Public Records Information
 
HOME
VITAL RECORDS
COURT RECORDS
CRIMINAL RECORDS
ADOPTION RECORDS
LINKS

FEATURED LINKS:


Check Court and Criminal Records
using UsSearch.com Instant! online Public Records Databases!
 


First Name
Last Name
City
State
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
 

Find Court Records Instantly! Click Here!

 

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.

 
LA Online Court Web Sites

Court of Appeal, 4th Circuit

Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court, Lafayette

Louisiana Clerks of Court

Louisiana Judicial Information

Louisiana Supreme Court

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.

 
County Courthouses

Acadia Parish
P.O. Box 922
Crowley, LA 70527-0922

Telephone: (318) 788-8881


Allen Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 248
Oberlin, LA 70655-0248

Telephone: (318) 639-4351


Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 192
Donaldsonville, LA 70346-0192

Telephone: (504) 473-9866


Assumption Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 249
Napoleonville, LA 70390

Telephone: (504) 369-6653


Avoyelles Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 196
Marksville, LA 71351

Telephone: (318) 253-7523


Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 100
De Ridder, LA 70634

Telephone: (318) 463-8595


Bienville Parish Clerk of Court
601 Locust St., Room 100
Arcadia, LA 71001

Telephone: (318) 263-2123


Bossier Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 430
Benton, LA 71006-0430

Telephone: (318) 965-2336


Caddo Parish Clerk of Court
501 Texas St., Room 103
Shreveport, LA 71101

Telephone: (318) 226-6780


Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1030
Lake Charles, LA 70602

Telephone: (318) 437-3550


Caldwell Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1327
Columbia, LA 71418

Telephone: (318) 649-2272


Cameron Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 549
Cameron, LA 70631

Telephone: (318) 775-5316


Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 198
Harrisonburg, LA 71340-0198

Telephone: (318) 744-5497


Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 330
Homer, LA 71040

Telephone: (318) 927-9601


Concordia Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 790
Vidalia, LA 71373-0790

Telephone: (318) 336-4204


De Soto Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1206
Mansfield, LA 71052

Telephone: (318) 872-3110


East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court
222 Saint Louis St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

Telephone: (504) 389-3000


East Carroll Parish Clerk of Court
400 1st St.
Lake Providence, LA 71254-2616

Telephone: (318) 559-2399


East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 599
Clinton, LA 70722-0599

Telephone: (504) 683-5145


Evangeline Parish Clerk
P.O. Drawer 347
Ville Platte, LA 70586-0347

Telephone: (318) 363-5671


Franklin Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1564
Winnsboro, LA 71295-2750

Telephone: (318) 435-5133


Grant Parish
P.O. Box 263
Colfax, LA 71417

Telephone: (318) 627-3246


Iberia Parish Clerk of Court
300 Iberia St., 1st Floor
New Iberia, LA 70562-2010

Telephone: (318) 365-8246


Iberville Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 423
Plaquemine, LA 70765

Telephone: (504) 687-5160


Jackson Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 730
Jonesboro, LA 71251

Telephone: (318) 259-2424


Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 799
Jennings, LA 70546

Telephone: (318) 824-1160


Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 10
Gretna, LA 70054

Telephone: (504) 364-2900


Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 2009
Lafayette, LA 70502

Telephone: (318) 233-0150


Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 5548
Thibodaux, LA 70302

Telephone: (504) 446-8427


LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1316
Jena, LA 71342

Telephone: (318) 992-2158


Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 924
Ruston, LA 71273-0924

Telephone: (318) 251-5130


Livingston Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1150
Livingston, LA 70754

Telephone: (504) 686-2216

 

Madison Parish Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 1710
Tallulah, LA 71282-3840

Telephone: (318) 574-0655


Morehouse Parish
P.O. Box 1543
Bastrop, LA 71220-1543

Telephone: (318) 281-3343


Natchitoches Parish
P.O. Box 476
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0476

Telephone: (318) 352-8152


Orleans Parish
421 Loyola Ave., Rm. 402
New Orleans, LA 70112-2114

Telephone: (504) 592-9100


Ouachita Parish
P.O. Box 1862
Monroe, LA 71210-1862

Telephone: (318) 327-1444


Plaquemines Parish
P.O. Box 129
Point a la Hache, LA 70082

Telephone: (504) 333-4343


Point Coupee Parish
P.O. Box 86
New Roads, LA 70760

Telephone: (504) 638-9596


Rapides Parish
P.O. Box 952
Alexandria, LA 71309-0952

Telephone: (318) 473-8153


Red River Parish
P.O. Box 485
Coushatta, LA 71019-8537

Telephone: (318) 932-6741


Richland Parish
P.O. Box 119
Rayville, LA 71269

Telephone: (318) 728-4171


Sabine Parish
P.O. Box 419
Many, LA 71449-0419

Telephone: (318) 256-6223


Saint Bernard Parish
P.O. Box 1746
Chalmette, LA 70044

Telephone: (504) 271-3434


Saint Charles Parish
P.O. Box 424
Hahnville, LA 70057-0302

Telephone: (504) 783-6632


Saint Helena Parish
P.O. Box 308
Greensburg, LA 70441

Telephone: (504) 222-4514


Saint James Parish
P.O. Box 63
Convent, LA 70723-0063

Telephone: (504) 562-7496


Saint John the Baptist Parish
1801 W. Airline Hwy.
La Place, LA 70068

Telephone: (504) 652-9569


Saint Landry Parish
Court & Landry Sts.
Opelousas, LA 70570

Telephone: (318) 942-5606


Saint Martin Parish
P.O. Box 308
Saint Martinville, LA 70582

Telephone: (318) 394-2210


Saint Mary Parish
P.O. Drawer 1231
Franklin, LA 70538-6198

Telephone: (318) 828-4100, ext. 200


Saint Tammany Parish
P.O. Box 1090
Covington, LA 70434-1090

Telephone: (504) 898-2430


Tangipahoa Parish
P.O. Box 667
Amite, LA 70422

Telephone: (504) 748-4146


Tensas Parish
Courthouse Square
P.O. Box 78
Saint Joseph, LA 71366

Telephone: (318) 766-3921


Terrebonne Parish
P.O. Box 1569
Houma, LA 70361

Telephone: (504) 868-5660


Union Parish
Courthouse Building
100 E. Bayou St., Suite 105
Farmerville, LA 71241

Telephone: (318) 368-3055


Vermilion Parish
P.O. Box 790
Abbeville, LA 70511-0790

Telephone: (318) 898-1992


Vernon Parish
P.O. Box 40
Leesville, LA 71446

Telephone: (318) 238-1384


Washington Parish
P.O. Box 607
Franklinton, LA 70438

Telephone: (504) 839-4663


Webster Parish
P.O. Box 370
Minden, LA 71058

Telephone: (318) 371-0366


West Baton Rouge Parish
P.O. Box 107
Port Allen, LA 70767

Telephone: (504) 383-0378


West Carroll Parish
P.O. Box 1078
Oak Grove, LA 71263

Telephone: (318) 428-3281


West Feliciana Parish
P.O. Box 1843
Saint Francisville, LA 70775

Telephone: (504) 635-3794


Winn Parish
101 Main St., Room 103
Winnfield, LA 71483-0951

Telephone: (318) 628-3515

   
  First Last State
 Other Resources:
Land Records Research Directory