Evangeline Parish

Evangeline Parish, Louisiana (often mistakenly referred to as a parish, though Louisiana uses the parish system) was established in 1910 from portions of St. Landry Parish. Named after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem 'Evangeline,' the parish encompasses approximately 680 square miles in south-central Louisiana. The parish seat is Ville Platte, a city of approximately 7,000 residents known as the 'Swamp Pop Music Capital of the World.' As of the 2020 Census, Evangeline Parish has a population of approximately 32,350 residents.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the parish. It is responsible for patrolling the unincorporated areas, running the Evangeline Parish Jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The office is known for its community outreach programs and specialized divisions such as narcotics and investigations, which focus on addressing specific crime issues within the parish.

Police Departments

In addition to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office, the parish is served by several municipal police departments, including the Ville Platte Police Department and the Mamou Police Department. These city departments handle law enforcement within their respective jurisdictions and often coordinate with the sheriff's office on major crimes and investigations. This collaboration ensures comprehensive coverage and response to criminal activities across the parish.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office, located at 700 West Main Street, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586 (phone: 337-363-2161), serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the parish. Sheriff Charles R. Guillory oversees patrol operations, criminal investigations, civil process, and jail operations. The Evangeline Parish Detention Center houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates, with current inmate information available by calling the jail directly at 337-363-2161.

• The Sheriff's Office website provides limited online access to inmate rosters, though calling the facility directly remains the most reliable method for current custody status.
• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Booking photos and mugshots are typically included in arrest records and may be obtained through the same request process.
• Processing fees for copies of arrest records vary, and requesters should contact the Sheriff's Office Records Division for current fee schedules.
• Louisiana Revised Statute 44:3 establishes the procedures and limitations for public records requests throughout the state.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Evangeline Parish includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and the local courts. Residents can run a background check through the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The bureau's services are essential for employers and individuals seeking comprehensive background checks.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Evangeline Parish are maintained by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the sheriff's office directly. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details. The Louisiana Public Records Law governs access to these records, ensuring transparency and public access while protecting sensitive information.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Evangeline Parish Jail, also known as the Evangeline Parish Detention Center, is the facility where individuals arrested in the parish are booked and held. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through the sheriff's office, allowing the public to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance. The bond and bail process follows Louisiana state guidelines, allowing for release upon posting the required amount.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Evangeline Parish are taken and retained by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office website or by request. Louisiana does not have specific mugshot removal laws, meaning that mugshots remain part of the public record unless expunged through legal processes.

Evangeline Parish is served by the 13th Judicial District Court, located at 200 Court Street, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586 (phone: 337-363-5671). This district-level court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $10,000, family law proceedings including divorce and custody, successions (probate), and appeals from lower courts. The Honorable Kristian Earles presides over this district. The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court, currently Cynthia Soileau, maintains all court records and serves as the official record keeper for judicial proceedings.

• Court records can be accessed in person at the Clerk of Court's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• The office charges fees for certified copies, document searches, and research time in accordance with Louisiana law.
• Online case search capabilities are limited for Evangeline Parish; most records research requires in-person visits or written requests.
• Fees for record copies typically range from $1-$2 per page for standard copies, with certified copies commanding higher fees.
• Marriage licenses are issued through the Clerk of Court's office with a $27.50 fee and 72-hour waiting period.

The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court, located at 200 Court Street, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586 (phone: 337-363-5671), serves as the official recorder of property and land records for the parish. This office maintains conveyance records including warranty deeds, quit-claim deeds, acts of sale, mortgages, mortgage cancellations, liens, releases, easements, mineral rights, and plat maps dating back to the parish's formation in 1910. Original records prior to 1910 are housed in St. Landry Parish, from which Evangeline was carved.

• Recording fees are established by Louisiana statute and vary based on document type and page count, typically starting at $100 for the first page and $50 for each additional page for conveyances.
• Currently, Evangeline Parish does not offer comprehensive free online property record searching, requiring in-person visits or written requests for document research.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Clerk of Court for statutory fees.

Vital records for Evangeline Parish are maintained by two primary agencies. The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court, 200 Court Street, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586 (337-363-5671), maintains marriage records and can provide certified copies of marriage licenses and certificates issued in the parish. Marriage license applications require both parties to appear in person, present valid identification (driver's license or birth certificate with photo ID), pay a $27.50 fee, and observe a 72-hour waiting period before the license is issued. The license is valid for 30 days from issuance.

• Standard fees are $15 for the first copy of a birth or death certificate and $7 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
• Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests and 3-5 business days for online orders through VitalChek.
• The Clerk of Court's office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards for vital record fees.

Business licensing and registration in Evangeline Parish involves multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court maintains records of trade names and DBAs (Doing Business As) filed in the parish. Business owners must register trade names with the Clerk's office for a filing fee established by Louisiana statute. For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, registration occurs through the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division.

• Sales tax permits are issued through the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and businesses collecting sales tax must register for a Louisiana Revenue Account Number.
• Municipalities including Ville Platte and Mamou issue their own business licenses and occupational licenses within city limits, with fees and requirements varying by parish.
• The Evangeline Parish Chamber of Commerce, serving the Ville Platte area, provides business resources and networking opportunities, though it does not issue licenses.

Elections in Evangeline Parish are administered by the Evangeline Parish Registrar of Voters, located at 200 Court Street, Suite 102, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586 (phone: 337-363-5654). The current Registrar oversees voter registration, maintenance of voter rolls, and coordination with the Louisiana Secretary of State Elections Division. Louisiana offers online voter registration through the GeauxVote mobile app and at GeauxVote.com, the official Louisiana voter registration portal managed by the Secretary of State.

• Residents must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election, with online registration requiring a Louisiana driver's license or special ID card.
• In the 2024 general election, Evangeline Parish reported approximately 48% voter turnout among registered voters, slightly below the statewide average.
• Citizens can request election records under Louisiana Public Records Law (La.
• 44:1 et seq.), with voter registration lists available for $100 per parish or $0.10 per name.
• Campaign finance disclosure reports for local candidates are filed with the Louisiana Ethics Administration and are publicly searchable online.

Evangeline Parish's economy has historically centered on agriculture, with rice farming, soybean cultivation, and crawfish aquaculture representing major agricultural sectors. The parish produces significant quantities of rice annually, contributing to Louisiana's status as the third-largest rice-producing state. Crawfish farming has become increasingly important economically, with numerous crawfish ponds dotting the landscape and supporting both local consumption and export markets.

• The median household income in Evangeline Parish is approximately $37,500, notably below the Louisiana state median of approximately $52,000 and the national median.
• Manufacturing is limited compared to other Louisiana parishes, though food processing related to agricultural products exists.

Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online Access | Property: ⚠️ Limited Online, In-Person Preferred | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or State Portal | Business: ✅ State Online Search | Elections: ✅ Online Via State Portal | Overall Score: 5/10 — Evangeline Parish maintains traditional in-person access for most records, with limited digital infrastructure compared to larger Louisiana parishes.

Explore public records for 8 cities and communities in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.