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Jefferson Davis County, LA Courts and Public Records

Table of Contents

The 31st Judicial District Court serves Jefferson Davis Parish as the trial court of general jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases. The Clerk of Court keeps the district court records and also serves as the parish recorder of conveyances and mortgages.

FieldDetails
Court Name31st Judicial District Court, serving Jefferson Davis Parish
Clerk of CourtRichard M. Arceneaux
Main Address300 N. State St., Rm.106, Jennings, LA 70546
Mailing AddressP.O. Box 799, Jennings, LA 70546
Main Phone337-824-1160
Courthouse Locations1 (Jennings)
HandlesCivil and criminal cases in the district court, which is the trial court of general jurisdiction
Does NOT HandleFederal cases (U.S. District Court for Louisiana); parking tickets (issuing agency); city ordinance matters in city or mayor's courts
Online Case SearchCall the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 to ask about online access
Criminal Records RequestsContact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160

How to Search Jefferson Davis County Court Records

Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Jefferson Davis Parish cases are kept by the Clerk of Court in Jennings.

Online

Call the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 to ask about online access.

Ask whether online case search covers your type of case.

Confirm online access with the clerk before you travel.

Best for: Checking what is available before visiting

In Person

Go to 300 N. State St., Rm.106, Jennings, LA 70546.

Bring the case number and party names if you have them.

Ask the clerk whether public terminals are available.

Best for: Records and copies not available online

By Mail or Phone

Send your written request to P.O. Box 799, Jennings, LA 70546.

Call 337-824-1160 first to confirm what the clerk needs.

Ask the clerk about response times for written requests.

Best for: Requests when you cannot visit in person

Search by Name on LouisianaCourts.org

Go to LouisianaCourts.org and enter a full name.

Search across record types without a case number.

Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.

Best for: Finding leads without a case number

Jefferson Davis County Court Statistics (CY 2025)

District court filings for Jefferson Davis Parish totaled 7,700 in 2025, up 32.9% from 5,792 in 2024, according to the Supreme Court of Louisiana. Traffic and some misdemeanor matters are often handled by city and parish courts, so these district court counts may be lower for that reason.

7,700

Total district court filings, 2025

1,236

Criminal filings, 2025 (16.1% of total)

849

Civil filings, 2025 (11.0% of total)

244.7

Filings per 1,000 residents (population 31,471)

MetricCY 2025CY 2024Change
Total Filings7,7005,792+32.9%
Total Dispositions~7,472~5,621~+32.9%
Criminal Filings6,6974,746+41.1%
Civil Filings849875-3.0%
Family Law Filings~2~2~+0.0%
Probate Filings~138~104~+32.7%
Mental Health Filings~54~40~+35.0%
Juvenile Filings154171-9.9%
Authorized Judicial Positions~1~1~0.0%

How Have Court Filings Changed in Jefferson Davis County?

District court filings in Jefferson Davis Parish grew 129.0% between CY 2021 and CY 2025, from 3,362 to 7,700. Filings are the Supreme Court of Louisiana's district court counts; dispositions are estimated.

Fiscal YearTotal FilingsTotal DispositionsYoY Filing Change
CY 20257,700~7,472+32.9%
CY 20245,792~5,621+24.9%
CY 20234,637~4,500+25.3%
CY 20223,700~3,590+10.1%
CY 20213,362~3,258-28.7%

The largest annual change was +32.9% in CY 2025, and the latest change, CY 2024 to CY 2025, was +32.9%. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: dispositions apply the statewide disposition-to-filing ratio of about 97% to the Jefferson Davis Parish filing counts.

What Types of Cases Are Filed in Jefferson Davis County?

Criminal cases were the largest category of district court filings in Jefferson Davis Parish in CY 2025, at 87.0% of the 7,700 filings reported. Criminal filings changed the most from CY 2024 (+41.1%).

Case TypeFilings CY 2025Share of TotalYoY Change
Civil84911.0%-3.0%
Criminal6,69787.0%+41.1%
Juvenile1542.0%-9.9%
Probate~249~3.2%~+32.9%
Mental health~96~1.3%~+32.9%
Family law~4~0.1%~+32.9%

Share and year-over-year change compare CY 2025 with CY 2024 filings for Jefferson Davis Parish from the Supreme Court of Louisiana's annual reports.

How Does Jefferson Davis County Compare With Louisiana Overall?

Jefferson Davis Parish district court filings made up 1.35% of Louisiana's 570,733 district court filings in 2025, from a parish with 0.68% of the state's population.

MetricJefferson Davis ParishLouisianaComparison
Share of Louisiana population (2025)0.68%100%Parish has 0.68% of state residents
Total district court filings (2025)7,700570,7331.35% of statewide filings
YoY change in filings+32.9%+4.4%28.5 points higher
Filings per 1,000 residents244.9124.197.3% above state
Criminal share of filings16.1%23.7%7.6 points lower
Civil share of filings11.0%25.8%14.8 points lower
Traffic share of filings70.9%47.5%23.5 points higher
Juvenile share of filings2.0%3.0%1.0 points lower
Share of statewide criminal filings0.91%100%Parish share of the state category
Share of statewide civil filings0.58%100%Parish share of the state category

Filings in Jefferson Davis Parish grew 32.9% in 2025 while statewide filings rose 4.4%, and the parish files nearly twice as many district court cases per resident as the state. Traffic makes up 70.9% of its district court docket compared with 47.5% statewide.

Jefferson Davis County Crime Statistics (2025)

These figures are Louisiana statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Jefferson Davis Parish. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 17.0% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 79% of Louisiana's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.

16,766

Violent crimes, Louisiana statewide, 2025

66,996

Property crimes, Louisiana statewide, 2025 (includes arson)

363.0

Violent crime rate per 100K, Louisiana statewide, 2025 (population 4,618,189)

-17.0%

Change in total violent plus property crimes, Louisiana statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (83,762 vs 100,915)

Offense2025Rate per 100K2024YoY Change
Homicide2936.3363-19.3%
Rape1,17825.51,298-9.2%
Robbery1,00221.71,338-25.1%
Aggravated assault14,293309.516,025-10.8%
Violent crimes total16,766363.019,024-11.9%
Burglary11,034238.914,473-23.8%
Larceny-theft49,7211076.658,501-15.0%
Motor vehicle theft6,040130.88,649-30.2%
Property crimes total66,9961450.781,891-18.2%

Rates use the Louisiana 2025 population of 4,618,189. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Jefferson Davis Parish with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.

Jefferson Davis County Courthouse Locations

Jefferson Davis Parish has 1 Clerk of Court location in Jennings. Check your notice, citation or case paperwork for the office that holds your case before you go.

CourthouseAddressPhoneVerified Services
Jefferson Davis Parish Clerk of Court300 N. State St., Rm.106, Jennings, LA 70546
Mailing: P.O. Box 799, Jennings, LA 70546
337-824-1160Clerk of Court office: district court records and land records as parish recorder of conveyances and mortgages

Which Court Handles Your Case in Jefferson Davis County?

Your case type decides which court hears it in Jefferson Davis Parish, and the Clerk of Court can confirm the right office for your paperwork.

Your SituationGo ToKey Details
Traffic ticketCity, parish or mayor's court, or the district courtCheck the citation for the court or agency that issued it.
Parking ticketThe agency that issued the ticketParking matters are not handled by the district court.
MisdemeanorCity or parish court, or the district courtThe charge and court date on your paperwork show which court hears it.
FelonyThe 31st Judicial District CourtFelony cases are heard by the district court, the parish's court of general jurisdiction.
DUICity or parish court, or the district courtThe charge on your paperwork shows which court hears the case.
Domestic violenceThe district courtAsk the Clerk of Court which division handles protective orders and criminal charges.
Civil lawsuitThe 31st Judicial District CourtDistrict courts hear civil suits in the parish's judicial district.
Small claimsJustice of the peace or city court, where availableConfirm which small claims court serves your ward or city before filing.
EvictionJustice of the peace court in the wardJustice of the peace courts handle evictions in many rural wards.
DivorceThe 31st Judicial District CourtDivorce cases are filed with the district court Clerk of Court.
Child custody or supportThe 31st Judicial District CourtCustody and support matters are filed with the district court.
Probate or estateThe 31st Judicial District CourtConfirm the filing requirements with the Clerk of Court.
Juvenile caseJuvenile proceedings in the district courtJuvenile matters are heard in the district court; juvenile records are confidential
AppealLouisiana Court of Appeal for the circuit, then the Louisiana Supreme CourtAppeals go to the circuit's Court of Appeal, then to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Are Jefferson Davis County Court Records Public?

Yes, most court records in Jefferson Davis Parish are public, with exceptions. Under the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.), the public may inspect and copy public records, and court records are generally open under Louisiana Supreme Court and district court rules.

Public records

Most district court case files are open for inspection and copying, including filings and orders in civil and criminal cases.

Restricted or confidential records

Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Ask the Clerk of Court which records are restricted before you request them.

Online access

Online access varies by parish. Call the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 to confirm whether an online case search covers your case type.

In-person access

Visit the Clerk of Court at 300 N. State St., Rm.106, Jennings, LA 70546, to view or request records. Land and mortgage records are kept by the Clerk of Court as recorder of conveyances and mortgages.

Fees

The Clerk of Court may charge copy and certification fees set by Louisiana law. Ask the clerk for the current amounts before you request copies.

How to Search Jefferson Davis County Court Records Online

Use the Clerk of Court's office to confirm which online search, if any, covers the case type you need in Jefferson Davis Parish.

  1. Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate or juvenile.
  2. Call the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 to find out whether an official online search is available for your parish.
  3. If online access is available, search by party name or case number.
  4. Review the case details, such as status and scheduled dates.
  5. Ask the Clerk of Court for documents that are not online.
Case TypeWhere to SearchWhat You'll FindLimits
CriminalContact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160Case information only through the clerkNo online search is listed for this parish; documents require the clerk
TrafficContact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160Case information only through the clerkConfirm with the clerk whether traffic cases are shown online
CivilContact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160Case information only through the clerkConfirm with the clerk which civil records are available
Small claimsContact the Clerk of Court or the justice of the peace court at 337-824-1160Case information only through the clerkAccess depends on the court that heard the case
Family lawContact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160Case information only through the clerkConfidential details are restricted
ProbateContact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160Case information only through the clerkConfirm the filing office with the clerk
JuvenileContact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160Case information only through the clerkJuvenile proceedings are confidential and not publicly searchable

How to Pay Fines & Citations in Jefferson Davis County

Contact the Clerk of Court to confirm the payment options for a case in Jefferson Davis Parish.

  1. Phone: Call the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 to ask which payment methods the office accepts for your case.
  2. In person: Go to 300 N. State St., Rm.106, Jennings, LA 70546, and ask the clerk how to pay. Bring your ticket or case number.

Traffic citations and criminal fines may follow different routes, so confirm which applies on your paperwork. Parking tickets are paid through the agency that issued them, not through the district court.

Jefferson Davis County Court Records FAQ

How do I search court records?

Call the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 to ask about online access, or visit 300 N. State St., Rm.106, Jennings. You can also search by name on LouisianaCourts.org, but results are not official court records.

Are court records public?

Most court records are open under Louisiana law, but juvenile, sealed, expunged and other confidential records are not publicly available.

How do I find a criminal case?

Contact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 with the defendant's full name and approximate dates.

How do I find a court date?

Check your notice or citation, or call the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160.

How do I pay a traffic ticket?

Contact the Clerk of Court at 337-824-1160 or the court or agency listed on your ticket to confirm the payment options.

How many cases are filed each year?

Jefferson Davis Parish district courts recorded 7,700 filings in 2025, up 32.9% from 5,792 in 2024.

What is the most common type of case?

Traffic cases, at 5,461 of the 7,700 district court filings in 2025, or 70.9% of the total.

Is crime rising or falling?

County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 11.9% to 16,766 in 2025 from 19,024 in 2024, and property crimes fell 18.2% to 66,996 from 81,891, as reported to the FBI. These are Louisiana statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.

Courts in the County

Jennings City CourtMore Info

Address:210 South State St., Jennings, LA, 70546
Phone Number:337-821-5514
Fax:337-821-5539
Website:https://www.cityofjennings.com/city-court/

Jefferson Davis Parish County District CourtMore Info

Address:300 North State St., Jennings, LA, 70546
Phone Number:337-824-3506
Fax:337-824-8985
Website:www.31stjdc.org/

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