Louisiana Court Records

We thank you for coming here to learn more. Our goal is to guide you on Louisiana Court Records. We aim to give you clear facts. This page will help you find court case data.

If you want to start a search right now, go to https://louisianaofficialrecords.com/court-records/. This site helps you look for Louisiana Court Records. You can search by name. It pulls data from many public sources. This can save you time. Check it now if you need fast access. It makes finding public court files simple.

Where to Find Louisiana Court Records

Most Louisiana Court Records are kept by the Parish Clerk of Court. Each parish has a Clerk. This office is the main place for court files. You can go there in person. Many Clerks now offer online access too. Some parish websites let you search records online. The type of access varies by parish.

To search well, you need some key details. The case number is the best way to find a file. If you do not have it, use names. The full names of people in the case help. The names of the lawyers can also work. Knowing the year the case was filed helps narrow the search. Be sure you know which parish court heard the case. This tells you which Clerk's office to contact.

You can find many types of records.

• Civil Records: These involve suits between people or firms. Think contract fights or injury claims.

• Criminal Records: These show details of crimes. They list charges, court dates, and case outcomes.

• Family Records: These cover divorce, child care, and support. Some details may be kept private.

• Probate Records: These deal with wills and estates after death. They are often called successions.

• Traffic Records: These list driving fines and court dates for traffic tickets.

What's Inside Louisiana Court Records?

Key Information Included

Louisiana Court Records contain vital case details. Each file usually starts with basic facts. This includes the case number. It lists all people or groups involved. These are called the plaintiffs and defendants. The names of the judges and lawyers are often there too. Dates are very important. You will see the date the case was filed. Key hearing dates are also noted.

The core of the record is the docket sheet. This is a list of all things filed in the case. It runs in date order. It shows motions, orders, and filings by each side. The actual documents might be stored with the file. These can include the first complaint or petition. They may include answers from the other side. You might find requests for evidence. Rulings by the judge are key parts. The final judgment states the court's decision. For criminal cases, look for charge details and sentencing info. These records paint a full picture of the court case from start to end. They show what happened step by step. This makes them useful for many needs.

Public Access and Sealed Records

Louisiana law supports open government. The Louisiana Public Records Law (found at La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) gives people the right to see public records. This includes most Louisiana Court Records. You can ask to view them. You can also ask for copies. You usually do not need to give a reason. The law presumes records are public. The Clerk of Court is the custodian. They handle requests.

But not all records are open. Some information is kept private by law. Juvenile court records are usually sealed. This protects minors. Adoption records are also private. Some details in family law cases might be hidden. Personal data like home phone numbers of court staff may be exempt. If a judge orders a record sealed, it is not public. Also, parts of active criminal case files may be withheld. The law aims for a balance. It allows public access while guarding key private data. Always check with the clerk if you are unsure if a record is public. They know the rules for their files.

Major Louisiana Courts and Record Keeping

Louisiana has several court levels. Each level creates and keeps records. Knowing the court structure helps find files. The main records are held at the parish level. But higher courts have files too.

Louisiana Supreme Court

The Louisiana Supreme Court is the state's top court. It hears specific types of cases. These include death penalty appeals. It reviews cases where laws are ruled unconstitutional. It handles lawyer and judge discipline issues. It has the final say on state law matters. The court does not hold new trials. It reviews decisions from lower courts.

You can find Supreme Court decisions online. Their website posts opinions and court actions. Case files are kept by the Supreme Court Clerk. The court is located at 400 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. You can call them at (504) 310-2300. Their business hours are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Records requests should go to the Clerk's office there. They manage the official case documents filed with the high court.

Louisiana Courts of Appeal

There are five Courts of Appeal in Louisiana. These courts are below the Supreme Court. They review most appeals from the District Courts. They check if the trial court made errors in law. They do not hear new testimony. They review the record from the trial court. Each Court of Appeal covers a specific region or circuit. Their records relate only to appealed cases. The Clerk for each specific Court of Appeal holds these records.

District Courts (Parish Level)

District Courts are the main trial courts in Louisiana. There are 43 judicial districts. Most are based on parish lines. These courts hear major civil cases. They also handle all felony criminal cases. Most Louisiana Court Records start here. The Clerk of Court for the parish where the case was filed keeps these records. This is the most common place to search.

• Orleans Parish Example: This parish has separate clerks for civil and criminal cases.

  • The Civil District Court Clerk is at 421 Loyola Ave, Room 402, New Orleans, LA 70112. Call (504) 407-0000 for general info. The Records Room phone is (504) 407-0036. Typical hours might be 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, but check first.

  • The Criminal District Court Clerk is at 2700 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119. Call (504) 658-9000. Office hours are often 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. You can search the criminal docket online via the Sheriff's Office site. Remember, online data may not be fully up to date. Always verify with the clerk.

• East Baton Rouge Parish Example: This parish clerk handles various records.

  • The main office is at 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Call (225) 389-3950. Their office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. They close some services like passports early, around 3:30 PM.

  • They have an Archives Building at 444 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (Phone: (225) 389-3988) for older records back to 1782.

  • Online access for many records is through ClerkConnect. This is often a subscription service. Check their site for fees. Monthly access might cost around $25. Daily access might be $20.

Other Courts (City, Family, Juvenile, JOP)

Louisiana has other courts too. City Courts handle cases within city limits. This includes local laws and smaller civil claims. For example, the First City Court of New Orleans is at 421 Loyola Avenue, Room 201, New Orleans, LA 70112. Their phone is (504) 407-0400. Hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. They handle evictions and claims up to $25,000 on the Eastbank. Parish Courts exist in some areas too. Family Courts and Juvenile Courts deal with specific domestic and youth matters. Their records are often confidential, especially juvenile files. Justice of the Peace Courts (JOPs) handle small civil claims. They can perform marriages too. Their records are kept locally. Mayor's Courts deal with town law violations. Each of these courts has its own clerk or record keeper. You must contact the specific local court for their files.

Getting Official Louisiana Court Record Copies

You might need official copies of Louisiana Court Records. These are often called certified copies. They have a seal or stamp from the Clerk. This shows they are true copies of the original file. Getting these involves a few steps.

Making a Request

First, find the right Clerk of Court office. This is usually the clerk in the parish where the case was filed. You need to submit a request. You can often do this in person at the clerk's office. Many clerks also accept requests by mail. Some may offer fax or email options. Check the clerk's website or call them first. Your request must have enough detail. Include the case number if you know it. If not, provide full names of the parties. Include the approximate year of the case. Some clerks have a specific request form you must use. You can often find this form on their website. Be clear about what documents you need. State if you need plain copies or certified copies.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk, for example, notes that public records requests under La. R.S. 44:1 should go to the custodian, Doug Welborn. His email is dwelborn@ebrclerkofcourt.org. This shows how some parishes manage formal requests. Check the specific parish clerk's site for their process.

Fees for Copies

Getting copies of Louisiana Court Records usually costs money. Fees vary from parish to parish. Clerks set their own fee schedules. Expect to pay a fee per page for copies. This might be $1.00 per page. Fees can differ for one-sided versus two-sided copies. If you need certified copies, there is an extra fee. Certification might cost $3, $5, or $10 per document. This fee is on top of the per-page cost. Some clerks charge search fees if you don't provide a case number.

For online access portals like ClerkConnect in East Baton Rouge, there are subscription fees. These might be daily, monthly, or yearly. Fees must usually be paid before you get the copies. Clerks accept payment in various forms. This often includes cash (in person), checks, or money orders. Some may accept credit cards, especially online or in person. Always confirm the exact fees and payment methods with the specific Clerk's office beforehand. This avoids delays in getting your records.

Contacting the Clerk of Court

The key contact is always the Clerk of Court for the specific parish. They are the official keepers of the trial court records. If you need records from an appellate court, contact that court's clerk. For Supreme Court records, contact their clerk.

To find contact details for any Parish Clerk of Court, use the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association (LCCA) website. This site has a directory. It lists addresses and phone numbers for all parish clerks. This is the best resource to locate the right office. Call them during business hours to ask about records. Ask about their specific request process. Ask about fees and how long it takes. They can provide the most accurate local info.

Online Access Portals

Many Louisiana Court Records can be viewed online. Access varies by court and parish. The Louisiana Supreme Court website offers access to its opinions and actions. This is useful for tracking high court decisions.

At the parish level, many Clerks of Court have websites. These sites often provide online record search tools.

• The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court offers 'ClerkConnect' for court records and 'eSearch' for land records. These often require creating an account and may involve subscription fees.

• The East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court uses 'ClerkConnect'. Access requires registration and payment. Fees might be around $20 for 24 hours or $25 per month per user.

• In Orleans Parish, the Sheriff's Office website hosts a Criminal District Court Docket Master Search. This provides online access to criminal case dockets.

• Other parishes may have similar systems. Check the specific Clerk's website for online options.

Keep in mind that online access may have limits. Not all documents might be available online. Older records may not be digitized. Subscription fees often apply for full access. The information online might not be the official record. Always verify critical information with the Clerk's office directly. Online portals offer great ease for research. But official needs often still require contacting the Clerk for certified copies.

Helpful Resources

Missouri Warrant Search | Louisiana Marriage Records | Louisiana Inmate Search