PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST
What is a Public Records Request?
A Public Records Request may be made by any person eighteen (18) years of age or older for a public record. The requester may inspect, copy, reproduce, or obtain a copy or reproduction of a public record produced by, or in the possession of, the public entity. The right to make such a request is granted by the State of Louisiana through the Louisiana Public Records Law, La. R.S. 44:1- 41, and Article 3, Section 3 of the Louisiana State Constitution. Public Records Requests must ask for a record. Public Records Requests are not designed to simply answer a question posed by the requestor.
How do I make a Public Records Request to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office?
To make a Public Records Request to St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office complete a Public Records Request form found at the bottom of this page. Then, submit the completed request form in one of the following ways:
Via Fax: (985) 781-1148
Via Email: prr@stpcoroner.org
Via U.S. Postal Services Mail to:
St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office,
65278 Hwy. 434, Lacombe Louisiana 70445.
Attention Pubic Records Request
What happens after I submit my request?
After you submit your request to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s office it will be reviewed by Administration and the following steps outlined below will occur.
1. The Admin Department will acknowledge the request with an initial letter, which signals the beginning of the fulfillment process.
2. The initial letter will include general exceptions, exclusions, or limitations to the Public Records Law (documents that are not considered public records or are excepted from the law and cannot be available to the requestor).
3. The initial letter will then describe the process as it pertains to the acknowledged request and lay out costs that the requestor may incur and provide an estimate of the time reasonably necessary to fulfill the request.
How long will the request take to be fulfilled?
By law, a Public Records Request must be completed within a reasonable amount of time. Factors that determine reasonableness include the breadth and scope of the request, whether multiple departments of the Coroner's office must respond, and whether or not an Information Technology search is conducted.
Where can I read about the public records request law?
You can read the full text of the law on the website of the State Legislature, here. You can also read more on the Louisiana Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General's website: here.
Public Records Request Fulfillment Cost
The cost of a Public Records Request depends upon the size and scope of the request. The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office may charge and collect reasonable fees to make a reproduction of public records for the requestor. There is no fee if the requestor comes in to view, copy, or reproduce public records by their own means.
The average cost of fulfilling a single Public Records Request to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office varies greatly depending upon the manner in which the records are stored and the average number of employees needed to fulfill a Public Records Request.
For additional information on Public Records Requests, please visit the website of the Louisiana Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General: www.ag.state.la.us or contact the office of the Louisiana Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General by phone at: 225-326-6079, or by email at: ConstituentServices@ag.louisiana.gov