Access Tensas Parish Busted Mugshots
Tensas Parish busted mugshots come from the sheriff's office based in St. Joseph, Louisiana. Sheriff Rickey A. Jones runs the parish's law enforcement. Tensas is the least populated parish in Louisiana with just 4,147 residents as of the 2020 census. Despite its small size, the parish still keeps booking records and mugshot data. You can search for arrests through the LAVNS system or by calling the sheriff's office directly. The detention center is in Waterproof, not in St. Joseph, which is unusual for such a small parish.
Tensas Parish Quick Facts
Tensas Parish Sheriff Mugshot Records
Sheriff Rickey A. Jones leads the Tensas Parish Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is P.O. Box 138, St. Joseph, LA 71366. You can call the office at (318) 766-3499 or (318) 766-3961. The fax number is (318) 766-3498. The sheriff handles all arrests and booking records for Tensas Parish. Each arrest generates a mugshot and a booking record that goes into the parish system.
One thing that makes Tensas Parish different is the location of the detention center. The jail is not in St. Joseph. It sits at 8606 Highway 65, Waterproof, LA 71375. You can reach the detention center at (318) 749-5810. Warden Patti Smith runs the facility. Her email is psmith@tensasdc.org. All booking photos taken at this facility end up in the public roster. Because Tensas Parish is so small, the volume of bookings is low compared to other parishes. But the records are still public and follow the same rules as every other parish in Louisiana.
| Sheriff's Office |
P.O. Box 138 St. Joseph, LA 71366 Phone: (318) 766-3499 / (318) 766-3961 Fax: (318) 766-3498 |
|---|---|
| Detention Center |
8606 Highway 65 Waterproof, LA 71375 Phone: (318) 749-5810 Warden: Patti Smith Email: psmith@tensasdc.org |
| Clerk of Court |
Christina C. Lee P.O. Box 78 St. Joseph, LA Phone: (318) 766-3921 |
Note: Contact the detention center in Waterproof at (318) 749-5810 for current inmate status.
How to Search Tensas Parish Busted Mugshots
Tensas Parish mugshot records are on the LAVNS system. The search works the same as other parishes. Click the first letter of the last name to find an inmate. The system shows results with a photo, charges, and booking data. You can sort by recent bookings or by time in custody. Since Tensas Parish has a very small population, the roster tends to be short. That makes it faster to scan through.
The LAVNS portal for Tensas Parish shows the inmate search tool for busted mugshots in this area.
Each profile has the full booking record. That includes the arrest date, charges, bond amount, and release status. The mugshot photo is right on the page. Under La. R.S. 44:1, these records are public. You can look them up without giving a reason. The low volume of arrests in Tensas Parish means the roster is easy to browse without much scrolling.
Tensas Parish Arrest Record Requests
You can get copies of arrest records from the Tensas Parish Sheriff's Office. Send a written request to P.O. Box 138, St. Joseph, LA 71366. Include the full name and date of birth of the person you are looking up. You can also call (318) 766-3499 to ask about a specific record. Walk-in requests are handled at the office in St. Joseph. Bring a valid ID with you.
For court records tied to an arrest, contact Clerk of Court Christina C. Lee. Her office is at P.O. Box 78, St. Joseph. The phone number is (318) 766-3921. Court records include case filings, dispositions, and sentencing data. These records give more detail than what the mugshot roster shows. You can also try the Louisiana Clerks Portal for online access to some Tensas Parish court documents.
Busted Mugshots and Louisiana Law
Arrest records in Louisiana are public. That is the law. La. R.S. 44:1 covers booking photos and jail rosters. The Tensas Parish Sheriff posts mugshots as part of its public duty. No fee is charged. You do not need to explain why you want to see them. Commercial mugshot sites face limits under La. R.S. 44:4.1, but that does not affect the official Tensas Parish roster.
Full criminal history reports are handled by the Louisiana State Police BCII. Under La. R.S. 15:587, some criminal history data requires a formal written request. These reports include prior arrests, convictions, and case results from across the state. They cover more ground than the mugshot roster alone.
Tensas Parish Record Expungement
If charges get dropped or a person is found not guilty in Tensas Parish, they may qualify for expungement. Under La. R.S. 44:9, certain offenses can be cleared from the record. Once a court grants expungement, the mugshot and arrest data should be taken off the public roster. This applies to the Tensas Parish system and any state database that holds the record. The process takes time and usually involves a court order and filing fees.
Not all arrests qualify for expungement. Violent crimes and some repeat offenses are harder to clear. If you think you are eligible, talk to an attorney. Legal aid groups may be able to help with the paperwork at low or no cost.
Statewide Mugshot Tools
Beyond the local Tensas Parish roster, there are statewide tools you can use. The VINELink system tracks inmate custody status across all Louisiana parishes. You can sign up for free alerts when someone's status changes. The Louisiana Department of Corrections has its own offender search for people who are serving state sentences. If someone was arrested in Tensas Parish but transferred to a state facility, that search tool will show where they are now.
Tensas Parish is small, but it ties into the same statewide systems that larger parishes use. The data flows the same way. Busted mugshots from Tensas Parish follow the same public records rules as every other parish in Louisiana. The size of the parish does not change the access rights.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border Tensas Parish. If you are not sure where an arrest took place, check the neighboring rosters. Each parish keeps its own jail and booking records.