How To Find Court Records In Louisiana

If you want to find court records in Louisiana, CourtCaseFinder can help you get started. With our Instant Court Case Lookup, you may see information from publicly available records, when accessible. Your search may return details on criminal cases, civil lawsuits, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, driving violations, inmate records, or other legal matters.

These records are generally drawn from state or federal courts in Louisiana. Information is meant for general use and may not be complete or up to date. If you are new to the system, court records are documents created during legal proceedings. When available, they can show case numbers, docket entries, filing dates, judge orders, sentencing details, or outcomes.

Using these records can give you a better picture of how certain cases were handled in Louisiana. Whether you are checking civil disputes, financial issues, or court processes, a lookup may assist you in learning more.

How To Access Louisiana Public Court Records

When you need court records in Louisiana, you have options. Many users start with CourtCaseFinder, which is designed to help you search publicly available records across the state in one place. It may return results from multiple case types, saving you time compared to contacting different courthouses individually.

Still, official government channels remain available if you prefer to request records directly. Below are the main ways you can obtain Louisiana public court records through clerks of court and state portals.

Online

Louisiana provides online access through several government portals:

• eClerks LA Statewide Portal (LCRAA): Visit eClerks LA to search records across all 64 parishes. Depending on the parish, available indices may cover land records, marriage records, and civil suits. Subscription options are offered for different access levels.
• Clerk Connect: Visit the Clerk Connect Portal for subscription-based access to civil suits, criminal cases, and records from participating parish clerks.
• Louisiana Supreme Court E-Filing System: Register on the Supreme Court E-Filing System. After registering for an account, you can sign in and use the "Case Search" section to look up court records by party name, case number, or attorney.
• re:SearchLA: A web-based platform that allows registered users access to an online repository of court case information powered by the state's e-filing database.

In-Person

You can request records in person at the Parish Clerk of Court's office where the case was filed. The clerk maintains the official records, and you may need to fill out a request form or provide details such as the case number or party names. Some parishes also ask for valid identification. You may be charged for copies, but inspection of records during office hours is generally free.

Use the Louisiana Judicial Branch Clerks of Court Page to find contact information.

By Mail

In some parishes, you can also request court records by mail. You will need to check with the local Clerk of Court to confirm whether this option is offered. If available, you should provide a clear written request with case details (such as case number, parties, and type of record) and include payment for any required fees.

Louisiana Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

You have the right to see most Louisiana court records under the Louisiana Public Records Law. According to Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 44:32 (A), the records office may ask you for valid ID and proof of age when you make a request. You don't have to explain why you want the records, and the law doesn't limit how you use them once you have them.

When available, Louisiana public court records may contain:

• Names of parties involved in a case
• Dates of court hearings or proceedings
• Legal filings and motions
• Court orders and rulings
• Final judgments or case outcomes
• Docket numbers and case references

Not all court information is available to you. Some records are restricted, sealed, or redacted to protect privacy or comply with the law. These can include:

• Records that reveal sensitive personal identifiers (such as Social Security numbers)
• Juvenile court records
• Adoption records
• Certain mental health or medical records filed in a case
• Records restricted by court order or specific state laws
• Sensitive victim information, especially in cases of sexual assault or abuse

Who Oversees the Courts in Louisiana?

The Louisiana Supreme Court is the top authority overseeing all state and parish courts. It is led by the Chief Justice, who is responsible for administrative oversight of the judicial system. The Judicial Administrator's Office assists the Court as its administrative arm.

The Judicial Administrator's Office is designed to help manage court operations across the state. Its responsibilities generally include:

• Handling budgets
• Supporting court personnel
• Assisting judges
• Implementing policies
• Overseeing programs intended to improve court efficiency and public access

By working with the Chief Justice, the office seeks to maintain consistency in how courts operate while supporting transparency and accountability. This structure helps you understand who manages Louisiana's courts and how administrative guidance is provided throughout the state's judicial system.

What Types of Courts Exist in Louisiana?

Louisiana's court system is organized into trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and the state's highest court, the Supreme Court.

At the trial level, courts of general, special, and limited jurisdiction handle civil, criminal, juvenile, and family matters. Intermediate appellate courts review most appeals, while the Supreme Court focuses on writs, constitutional issues, and disciplinary matters.

Below is a simplified overview of the main court types, their jurisdiction, and common cases you may encounter.

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Supreme Court	Highest court; general supervisory jurisdiction over all courts	Capital cases, constitutional issues, attorney/judge discipline, writ applications
Courts of Appeal	Intermediate appellate courts in 5 circuits	Civil appeals, criminal appeals, family & juvenile appeals
District Courts	Trial courts of general jurisdiction (one per parish or multiple-parish district)	Civil suits, criminal cases, juvenile cases, family law (except where separate courts exist)
Family & Juvenile Courts	Courts of special jurisdiction	Divorce, child custody, child support, adoptions, and juvenile delinquency
Parish Courts	Limited jurisdiction (e.g., Jefferson, Ascension Parishes)	Civil cases up to $20,000, minor criminal offenses, misdemeanors
City Courts	Limited jurisdiction (46 outside Orleans Parish)	Civil cases $15,000-$50,000, misdemeanors, juvenile cases where no separate court exists
Municipal & Traffic Courts	Limited jurisdiction in Orleans Parish	Municipal ordinance violations, traffic offenses
Justices of the Peace	Very limited civil & criminal jurisdiction	Civil disputes ≤ $5,000, minor criminal offenses, eviction cases
Mayor's Courts	Municipal courts in towns without city courts	Violations of local ordinances, minor criminal matters

What Federal Courts Are In Louisiana?

In Louisiana, state courts handle matters under state law, such as family disputes, probate, or state criminal cases. Federal courts, on the other hand, deal with cases that fall under U.S. law, such as constitutional questions, disputes between states, federal crimes, and bankruptcy. Louisiana is served by three U.S. District Courts and three U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Louisiana	Handles federal civil and criminal cases arising in the eastern parishes of Louisiana.	U.S. District Court 500 Poydras Street New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: (504) 589-7650
U.S. District Court - Middle District of Louisiana	Oversees federal cases from the central parishes of Louisiana.	U.S. District Court 777 Florida Street Suite 139 Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Phone: (225) 389-3500
U.S. District Court - Western District of Louisiana	Covers federal cases from the western parishes of Louisiana.	Alexandria Office: 515 Murray Street, Suite 105 Alexandria, LA 71301 Phone: (318) 473-7415 Lafayette Office: 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 2100 Lafayette, LA 70501 Phone: (337) 593-5000 Lake Charles Office: 611 Broad St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: (337) 437-3870 Monroe Office: 201 Jackson Street, Suite 215 Monroe, LA 71201 Phone: (318) 322-6740 Shreveport Office: 300 Fannin Street, Suite 1167 Shreveport, LA 71101 Phone: (318) 676-4273
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of Louisiana	Handles bankruptcy cases from the eastern parishes of Louisiana.	500 Poydras Street Suite B-601 New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: (504) 589-7878
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Middle District of Louisiana	Manages bankruptcy filings for the central parishes.	707 Florida Street Room 119 Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Phone: (225) 346-3333
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Western District of Louisiana	Oversees bankruptcy cases for the western parishes.	Alexandria Office: Hemenway Building 300 Jackson Street, Suite 116 Alexandria, LA 71301 Phone: (318) 445-1890 Lafayette Office: John M. Shaw United States Courthouse 800 Lafayette Street, Suite 1200 Lafayette, LA 70501 Phone: (337) 262-6800 Lake Charles Office: Edwin F. Hunter, Jr. U.S. Courthouse 611 Broad Street, 2nd Floor Courtroom Lake Charles, LA 70601 (Unmanned) Phone: (337) 262-6800 (Lafayette) Shreveport Office: Tom Stagg U.S. Courthouse 300 Fannin Street, Suite 2201 Shreveport, LA 71101 Phone: (318) 676-4267 Monroe Office: U.S. Post Office and Courthouse 201 Jackson Street, 1st Floor Courtroom Monroe, LA 71201 (Unmanned) Phone: (318) 676-4267 (Shreveport)

If you appeal a decision from one of Louisiana's federal courts, your case goes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. From there, in rare cases, further appeals may be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Louisiana Courts?

According to the Louisiana Supreme Court's Annual Report, Louisiana courts handle over 1,000,000 cases annually across all court levels.

This total includes more than 550,000 cases filed in district courts, almost 11,000 cases in specialized juvenile courts, over 5,000 new case filings in East Baton Rouge Family Court, and more than 446,000 cases filed in city and parish courts statewide.

Case Type	Approx. Annual Volume
District Civil	~141,000
District Criminal	~145,000
District Traffic	~246,000
District Juvenile	~18,000
Specialized Juvenile Courts	~11,000
Family Court (East Baton Rouge)	~5,000
City & Parish Civil	~74,000
City & Parish Criminal	~65,000
City & Parish Traffic	~299,000
City & Parish Juvenile	~8,000

The data shows that traffic cases represent the largest category (more than half of all filings), with city and parish courts handling the majority of these cases.

How Do I File a Case in Louisiana Courts?

Filing a case in Louisiana requires choosing the right court, preparing your documents, and submitting them with the proper fees. Some courts allow online filing, while others require in-person submission at the Clerk of Court's office. Fees vary by parish and case type.

Here's a roadmap to start a case in Louisiana.

Pick the Right Court and Confirm Venue

Identify the proper court (district court, city/parish court, small claims, or a court of appeals). Use the Louisiana Supreme Court's judicial maps to see which district covers your parish, and the state courts overview table above to understand each court's jurisdiction. Find your parish Clerk of Court in the state directory.

Prepare Your Paperwork (Forms + Evidence)

Most civil cases begin with a "Petition" (or "Complaint") stating facts, legal basis, and what you want the court to order. Many courts publish fill-in forms or packets, check your local clerk.

Good starting points: parish form pages (e.g., Orleans Civil District Court), the Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator form library, and the LSBA Self-Help Services and Legal Forms. For protective orders, use the Supreme Court's Louisiana Protective Order Registry (LPOR) forms.

File Your Case & Pay Fees (In Person or Online)

File at the Clerk of Court for your venue, either at the counter or (where available) through e-filing portals: eClerks LA / eFileLA for participating parish trial courts, the Louisiana Supreme Court's e-filing portal for Supreme Court matters, and e-filing at courts of appeal (example: First Circuit's " EClerk's Counter").

• Orleans Parish Civil District Court - Civil petition filing fee of $316.50
• West Baton Rouge Clerk of Court - Civil petition filing fee of $325
• Other costs may apply, such as Secretary of State service ($50) or sheriff service fees (commonly ~$30).

If you cannot afford the costs, you may request to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) using statewide or parish forms.

4. Serve the Other Side and Track Your Case

After filing, arrange service of process (usually through the parish sheriff or a certified private process server, depending on local rules). Sheriff's civil divisions publish their fees and mileage; ask your clerk which option your court uses. Then monitor notices, follow the District Court Rules, and appear at hearings.

How Is the Louisiana Court System Unique?

The Louisiana court system is unique because it is the only U.S. state that follows civil law traditions based on the French and Spanish legal codes, rather than English common law, like the other 49 states. This means that written statutes and codes are the primary source of law, and judicial decisions are less relied upon as precedent.

Other features that make it distinct include:

• Parish-based system: Instead of counties, Louisiana is divided into parishes, each with its own courts and clerks.
• Specialty courts: Louisiana has unique specialty divisions, such as Drug Courts, Behavioral Health / Mental Health / Co-occurring Courts, Swift and Certain Probation Pilot Court, Veterans Courts, and Reentry Courts.
• Supreme Court oversight: The Louisiana Supreme Court has broad supervisory authority over all other courts, including rulemaking for the judiciary.
• Codified approach: Legal disputes are generally resolved by applying specific statutes found in the Louisiana Civil Code, rather than relying heavily on case law.

Louisiana Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Acadia
• Allen
• Ascension
• Assumption
• Avoyelles
• Beauregard
• Bienville
• Bossier
• Caddo
• Calcasieu
• Caldwell
• Cameron
• Claiborne
• Concordia
• De Soto
• East Baton Rouge
• East Feliciana
• Evangeline
• Franklin
• Grant
• Iberia
• Iberville
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Jefferson Davis
• La Salle
• Lafayette
• Lafourche
• Lincoln
• Livingston
• Madison
• Morehouse
• Natchitoches
• Orleans
• Ouachita
• Plaquemines
• Pointe Coupee
• Rapides
• Red River
• Richland
• Sabine
• Saint Bernard
• Saint Charles
• Saint Helena
• Saint James
• Saint Landry
• Saint Martin
• Saint Mary
• Saint Tammany
• St John The Baptist
• Tangipahoa
• Terrebonne
• Union
• Vermilion
• Vernon
• Washington
• Webster
• West Baton Rouge
• West Feliciana
• Winn

Where to Find Additional Information About Louisiana Courts?

• Louisiana Supreme Court: Home Page
• Court Structure
• Judicial Branch - The official website of Louisiana
• Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court
• Eastern District of Louisiana | United States District Court

FAQs