Louisiana Court Records.

Louisiana court records comprehensively document the proceedings within courtrooms across the state. These documents typically include items such as case filings, legal rulings, and judgments, delivering key information regarding specific legal cases. Every criminal or civil case has a record meticulously maintained by the court. Typically, this documentation is considered public information, thus accessible to anyone interested in court records.

LA Official Resources.

East Baton Rouge Parish
Jefferson Parish
Orleans Parish
St. Tammany Parish
Lafayette Parish
Caddo Parish
Calcasieu Parish
Ouachita Parish
Livingston Parish
Tangipahoa Parish

Court Web:
Louisiana Supreme Court Judicial Administrator’s Office

Administration:
Office of Judicial Administrator, Judicial Council of the Supreme Court, 400 Royal St, Suite 1190, New Orleans, LA, 70130-8101
Phone: 504-310-2550
Fax: 504-310-2545

The Louisiana Courts:
District Courts: General jurisdiction with 65 courts in 43 districts managing felony, misdemeanor, civil, probate, eviction, family & domestic relations.
City Courts: Limited jurisdiction with 48 courts handling misdemeanor, limited civil, traffic, eviction.
Parish Courts: Limited jurisdiction with 3 courts adjudicating misdemeanor, limited civil, traffic, eviction.
Juvenile/Family Courts: Specialized jurisdiction with 5 courts managing juvenile, divorce, child custody.
Justice of the Peace Courts: Limited jurisdiction with 382 courts adjudicating civil matters not exceeding $5,000.
Mayor’s Courts: Limited jurisdiction with 250 courts managing ordinance, traffic.

Online Access:
There is no statewide system available to the public for trial court dockets, but many parishes offer online access.

Public Access To Louisiana Court Records Under Public Records Law.

In Louisiana, court data typically resides within the public domain. However, due to state laws or specific court orders, some records and their related information are deemed confidential and are not disclosed. Aside from these confidential files, public Louisiana court records are accessible to journalists, researchers, and the general public.

Resources For Obtaining Louisiana Court Records.

Court records can be accessed either in person at courthouses or online. To view these records, one should visit the courthouse where the case was heard. At the courthouse, obtain the necessary documents from the court clerk, and you will need to provide the case number or the names involved in the case. Note that more than 30% of public records managed by state and county governments in Louisiana are not available online.

If the court offers an online database, you can use it to access Louisiana court records. This digital platform enables you to search for records by entering the case number or party name.

Identifying Information For Louisiana Court Case Searches.

Locating a specific case requires key details, depending on whether the case falls under federal, state, or local jurisdiction. Prepare to provide:

Case Number: The most direct method for finding a case. Retrieving case details quickly is possible with the case number.
Party Names: Knowing the names of those involved is crucial. Generally, this is the primary method to verify if the case relates to the person in question.
Type of Court: The judicial system includes federal, state, county, and city courts.
Nature of the Case: Determining the type of records sought (civil, criminal, traffic, etc.) is crucial.
Location: Identifying the geographic location of the case filing can significantly narrow your search.

Check Court Documents In Another State.

You may need to work with court record retrieval services when an online database is unavailable, and you require records from outside Louisiana. These services send agents to various courthouses to manually collect records not available online.

What Sets Apart Civil And Criminal Court Records In Louisiana?

Civil Court Records: These often involve disputes between individuals or organizations. Plaintiffs often seek monetary damages or specific actions from defendants. Lawsuits can range from contractual disputes to personal injury claims and family law matters like divorce and custody.
Criminal Court Records: Initiated by the government against individuals accused of breaking the criminal laws in Louisiana. Results of criminal cases can include imprisonment and potentially a permanent criminal record.

Checking Federal Court Cases.

The federal legal framework, which includes the U.S. Supreme Court, Appeals Courts, District Courts, and specialized courts, operates within complex jurisdictional boundaries. Improvements in online resources have facilitated easier access to these records in Louisiana. Essential resources include PACER, federal court websites, and the Federal Judiciary’s official site.

Louisiana Criminal Court Records Online For Free.

The availability of free online access to court records varies by state and locality. In Louisiana, qualified courthouse staff can assist the public with record research. Approximately two-thirds of U.S. courts, including those in Louisiana, offer online access to their records.

Authentication Of Individuals In Louisiana Criminal Court Records.

To ensure criminal court records relate to your research subject, follow a detailed verification process. Collect precise identification markers such as full legal names, birth dates, and aliases. Confirm jurisdiction, assess matches in personal data, and cross-reference with multiple sources to confirm identity.

Expunging Or Sealing Criminal Court Records.

Expunging or sealing a Louisiana court record hides any arrests or convictions, maintaining the individual’s privacy. Expungement erases the record, while sealing restricts public access but allows certain government entities like law enforcement to view the record. These terms, although often used interchangeably, carry distinct legal implications.