online Services for DUI Cases

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles plays a central role in DUI records beyond just driving history. It manages license reinstatements, ignition interlock program compliance, and hardship license applications. All of these connect directly to DUI cases in Louisiana. Most OMV services are available through OMV online services. The system is available 7 days a week, nearly 24 hours a day.

Credit card transactions on OMV ExpressLane cannot be processed between 11:50 PM and 12:10 AM Central Time due to administrative processing.

Reinstatement after a DUI suspension often requires proof of completing a substance abuse program, payment of reinstatement fees, and sometimes an SR-22 insurance filing. In-person visits to an OMV office may be required for certain steps. Find your local office at offices.omv.la.gov. The OMV main call center is (225) 925-6146. Under Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1, citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records, which covers most court-related DUI documents.

Browse Louisiana DUI Records by Parish

Each of Louisiana's 64 parishes has its own Clerk of Court who keeps DUI case files. Select a parish below to find local court info, search tools, and record request details for that area.

View All 64 Parishes

DUI Records in Major Louisiana Cities

Louisiana's major cities handle DUI cases through city courts, parish courts, or the local sheriff's office. Pick a city below to find specific local DUI record resources and court contact information.

View Major Louisiana Cities