Find DUI Records in Natchitoches Parish
DUI records for Natchitoches Parish are filed with the 10th Judicial District Court and kept by the Clerk of Court at 200 Church Street in Natchitoches. This guide covers how to access those records in person, by mail, and online.
Natchitoches Parish Quick Facts
Natchitoches Parish DUI Records
Natchitoches Parish is in central-northwest Louisiana. The parish seat is the city of Natchitoches, one of Louisiana's oldest settlements. DUI cases filed in the parish go through the 10th Judicial District Court. The Clerk of Court at that courthouse holds all the records, from the initial filing through the final judgment.
Louisiana's DUI law is at Revised Statute § 14:98. This statute makes it unlawful to drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any substance that reduces your ability to operate a vehicle. The blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for standard drivers and 0.04% for those holding a commercial license. Drivers under 21 face charges at 0.02%.
DUI cases create records at multiple points. An arrest creates a report at the sheriff's office or police department. Filing of charges creates a court record. Every hearing generates minutes. The final plea or verdict is the last document added. All of these are accessible to the public unless the court has sealed them.
As stated by the clerk's office, "Criminal and Civil Records: The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court is responsible for dispensing records generated during these cases." The office is entirely self-funded through fees collected for court services and recordings.
Clerk of Court Office Details
The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court is Hon. David Stamey. The office is located in the new courthouse building on Church Street in Natchitoches. Per the office, "The Natchitoches Parish Clerk's Office is entirely self-supporting and operates on the fees collected for services rendered in connection with civil, criminal proceedings and recordings."
Clerk of Court Contact
Address: 200 Church Street, Room 104, Natchitoches, LA 71457
Mailing: PO Box 476, Natchitoches, LA 71458
Phone (main): (318) 352-8152
Phone (civil): (318) 357-2293
Website: npclerkofcourt.org
You can visit the clerk's office in person during business hours to search court records. Staff can help you navigate the filing system, but note that this office expects you to do your own research. If you need a criminal record search by name, it can be done in writing and the fee is $20 per name.
Criminal records cost $1 per page for standard copies. Certified copies are $5 each. If you need official documentation of a DUI case for legal or personal reasons, ask for certified copies. Regular photocopies are fine for reference but may not be accepted as official records by courts or agencies.
Clerk Connect: Online Access to Court Records
Natchitoches Parish participates in Clerk Connect, a statewide subscription-based platform for accessing Louisiana court records. Through Clerk Connect you can search civil suits, criminal cases, and land records online without going to the courthouse. This is the primary online tool for Natchitoches Parish DUI records.
Access is available at clerkconnect.com/myaccount. A paid subscription is required. The platform gives you the ability to search by name or case number, view case summaries, and in many instances access full document images. This is the fastest remote option for detailed case research.
Clerk Connect is particularly useful if you need to review multiple cases or track a case that's still active. The subscription cost is worth it if you need ongoing access to court records in Louisiana. For a one-time search, visiting the clerk's office in person or using eClerks LA first may be the better route.
eClerks LA: Free Public Search
eClerks LA is a free public portal that provides access to court record indexes for Louisiana parishes. You don't need to create an account or pay to search. The system returns case index data, including case numbers and filing dates, which you can then use to request full records.
Go to eclerksla.com and search by name. The results will show any cases linked to that person in the participating parishes. Natchitoches Parish is included in the system. Keep in mind that eClerks shows index data only, not full case documents. For the complete file, you'll still need to contact the clerk or use Clerk Connect.
eClerks LA is useful as a first check. If you see a case in the index, you'll know a record exists and can take the next step to get the full document.
10th Judicial District Court
All DUI cases in Natchitoches Parish are heard in the 10th Judicial District Court. The courthouse is the New Courthouse Building on Church Street in Natchitoches. Felony DUI charges go through district court, and records from those proceedings are filed with the Clerk of Court at the same location.
Misdemeanor DUI cases may be handled at a lower court level. If you're unsure which court handled a specific case, the clerk's office can help you figure that out based on the case type and year it was filed.
The 10th JDC covers Natchitoches Parish only. Appeals from this court go to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. If a case was appealed, those records are at the Third Circuit, not at the local clerk's office.
Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the parish. You can reach them by email at price@npsheriff.net or by phone at (318) 357-9300. For DUI arrests made outside city limits, the sheriff's office is the primary agency.
Arrest reports document the stop, the reason for the stop, any field sobriety test results, and the charges. These are public records under La. R.S. 44:1. To get a copy, contact the sheriff's office and provide the name and approximate date of the arrest.
The implied consent law at § 32:661 requires drivers to take a chemical test when asked after a lawful DUI stop. Refusing the test leads to a license suspension under § 32:667. That suspension appears on the driving record maintained by the OMV, not in the court file.
Fees and Copy Costs
Standard criminal record copies are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $5 each. A name search in writing is $20 per name. These fees are set by the clerk's office, which is self-supporting through the fees it collects.
If you are sending a mail request, include the name of the subject, approximate date of the case, the type of record needed, and payment for the search fee. The clerk may request payment in the form of a money order or check. Call (318) 352-8152 to confirm before sending.
There's no standard turnaround time listed for mail requests. Allow at least a week or two for processing, especially during busy court periods.
DUI Laws: What the Statute Covers
Louisiana's DUI law under § 14:98 applies to all motor vehicles on public roads. First-time offenders face fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Repeat offenders face increasing penalties with each subsequent charge.
A second DUI under § 14:98.1 carries higher fines and required treatment programs. A third offense under § 14:98.2 is a felony with mandatory jail time. A fourth or later charge under § 14:98.3 brings the most severe consequences, including years in prison.
DUI convictions are permanent unless expunged. Records of all charges and convictions sit in the court system and are accessible to the public. This is important to know whether you're doing a background check or reviewing your own record.
Cities in Natchitoches Parish
The city of Natchitoches is the largest city in the parish. No cities in Natchitoches Parish meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site. All DUI cases from the parish, including those originating in the city of Natchitoches, are handled through the 10th JDC at the parish courthouse.
Nearby Parishes
DUI records in neighboring parishes can be found through these pages: