Answers to Common Questions

FAQs

Search FAQs

LA Move Over Law

Dispatch

Court Information

Civil Paper Servers

Sex Offenders

Jail Related

Report A Crime

How do I?

Employment

Clear all

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Showing 0 out of 0 results

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most frequently asked questions

Are the appraisals accurate?

The Sheriff’s Office and its appraisers never have access to the property. They will drive by the property and view the exterior to the best of their ability. The appraisal will be based on physical appearance and comparable properties in the area. Properties are sold “As Is.”

No items found.

Can I enter the property before I bid?

No, the Sheriff constructively seizes the property and purchasers do not have the right to inspect real estate before the sale.

No items found.

Can I operate the movable before I bid?

No vehicle may be started prior to the auction. Each movable is sold "As Is Where Is" and all sales are final with no exchanges or refunds. At the discretion of the Keeper (towing company), prospective bidders may lift the hood and check the mileage at the storage location before the auction. The storage location of each movable is available on this website.

No items found.

Do I have a warrant?

Contact us to find out if you have a warrant issued through Washington Parish. The police department for your city or town may have issued a warrant independently. You would need to contact them and ask that they check in their systems.

Jail Related

Does the Sheriff guarantee a clear title to the property?

No, the Sheriff does not warrant title to the property, nor the accuracy of the mortgage certificate prepared by the Clerk of Court. All properties are sold subject to any security interest, mortgage, lien or privilege thereon superior to that of the seizing creditor, active or prescribed. Further, all property is sold "as is." The mortgage certificate may be examined the morning of the sale at the sheriff’s office and it is available for download at any time on this website. Additionally, if the property is sold subject to any liens and/or mortgages, that lien may follow the property and could become the buyer’s responsibility. The Sheriff’s Office will not research or obtain a payoff or any superior lien. It is the buyer’s responsibility to research the lien and obtain legal counsel if needed. Additionally, if the property is subject to an IRS lien, even if their lien is filed after the seizing creditor, the IRS can rescind the sale up to 120 days after the sale date. The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) can rescind the sale up to 1 year after the sale date. In this event, the IRS or HUD will refund the purchase price.

No items found.

How do I apply for a position with WP Sheriff's Office?

All internal and external candidates may apply by filling out an employment application at either the WSPO Office in Franklinton or the Substation in Bogalusa. You can also contact WPSO Human Resources 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays, or by calling 985-732-5890. This office is located at the WPSO Substation in Bogalusa.

Employment

How do I apply for the position of Reserve Deputy Sheriff?

Please contact Chief Brent Jones at 985-839-3434 for further information.

Employment

How do I bid?

No, registration is needed to attend or bid at the Sheriff’s Sale. The Sheriff’s Sale is a public auction. You will need to state your bid in a clear and audible voice. You can bid in any increment but you must state your bid in the full dollar amount. If you sit in the back, please project your voice so that your bid can be heard. Once WPSO announces “sold” and the gavel hits the podium, the sale is final.

No items found.

How do I find out the status of my case? How do I give additional information on my case?

Please contact the Washington Parish District Attorney’s Office at 985-839-6711.

Court Information

How do I get bond info or visitation?

Please contact the Jail for information at 985-839-3434.

Jail Related

How do I mail something to the WPSO Administration Office?

1002 Main Street
Franklinton, LA 70427

Washington Parish Jail Mail/ Miscellaneous Mail
P.O. Box 677
Franklinton, LA 70438

Sales Tax
P.O. Box 508
Franklinton, LA 70438

Property Tax
P.O. Box 544
Franklinton, LA 70438

How do I?

How do I order a police report?

Incident Reports are available by reporting in person to the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office (Criminal Division). Hours of operation are from Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (except holidays). To expedite your request, please have your incident case number ready when contacting our office.

How do I?

How do I order an accident report?

If you would like to retrieve an Accident Report you can come in person to the WPSO Criminal Division located on the 2nd floor of the WPSO Office in Franklinton, LA.

How do I?

How do I report the activity of Illegal Aliens/Smuggling?

Call United States Border Patrol (504) 376-2830. However, if life threatening, call 911.

How do I?

How do I research Sex Offenders living in my community?

www.sexoffender.com is a nationwide database maintained by the Department of Public Safety.

Sex Offenders

How many days does it take before a foreclosed property goes to auction?

The initial sheriff's sale date shall not be scheduled any earlier than sixty days after the date of the signed court order commanding the issuance of the writ. During this time the foreclosure may be stopped for reasons such as bankruptcy or payment of the balance owed. The status of sales can be located on this website.

No items found.

I am the victim of internet fraud. How do I make a complaint?

Log onto www.Ic3.gov and follow the prompts.

Report A Crime

I know a certain person has a warrant for his/her arrest and I know where they can be found.

Contact the nearest law enforcement agency for the area of where the wanted person can be found and provide them with the information of where the wanted person can be found.

Report A Crime

I loaned my personal property to someone and they are refusing to return it. Who do I call?

Contact your local Justice of the Peace (JP) and request to file within his/her court. The current list can be located here.

Report A Crime

I need to be fingerprinted for a job or other reason. Does Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office do public fingerprinting?

Yes. There is a $20.00 fee and prints are done on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Criminal Office upstairs (second door on the left).

How do I?

I want to know if someone has been served an order of protection I filed. Who do I call?

Call WPSO Civil Paper Servers at 985-839-3434.

Civil Paper Servers

I wish to obtain a burn permit. What steps do I take?

Contact local fire department and obtain a permit. Also, make a courtesy notification to local law enforcement agency.

How do I?

I would like to file a complaint on a Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. How do I do that?

Please contact Chief Deputy Mike Haley at 985-839-3434. Chief Haley has an office in Franklinton.

How do I?

I've missed some payments on my court-ordered fine and I probably have a warrant. How do I take care of it without being arrested?

Contact the court that ordered the fine to make arrangements to appear before the judge.

Court Information

If the property is occupied, how do I evict the occupants after the sale?

A buyer cannot force the occupants to vacate a property without completing an eviction through the Justice of the Peace, a City Court, or the 22nd Judicial District Court. Your recorded Sheriff’s Deed will be required to begin the eviction process with the22nd JDC. The Clerk of Court and Sheriff’s Office will require separate deposits. Once a Writ of Possession is received by the Sheriff’s Office, we will serve a 5 day Eviction Notice to the occupants. The five day period begins the day after service and does not include weekends or legal holidays. On the5th day it is the buyer’s responsibility to notify WPSO if the occupants have not vacated. The Sheriff’s Office will schedule an eviction. A deputy will meet you at the property to keep the peace. You are responsible for all cost associated with said eviction including, but not limited to, having the locks changed and removing all property from the premises and placing all property on the parish servitude (the curb.)

No items found.

Must I bring the entire cash amount to the auction?

Immovable Sale- The terms of the sale are listed in the advertisement for each property in the Era Leader newspaper and on this website. Upon successfully bidding on the property, the successful bidder must immediately provide the Sheriff with the name, address and phone number of the bidder. Payment is due and payable as stated in the advertisement under the terms of sale. In most cases ten (10%) of the purchase price must be paid with cash or certified funds following the sale. Final payment being paid within thirty (30) days with certified funds. With some properties, the entire purchase price must be paid with certified funds immediately following the sale. In this event, it will be specified in the advertisement prior to the auction.

Movable Sale- Upon successfully bidding on a movable, the bidder must immediately provide the Sheriff with the name, address, and phone number of the bidder. The Sheriff’s Office recommends paying the total amount of the sale either in cash, money order, or certified check immediately to avoid additional storage charges. The buyer is responsible for storage accrued after the day of the sale. The Sheriff’s Office will not release the movable until all payments have been made and the buyer is responsible for the additional storage. With some properties, the entire amount must be paid in cash and/or certified funds. In this event, it will be specified in the advertisement prior to the auction.

No items found.

Someone I know was just arrested in Washington Parish. Who/where do I call to find out where they were taken?

Call WPSO Jail at 985-839-7834.

Jail Related

What are movables?

Movables consist of property that can be moved, such as personal goods. Almost anything that is not Real Estate is considered a movable or chattel. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: automobiles, airplanes, construction equipment, boats, furniture, jewelry, business inventories, art work and musical instruments.

No items found.

What are the usual costs of foreclosure?

Immovable cost include, but are not limited to, the following: advertising, appraisals, mortgage certificates, Ad Valorum taxes owed to Washington Parish within 3 years prior to the date of the sale, deed, filing fees and a three percent (3%) commission on the sale price. A successful bidder pays only the amount of his or her bid.

However, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office cannot and does not collect and/or prorate property taxes due for the year in which the sale is held. The buyer will be responsible for payment of property taxes for the entire year. Additionally, if the property is sold subject to any liens and/or mortgages, that lien may follow the property and could become the buyer’s responsibility. The IRS can rescind the sale up to 120 days after the sale date. The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) can rescind the sale up to 1 year after the sale date. In this event, the IRS and/or HUD will refund the purchase price.

Movable costs include, but are not limited to, the following: advertising, appraisal (if required), certificates, docket fee, locksmith, towing and storage. The Sheriff's commission is six percent (6%) of either the sales price or the amount collected by the creditor if the sale is stopped.

No items found.

What do I do when I see an emergency vehicle running code (lights and siren) behind me?

Slow down and pull to the right side of the roadway letting the emergency vehicle pass. Do not pull to the left or stop in the roadway. Emergency personnel are trained to pass on the left and never on the right to avoid collisions and make it through traffic safely. When driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change. If a lane change is not possible, the driver shall slow to a reasonably safe speed.

LA Move Over Law

What does it mean when a property is sold with appraisal?

Under Louisiana State Law, both the plaintiff (the creditor) and the defendant (the debtor) have the right to appoint an appraiser to value the property which is being foreclosed upon. If that right was not previously waived by the defendant. Each party who names an appraiser shall deliver the appraisal to the Sheriff’s Office at least five days prior to the time of the sale, exclusive of holidays. If the parties do not appoint an appraiser, the Sheriff’s Office will appoint an appraiser on the party’s behalf. Appraisals are posted on the website as soon as they are received. If the appraised values are not within 90% of each other, the Sheriff will appoint a referee appraisal, and the minimum bid is calculated using this appraisal.

No items found.

What is a Writ Amount?

The Writ Value generally means the principle amount owed to the Plaintiff/Creditor. It may not include additional costs such as interest, attorney's fees, court costs etc.

No items found.

What is the minimum opening bid?

There are two categories for the minimum opening bid:

1. When the sale is with appraisal the bid must open at two thirds (2/3) of the appraisal. If 2/3 of the appraisal results in an opening bid insufficient to cover the costs then the opening bid will be raised to reflect those expenses.

2. When the sale is without appraisal the bid must cover all cost associated with the sale. Usually this is a relatively low amount between two and five thousand dollars.

No items found.

What type of activity should I report?

Any type of criminal or suspicious activity should be reported. When calling, please be specific. We need to know what activity you have observed and what causes you to believe the situation is criminal or suspicious. Please try to provide as much information as possible, such as vehicle descriptions, clothing and physical descriptions of suspicious persons, and good location information where the activity is occurring.

Examples of suspicious activity can include, but are not limited to: someone checking out or "casing" a property, someone trying to break into a residence or vehicle, drug activity, shots fired within town or city limits, and vehicles or people that are unfamiliar to the area or exhibiting unusual behavior. If you are in doubt, call WPSO.

Report A Crime

When and where is the auction held?

Sheriff Sales are held on Wednesday’s at 10:00 AM in the lobby of the Sheriff's Office located at 1002 Main Street, Franklinton, LA 70438. Each property and its auction date are advertised in the Era Leader, the official newspaper of record. Immovable property (Real Estate) is advertised thirty (30) days before the auction and again one week before the sale. Movable Property is advertised once; two weeks before its auction takes place. Upcoming list of both movable and immovable properties are available on this website.

No items found.

When must I pay the balance due?

The balance must be paid within thirty (30) days after the sale unless the terms of the sale require the full purchase price at the time of the successful bid. Failure to meet this deadline may result in the property being reset for a second auction. Should the second auction result in a lower sales price, the first bidder may lose all or part of his deposit and may be sued to recover the difference between the two bids. The original buyer is prohibited from bidding at the second sale. All sales are final.

No items found.

When will I receive the property deed?

The Sheriff’s Office will prepare your deed and send it to the Clerk of Court for recording within fifteen (15) days after the balance of the purchase price is paid in full. Payment of the balance by certified funds immediately following the sale results in delivery of the deed sooner.

No items found.

Where can I locate the movable items for sale?

Storage locations are advertised is the Era Leader newspaper along with the full description of the items, ten (10) days prior to the sheriff sale. A list of Movable Property for auction is available on this website.

‍

No items found.

Where do I get info on court dates or location?

Please refer to the 22nd Judicial District or District Attorney’s Office.

Civil Paper Servers

Where do I register as a Sex Offender?

Registration is done Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except holidays).

Sex Offenders

Why do they send a deputy even though I called back and told them everything was okay?

These types of reports that law enforcement responds to may not be cancelled by the caller: Domestic violence, child or adult abuse, robbery calls, and 911 hang-ups. These calls are rarely cancelled even if you call back to tell us everything is fine because a victim can be easily coerced into sounding convincing while telling the dispatcher that everything is okay. Some situations require the physical presence of law enforcement to verify that everyone is safe.

Dispatch

Why does the operator keep asking me questions? If they just sent a deputy, they would find out all they need to know.

As the reporting party, you are the first and only source of information until a deputy arrives on scene. Dispatchers are deputies too! They are trained to ask specific questions relevant to a law enforcement or emergency response. In the time it takes for our deputies to drive to a location, particularly one that is volatile, many things can change. A suspect may leave, a medical condition may change, or more people can arrive wanting to fight. The more information you can provide, the better chance deputies have of apprehending a suspect, bringing a fight under control, or preventing injuries. Please keep in mind we are probably completely unfamiliar with your situation, so please use names when describing relationships. The first thing a dispatcher needs to know is where you are.

Dispatch