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| Louisiana Court Records- Listed below is contact information and/or links to websites containing resources to help in a search for Louisiana court records. | |||
| About Louisiana Court Systems, Court Records & Online Database Access | |||
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The roots of Louisiana’s legal system run deep, reaching into the early court systems of Spain and France. In 1712, a French charter created a Superior Council with both executive and judicial powers; that council was reorganized in 1716. When control of the Louisiana Territory passed to Spain in 1769, the Superior Council was replaced by the Cabildo, with judicial officers known as regidors (who purchased their offices) and alcaldes (appointed by regidors). With few changes, the Spanish system continued until 1802, when the land was ceded to France. The French did not set up a new judicial system before selling the Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1803; from that date, the courts became more Americanized. Today, Louisiana has a Supreme Court, five courts of appeal, 42 district courts, five family or juvenile courts, 50 city courts, and three parish courts, with a total of more than 375 judges. Louisiana's Supreme Court When Louisiana became a state, a short passage in the Constitution of 1812 created only a Supreme Court, leaving the rest of the judicial system planning to the state legislature. The Supreme Court was to be composed of not less than three and not more than five judges; the term “justices” was not introduced until the Constitution of 1845. These judes were appointed by the governor and continued to serve so long as they demonstrated good behavior. Nine different constitutions and numerous revisions of the legal system ensued between 1845 and the Constitution of 1974 (revised in 1980). Currently, by law the Supreme Court consists of seven justices, one each from the state’s seven Supreme Court Districts. The senior justice, presently Pascal F. Calogero Jr., serves as chief justice. The court has original jurisdiction over disciplinary matters involving the state bench and bar, exclusive appellate jurisdiction over any case where a law or ordinance of the state has been declared unconstitutional, and exclusive jurisdiction over death penalty appeals. The court also has a general supervisory and rule-making role for all lower courts. The Supreme Court docket is available online, and Internet users can view oral arguments being made before the court via live video feed. The court’s opinions and other actions are organized online by date issued. An opinion search also is available. Louisiana Court of Appeals Like most states, Louisiana has instituted an intermediate appellate court system to relieve pressure from the state Supreme Court. These five courts of appeal each serve a geographical district, providing Louisiana citizens the right to have nearly any trial court decision reviewed by a higher court. The courts’ appellate jurisdiction extends to virtually all civil and criminal cases triable by jury, except for the few cases (such as death sentences) that are appealed directly to the Supreme Court. Each appellate court can be reached via its own Web site: First Circuit Court of Appeal is based in Baton Rouge; the Second Circuit meets in Shreveport; the Third Circuit is headquartered in Lake Charles; New Orleans is home to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal; and, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal convenes in Gretna. Louisiana District Court The Louisiana trial court of general jurisdiction is District Court. Here, judges have the authority to handle virtually all civil and criminal cases. Louisiana is divided into 42 District Court districts. Criminal cases are, of course, violations of state and local law that result in misdemeanor or felony charges. It is the purpose of District Court to hear the case and determine guilt or innocence. Civil matters cover essentially anything that is not a criminal case. Civil cases involve action by the courts to protect, preserve or restore private rights. Among the civil court cases heard by District Court judges are property and monetary disputes. Louisiana's Juvenile and Family Court The state’s juvenile courts have exclusive jurisdiction over delinquency cases involving individuals under 17 years of age, except in the cases of some felony offenses, for which 15- and 16-year-olds can be bound over to the district courts. Louisiana Juvenile Court also conducts all adoption proceedings of children under 17. Family Court also is conducted in some regions, with jurisdiction over all family law matters ranging from delinquency proceedings to divorce and child custody cases. Louisiana City Court Louisiana’s 50 City Court venues are courts of record. This means that their decisions, when appealed, will be reviewed on the record of their proceedings, rather than being tried anew in the higher court. City Court judges generally have concurrent jurisdiction with District Court over civil cases where the amount contested does not exceed $15,000. In criminal matters, City Court usually has jurisdiction over town or city ordinance violations and misdemeanor violations of state law. City Court judges also handle a large number of traffic cases. Louisiana Parish Courts There are three Parish Courts in the state of Louisiana, differing from City Court only in that Parish Court is always staffed by a full-time judge and the fact that their jurisdiction is a bit broader. Parish Court jurisdiction covers civil cases worth up to $10,000 (a little less than City Court) and criminal cases that are punishable by fines of $1,000 or less, or imprisonment of six months or less. Appeals from Parish Court go directly to the appropriate Louisiana Court of Appeal. Louisiana Drug Court Because drug and alcohol addiction are problems that have grown in scope over the past few decades, Louisiana followed the lead of Florida and began developing problem-solving Drug Court venues in some areas. The courts were devised as a means of more effectively channeling community resources to reduce drug and alcohol addiction through aiding and rehabilitating the addict. Louisiana’s drug courts combine treatment and education under direction of a supervising judge who can award incentives or impose sanctions on the court’s clients while they are in treatment. The treatments are community based, and drug court participants must meet with the judge on a regular basis to review their progress. |
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| LA Online Court Web Sites | |||
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Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court, Lafayette Louisiana Judicial Information Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court United States District Court - Middle District of Louisiana United States District Court - Western District of Louisiana United States Bankruptcy Court - Middle District of Louisiana United States Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of Louisiana Internet Home of the Fifth Circuit Library - Search library catalog, jury instructions, opinions and court history. Louisiana Municipal Courts - Directory of links to the parish governments of the state. Louisiana Supreme Court Docket Database - Argument docket database of current, recent and past dockets by month and year. US Court of Appeals For the 5th Circuit - Search new opinions released, download opinions and docket information. Louisiana State Bar Association - Information on bar programs, search bar calendars and other public services. Louisiana Court Rules - Search court rules for the Louisiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and District Courts. |
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| County Courthouses | |||
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