- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
What are Louisiana Court Records?
Louisiana has a population of 4.6 million, making the Pelican State the 25th most populous state in the nation. The court system in the state has four levels: Lower-level courts, trial courts within a general jurisdiction, the intermediate appellate court, and the supreme court.
Court records in Louisiana refer to official files and documents created throughout court proceedings in the state. Examples of court records in Louisiana include:
Court Dockets
Court dockets are official records that list all the proceedings and filings in a particular case, including scheduled hearings, motions, and decisions. They provide a chronological overview of the case's progress through the court system.
Transcripts
Transcripts are verbatim written records of court proceedings, including testimonies, arguments, and rulings. They are typically prepared by court reporters or transcriptionists and serve as an official record for appeals or future reference.
Warrants
Warrants are documents issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to perform certain actions, such as arresting an individual or searching a specific location.
Summons
A summons is an official document issued by a court notifying a person that they are required to appear in court on a specific date, typically in relation to a lawsuit or legal proceeding.
Affidavits
These are written statements made under oath, in which the person making the statement swears that the information provided is true to the best of their knowledge.
Calendars
Court calendars are lists that detail the dates, locations, and times of hearings, trials, and other court proceedings.
Orders
Court orders are official directives issued by a judge requiring parties to take specific actions or refrain from certain activities. Orders can address various matters, such as granting motions, setting bail, or imposing penalties.
Writs
Writs are formal written orders issued by a court commanding the recipient to perform or abstain from performing a specific act. Common types of writs include habeas corpus and mandamus.
Case Files
Case files are collections of all the documents, evidence, and records related to a particular legal case, including pleadings, motions, orders, and correspondence. They provide a comprehensive record of the case from initiation to resolution.
Judgments
These are final decisions made by a court about the rights and obligations of the parties involved in a legal dispute. They often include the court's ruling on the issues presented and any penalties, fines, or remedies awarded.
Types of Court Cases
Although cases filed and handled in Louisiana courts fall under several categories, they may still be classified under these broad case types: criminal, civil, traffic, and juvenile.
Civil Cases
In a civil case, a plaintiff (or the person filing a complaint in court) requests the protection or enforcement of a right or prevention or the redress of a wrong that is not a crime. Civil cases include torts, contracts, real property, small claims, mental health, probate or estate, and civil appeals.
Criminal Cases
Criminal case type is a broad classification for trial court cases beginning with an indictment or bill of information and includes cases involving misdemeanors and felonies. Criminal case types include arson, murder, theft, vandalism, fraud, manslaughter, kidnapping, and drug crimes.
Traffic Cases
Traffic cases begin with a citation involving adult and juvenile traffic cases, excluding juvenile delinquency cases and all driving while impaired cases. Examples of traffic cases include speeding, reckless driving, and running a red light.
Juvenile Cases
Juvenile cases begin with a pre-petition filing or a petition and involve individuals under 18. A pre-petition filing includes an affidavit or verified complaint, a temporary restraining or protective order request, a bench warrant, or an instanter request. Examples of juvenile cases include child in need of care cases, termination of parental rights cases, domestic abuse cases involving children, child support, adoption, formal families in need of services, juvenile delinquency, juvenile contempt of court, and other cases categorized as juvenile cases under the Louisiana Children's Code.
What Are the Different Courts in Louisiana?
Louisiana's state courts consist of the Supreme Court, five Courts of Appeal, district courts, specialized juvenile and family courts, and city and parish courts. State appropriations for the judiciary totaled about $198.5 million in fiscal year 2023-2024, with local governments funding most trial court operations.
| Court Level | Court Name | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appellate | Supreme Court of Louisiana | Statewide; seven justices elected to 10-year terms | Court of last resort; hears death penalty appeals, attorney and judicial discipline and supervises all courts. |
| Appellate | Courts of Appeal | Five circuits with 53 judges | Review civil, family, juvenile and jury-tried criminal cases from the district courts, usually in three-judge panels. |
| General Jurisdiction | District Courts | 43 judicial districts with 235 district, juvenile and family judges | Trial courts for civil and criminal cases, including felonies, with appellate review of some city and municipal cases. |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Juvenile and Family Courts | Four juvenile courts and the East Baton Rouge Family Court | Handle delinquency, child welfare, adoption, divorce, custody and support cases. |
| Limited Jurisdiction | City and Parish Courts | 48 city courts and three parish courts | Hear traffic cases, ordinance violations, misdemeanors and civil cases up to set dollar limits. |
How Many Federal Courts Are in Louisiana?
Louisiana has three federal courts: the United States District Court for the Eastern District, the Middle District, and the Western District of Louisiana. The Eastern District is based in New Orleans, the Middle District is in Baton Rouge, and the Western District is headquartered in Shreveport, with additional courthouses in Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Monroe.
These courts handle both civil and criminal cases, including disputes over federal laws, constitutional rights, and crimes like drug trafficking, as well as specialized cases, such as bankruptcy filings. An appeal from one of the federal district courts in Louisiana goes to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, also located in New Orleans.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Louisiana?
Louisiana's district, juvenile, family, city and parish courts received about 1.0 million new cases in 2023, with traffic matters making up more than half. The case-type split is partly estimated because small claims, domestic relations and succession matters are reported within civil filings, and the clearance rate of about 85% is estimated from city and parish court terminations.
| Case Type | Annual Filings | % of Total | Common Offense/Subtype | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | 540,898 | 53.7% | Speeding and other moving violations, counted per charge, in district and city courts | ~87% |
| Criminal | 198,991 | 19.8% | DWI, misdemeanors and felony drug and property offenses | ~85% |
| Civil | ~145,941 | ~14.5% | Contract and debt disputes, evictions, torts and other civil suits | ~81% |
| Small Claims | ~30,000 | ~3.0% | Disputes up to $5,000 heard mainly in city and parish courts | ~81% |
| Domestic Relations | ~27,148 | ~2.7% | Divorce, custody and support, including 5,448 East Baton Rouge Family Court filings | ~85% |
| Juvenile | 43,667 | 4.3% | Delinquency, juvenile traffic and families in need of services | ~81% |
| Other | ~20,300 | ~2.0% | Succession (probate) and interdiction matters | ~85% |
| Total | 1,006,945 | 100.0% | — | ~85% |
How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Louisiana?
You can find dockets and actions of the Louisiana Supreme Court online via the court's website. The First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeal also provide access to search case information, opinions, dockets, and calendars. Some district courts in the state may also provide case information online on their websites.
If online resources are not available or you intend to obtain copies of court records, you may visit the clerk of the court in the court where the case was filed. Note that some third-party websites also provide access to Louisiana court records for a fee. However, such websites may not provide up-to-date or valid records.
Number of Active Judges — State & Federal
Louisiana's 367 state judges are all elected, and the three federal district courts add 21 active judges. Together the state and federal benches total 388 active judges.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Active Judges | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Supreme Court | Statewide appellate | 7 | Elected by district, 10-year terms |
| Courts of Appeal | Five circuits, intermediate appellate | 53 | Elected, 10-year terms |
| District, Juvenile and Family Courts | General jurisdiction trial courts in 43 districts | 235 | Elected, six- or eight-year terms |
| City and Parish Courts | Limited jurisdiction local courts | 72 | Elected, six-year terms (67 city court and five parish court judges) |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana | Federal trial court | 11 | Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation, life tenure |
| U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana | Federal trial court | 3 | Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation, life tenure |
| U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana | Federal trial court | 7 | Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation, life tenure |
| Total Active Judges | — | 388 | — |
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Louisiana?
Court records are typically public under the Louisiana Public Records Act to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system. However, some records are kept confidential to protect individuals' privacy rights. Court records not accessible to the public in Louisiana include:
- Juvenile Records: Records related to juvenile delinquency proceedings, child protection cases, and other matters involving minors.
- Adoption Records: Adoption records are sealed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved, including the adoptee, biological parents, and adoptive parents.
- Victims of Crimes Records: Information about victims, particularly in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence, is often kept confidential to protect their privacy and safety.
- Confidential Settlements: In civil cases, if the parties have agreed to a confidential settlement, the terms of the settlement and related documents may be sealed and not available to the public.
- Certain Divorce and Family Law Records: Some sensitive information in divorce, child custody, or family law cases, such as financial records, medical records, and psychological evaluations, may be sealed or redacted.
- Sealed Records: Any court records specifically ordered sealed by a judge are not accessible to the public. These records can include various types of cases where the court determines that privacy outweighs the public interest in access.
Average Case Processing Time & Clearance Rates
Processing times in Louisiana vary widely by case type, from weeks for traffic tickets to two years or more for contested felonies and civil suits. The figures below are estimated typical durations and clearance rates.
| Case Type | Court Level | Average Processing Time | Description | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic & Parking | Limited Jurisdiction | ~30–90 days | Tickets are usually paid or pleaded at arraignment in city or parish court, with contested cases set for a short bench trial. | ~87% |
| Small Claims | Limited Jurisdiction | ~2–4 months | Informal hearing before a city or parish court judge, typically after citation and a single trial date. | ~81% |
| Misdemeanor Criminal | Limited Jurisdiction | ~4–8 months | Arraignment, pretrial settings and then a plea or bench trial, within the one-year statutory limit for misdemeanors. | ~85% |
| Civil Cases | General Jurisdiction | ~12–24 months | Petition, discovery and motions in district court, with most suits settling or ending by default before trial. | ~81% |
| Domestic Relations | General Jurisdiction | ~6–12 months | Divorce after the required separation period, with custody and support set by hearing officers or the judge. | ~85% |
| Felony Criminal | General Jurisdiction | ~12–24 months | Bill of information or indictment, plea negotiations and pretrial hearings, with trial required within two years of institution. | ~85% |