Acadia Parish DUI Records

Acadia Parish Clerk of Court: DUI Case Records

The Acadia Parish Clerk of Court, Hon. Laura Trahan Faul, is the primary keeper of DUI and OWI case records in the parish. The office is located at 500 N.E. Court Circle, Room 201, Crowley, LA 70527, with a mailing address of PO Box 922. You can reach the office by phone at (337) 788-8881 or by email at laura@acadiaparishclerk.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except legal holidays.

The clerk's office notes that "All records of marriages, wills, land, civil, and criminal law suits and the settlement thereof, are among the records maintained by this office." DUI and OWI criminal case filings fall squarely within this scope. When law enforcement charges someone with operating a vehicle while intoxicated under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:98, the resulting court case becomes a matter of public record held by the clerk.

The Acadia Parish Clerk of Court values public access and offers the Clerk Connect and DocuNet Online Service to account holders. As stated on the clerk's official site: "The Acadia Parish Clerk of Court values your comfort, and we're excited about the Clerk Connect and DocuNet Online Service available to account holders." These systems let users search filed criminal and civil records remotely, which is useful for attorneys, employers, and individuals researching OWI cases without visiting the courthouse in person.

The clerk's website at acadiaparishclerk.com provides information on fees, forms, and how to request copies of records. In-person requests can be made during regular business hours. Certified copies of DUI case documents typically require payment of a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Call ahead to confirm current rates before your visit.

The Acadia Parish Clerk of Court's homepage gives a clear overview of the services and online access options available for searching DUI and criminal records in the parish.

The screenshot above shows the clerk's official portal, where account holders can log in to access Clerk Connect and DocuNet for remote record searches.

15th JDC: OWI Cases in Acadia Parish

Acadia Parish is part of the 15th Judicial District Court, which also covers Lafayette and Vermilion parishes. The 15th JDC handles all felony and misdemeanor OWI cases arising from arrests made in Acadia Parish. A first offense under La. R.S. 14:98.1 is typically handled as a misdemeanor, while third and subsequent offenses become felonies under La. R.S. 14:98.3. All of these proceedings generate public court records maintained by the Clerk of Court.

The 15th JDC website at 15thjdc.org contains information about court schedules, divisions, and how cases move through the system. If you need to track the status of a specific OWI case in Acadia Parish, the clerk's office or the court's own docket system are the best places to start.

The 15th Judicial District Court manages OWI filings for Acadia Parish, and the court's website provides case information and scheduling details.

The 15th JDC handles all OWI and DUI criminal matters arising in Acadia Parish, and its online presence offers resources for defendants and researchers alike.

Acadia Parish Sheriff: Arrest Records and OWI Stops

The Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office (APSO), led by Sheriff K.P. Gibson, is the primary law enforcement agency making DUI and OWI arrests in unincorporated Acadia Parish. The APSO website at apso.org provides information about the department, including how to contact the agency about arrest records and incident reports.

When a deputy stops a driver suspected of impaired driving, the officer may conduct field sobriety tests and a breath or blood test under Louisiana's implied consent law, codified at La. R.S. 32:661. Refusal to take a chemical test triggers an administrative license suspension under La. R.S. 32:667, handled separately from any criminal charges.

Arrest records held by the sheriff's office may include booking sheets, arrest reports, and mugshots. These records are generally available under La. R.S. 44:1, Louisiana's Public Records Law, though some information may be withheld if a case is still active or if disclosure would interfere with an investigation. Contact APSO directly for requests related to a specific arrest.

Note: Arrest records from the sheriff reflect the law enforcement side of an OWI case. Court records held by the Clerk of Court reflect what happens after charges are filed.

Online DUI Record Search Tools for Acadia Parish

Beyond the clerk's own Clerk Connect system, several statewide tools can help you search Acadia Parish DUI records. The eClerks LA platform at eclerksla.com offers free basic searches of Louisiana court records, including criminal cases filed in Acadia Parish. It is one of the most accessible starting points for anyone who does not have a Clerk Connect account.

The eClerks LA free search portal aggregates court records from parishes across Louisiana, making it a quick first stop for DUI and OWI case lookups.

Using eClerks LA, you can search by name, case number, or other identifiers to find OWI filings in Acadia Parish without an account or subscription fee.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) maintains driver license records, including suspensions tied to OWI convictions and administrative actions under the implied consent statute. The OMV's online services portal at expresslane.org lets drivers check their own license status. Employers or background check companies seeking driving records typically need to go through approved channels or use a licensed third-party service.

Louisiana OWI Law: What the Statutes Say

Louisiana does not use the term DUI in its statutes. The charge is OWI, or Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, defined under La. R.S. 14:98. The law applies to anyone operating or physically controlling a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher.

Penalties escalate with repeat offenses. A second offense under La. R.S. 14:98.2 brings harsher fines and mandatory jail time. By the third offense, the charge becomes a felony under La. R.S. 14:98.3, carrying the possibility of state prison time. Felony OWI records are public and searchable through the clerk's office and statewide databases.

All OWI court records are subject to disclosure under La. R.S. 44:1, Louisiana's Public Records Law, with limited exceptions for records that are sealed, expunged, or otherwise protected by court order. If a conviction has been expunged, it will not appear in standard searches. An attorney can advise on whether a specific record qualifies for expungement under Louisiana law.

Requesting Acadia Parish DUI Records by Mail or In Person

If you need a certified copy of an OWI case record, the Acadia Parish Clerk of Court is the right place to start. Written requests can be mailed to PO Box 922, Crowley, LA 70527. Include the full name of the subject, the approximate date of the case or arrest, and the case number if you have it. In-person requests can be made at 500 N.E. Court Circle, Room 201, during regular business hours.

For uncertified copies or general case lookups, the Clerk Connect and DocuNet systems are available to account holders. If you do not have an account, the eClerks LA platform provides a free search option that may return basic case information without requiring registration.

Note: Processing times vary. Complex requests or those involving older archived records may take longer to fulfill than routine searches of current docket entries.

Nearby Parishes

DUI records are filed in the parish where the arrest occurred. If you need records from a neighboring parish, use the links below.