Morehouse County, LA Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Morehouse Parish trial court is the 4th Judicial District Court, which hears civil and criminal cases of general jurisdiction. Its records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Bastrop, who is also the clerk of the district court.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | 4th Judicial District Court |
| Main Address | Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court, 100 E. Madison St., Bastrop, LA 71220; mailing address P.O. Box 1543, Bastrop, LA 71220 |
| Main Phone | 318-281-3343 |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Bastrop) |
| Handles | Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil suits, and family matters in the district court of general jurisdiction |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for Louisiana), most city ordinance and traffic matters handled by city, parish or mayor's courts, and justice of the peace matters |
| Criminal Records Requests | Contact the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 |
How to Search Morehouse County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Morehouse Parish court records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Bastrop.
Online
Call 318-281-3343 to ask whether online case search is offered.
Ask which record types, if any, can be searched online.
Best for: Checking whether a case can be found online
In Person
Go to 100 E. Madison St., Bastrop, LA 71220.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which office holds your record type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Mail or Phone
Send a written request to P.O. Box 1543, Bastrop, LA 71220.
Include the case number, the parties' names, and a return address.
Call 318-281-3343 to confirm what the clerk needs.
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
Morehouse County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
District court filings for Morehouse Parish totaled 5,790 in 2025, down 2.8% from 5,956 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.
5,790
Total district court filings, 2025
925
Criminal filings, 2025 (16.0% of total)
553
Civil filings, 2025 (9.6% of total)
244.3
Filings per 1,000 residents (population 23,705)
| Metric | CY 2025 | CY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 5,790 | 5,956 | -2.8% |
| Total Dispositions | ~5,619 | ~5,780 | ~-2.8% |
| Criminal Filings | 4,951 | 5,165 | -4.1% |
| Civil Filings | 553 | 550 | +0.5% |
| Family Law Filings | ~2 | ~2 | ~+0.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~104 | ~107 | ~-2.8% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~40 | ~41 | ~-2.4% |
| Juvenile Filings | 286 | 241 | +18.7% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
How Have Court Filings Changed in Morehouse County?
District court filings in Morehouse Parish fell 19.4% between CY 2021 and CY 2025, from 7,180 to 5,790. Filings are the Supreme Court of Louisiana's district court counts; dispositions are estimated.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2025 | 5,790 | ~5,619 | -2.8% |
| CY 2024 | 5,956 | ~5,780 | -0.3% |
| CY 2023 | 5,974 | ~5,797 | -2.7% |
| CY 2022 | 6,137 | ~5,955 | -14.5% |
| CY 2021 | 7,180 | ~6,957 | +49.6% |
The largest annual change was +49.6% in CY 2021, and the latest change, CY 2024 to CY 2025, was -2.8%. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: dispositions apply the statewide disposition-to-filing ratio of about 97% to the Morehouse Parish filing counts.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Morehouse County?
Criminal cases were the largest category of district court filings in Morehouse Parish in CY 2025, at 85.5% of the 5,790 filings reported. Juvenile filings changed the most from CY 2024 (+18.7%).
| Case Type | Filings CY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | 553 | 9.6% | +0.5% |
| Criminal | 4,951 | 85.5% | -4.1% |
| Juvenile | 286 | 4.9% | +18.7% |
| Probate | ~187 | ~3.2% | ~-2.8% |
| Mental health | ~72 | ~1.2% | ~-2.8% |
| Family law | ~4 | ~0.1% | ~-2.8% |
Share and year-over-year change compare CY 2025 with CY 2024 filings for Morehouse Parish from the Supreme Court of Louisiana's annual reports.
How Does Morehouse County Compare With Louisiana Overall?
Morehouse Parish accounted for 1.0% of the 570,733 district court filings statewide in 2025, while holding 0.51% of Louisiana's population.
| Metric | Morehouse Parish | Louisiana | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana population (2025) | 23,705 | 4,618,189 | 0.51% of the state population |
| Total district court filings, 2025 | 5,790 | 570,733 | 1.0% of statewide filings |
| Change in total filings, 2025 vs 2024 | -2.8% | +4.4% | 7.2 points lower |
| Filings per 1,000 residents, 2025 | 243.4 | 124.1 | 96.1% higher than statewide |
| Juvenile filings | 286 | 17,293 | 1.7% of statewide juvenile filings |
| Civil filings | 553 | 147,258 | 0.4% of statewide civil filings |
| Criminal filings | 925 | 135,252 | 0.7% of statewide criminal filings |
| Traffic filings | 4,026 | 270,930 | 1.5% of statewide traffic filings |
| Civil share of filings | 9.6% | 25.8% | 16.3 points lower |
| Criminal share of filings | 16.0% | 23.7% | 7.7 points lower |
| Traffic share of filings | 69.5% | 47.5% | 22.1 points higher |
Per resident, Morehouse Parish files 243.4 district court cases per 1,000 people against 124.1 statewide, which is more filings per resident. Traffic makes up 69.5% of parish filings compared with 47.5% statewide, so the parish's mix is more traffic-heavy than the state as a whole.
Morehouse County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Louisiana statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Morehouse 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)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 293 | 6.3 | 363 | -19.3% |
| Rape | 1,178 | 25.5 | 1,298 | -9.2% |
| Robbery | 1,002 | 21.7 | 1,338 | -25.1% |
| Aggravated assault | 14,293 | 309.5 | 16,025 | -10.8% |
| Violent crimes total | 16,766 | 363.0 | 19,024 | -11.9% |
| Burglary | 11,034 | 238.9 | 14,473 | -23.8% |
| Larceny-theft | 49,721 | 1,076.6 | 58,501 | -15.0% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 6,040 | 130.8 | 8,649 | -30.2% |
| Property crimes total | 66,996 | 1,450.7 | 81,891 | -18.2% |
Rates use the Louisiana 2025 population of 4,618,189. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Morehouse Parish with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Morehouse County Courthouse Locations
Morehouse Parish has 1 district court location, the Clerk of Court office in Bastrop. Check your notice or ticket for the division or courtroom before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court | 100 E. Madison St., Bastrop, LA 71220; mailing address P.O. Box 1543, Bastrop, LA 71220 | 318-281-3343 | Court records and the office of the parish recorder of conveyances and mortgages |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Morehouse County?
Morehouse Parish cases are heard in the 4th Judicial District Court and other courts, depending on the matter. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for Louisiana.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | The court listed on your citation (city, parish, mayor's court or District Court) | Use the court named on the ticket, and call the Clerk of Court if it is unclear. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are handled by the issuing agency, not by the district court. |
| Misdemeanor | City, parish or mayor's court, or District Court | Misdemeanors may be heard in lower courts depending on the charge and location. |
| Felony | District Court | Felonies are handled by the district court; call the Clerk of Court about your case. |
| DUI | City, parish or district court | Check the charge on your paperwork to see which court handles it. |
| Domestic violence | District Court | Criminal charges and protective orders are handled through the district court; confirm with the Clerk of Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court | Larger civil suits are filed in the district court, while smaller claims may go to a lower court. |
| Small claims | Justice of the Peace Court or city court | Small claims are heard in lower courts; ask the Clerk of Court which court covers your ward. |
| Eviction | Justice of the Peace Court or city court | Evictions go to the court covering the property's ward or city; confirm with the Clerk of Court. |
| Divorce | District Court | Divorce cases are filed with the district court clerk. |
| Child custody or support | District Court | Custody and support orders are handled in the district court. |
| Probate or estate | District Court | Successions and estate matters are filed with the district court clerk. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Court where the parish has one, otherwise the district court | Juvenile matters are confidential; ask the Clerk of Court where to start. |
| Appeal | Louisiana Court of Appeal for the circuit covering the parish | Appeals go to the Court of Appeal, then the Louisiana Supreme Court. |
Are Morehouse County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Morehouse Parish court records are public, with exceptions set by law. Louisiana's Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1 et seq.) gives the public the right to 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, including filings and orders, are generally open to inspection and copying at the clerk's office. The Clerk of Court also keeps land and mortgage records as the parish recorder of conveyances and mortgages.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Other confidential records may be restricted by law or court order.
Online access
Online case search varies by parish. Call the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 to ask whether any records can be searched online and which record types are included.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of Court at 100 E. Madison St., Bastrop, LA 71220 to view or request records. Call 318-281-3343 first to confirm which office holds your case.
Fees
The Clerk of Court may charge copy and certification fees set by law. Ask the clerk for the current amounts before you request copies.
How to Search Morehouse County Court Records Online
Online access to Morehouse Parish court records depends on the clerk's office, so confirm with the clerk which case types are available.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Call the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 to ask whether that case type can be searched online.
- Search by party name or case number if online access is available.
- Review the case details, such as case status and scheduled dates, once you find the case.
- Request documents that are not online from the Clerk of Court, in person or by phone.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Clerk of Court, 318-281-3343 | Case information if the clerk offers online access | Full documents may require a request to the clerk |
| Traffic | The court listed on your citation, or the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 | Case information from the court that handles the ticket | Payment is handled separately; see the payment section |
| Civil | Clerk of Court, 318-281-3343 | Case information the clerk makes available | Sealed or restricted filings are not available |
| Small claims | Justice of the Peace Court or city court, through the Clerk of Court | Case information from the court that heard the claim | Confirm the court and access with the clerk |
| Family law | Clerk of Court, 318-281-3343 | Case information for domestic relations matters | Confidential family details are restricted |
| Probate | Clerk of Court, 318-281-3343 | Succession and estate files filed with the clerk | Ask the clerk which files are available to view |
| Juvenile | Juvenile Court where the parish has one, otherwise the Clerk of Court | Limited information only | Juvenile records are confidential and not publicly available |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Morehouse County
Traffic citations, criminal fines, and parking tickets are paid through different offices, so confirm where your case is before you pay.
- Phone: Call the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 to confirm the payment options available for your case.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Court at 100 E. Madison St., Bastrop, LA 71220 and ask how to pay your fine or citation.
- Court on your citation: Traffic citations are paid through the court or agency named on the ticket, which may be a city, parish or mayor's court.
Parking tickets are paid to the agency that issued them, not to the district court or the Clerk of Court.
Morehouse County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Morehouse Parish court records?
Call the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 to ask about online access, or visit 100 E. Madison St., Bastrop, LA 71220 in Bastrop.
Are court records public?
Most court records are open to the public under Louisiana law, but juvenile, sealed, expunged, and adoption records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Call the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 with the defendant's full name and approximate dates to ask how to locate the case.
How do I find a court date?
Check your citation, summons, or notice first, then call the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 to confirm the date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Call the Clerk of Court at 318-281-3343 or the court named on your citation to confirm how to pay; parking tickets go to the issuing agency.
How many cases are filed each year?
Morehouse Parish district courts recorded 5,790 new filings in 2025, down from 5,956 in 2024.
What is the most common case type?
Traffic, at 4,026 filings or 69.5% of the 2025 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
Bastrop City CourtMore Info
| Address: | 202 E. Jefferson Ave., Bastrop, LA, 71221 |
| Phone Number: | 318-283-0257 |
| Fax: | 318-283-3386 |
| Website: | http://bastropcitycourt.com/ |
Morehouse Parish County District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 100 East Madison St., Bastrop, LA, 71220 |
| Phone Number: | 318-281-0863 |
| Website: | http://www.4jdc.com/Services/DirectionsMorehouse |
Useful Links
- Morehouse Parish Clerk of Court - Home Local office offering public court records, resources for civil and criminal cases, and other court-related services.
- Louisiana Supreme Court - Official Site Official portal for the Louisiana Judicial Branch providing decisions, rules, and resources for courts across the state.
- United States Courts - Branch Overview Comprehensive information about the operations of the U.S. Courts and services offered, including case locator tools.
- Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit Information on appellate procedures, judges, and decisions for cases from Morehouse and surrounding parishes.
- Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services Provides family law resources, child welfare, and family service programs that operate within the judicial context.
- LawHelp.org - Louisiana A guide to free legal information and resources, including links to family law, housing, and public benefits assistance.
- U.S. Department of Justice Learn about federal laws, policies, enforcement actions, and resources available for legal issues across the country.
- Courtreference.com - Morehouse Parish Courts A directory listing courts in Morehouse Parish with contact information and court services offered.
- Louisiana.gov - Morehouse Parish Information General information about Morehouse Parish, including administrative services, government contacts, and more.
- National Association for Court Management A professional networking resource discussing national issues and best practices in court management and administration.
- Judicial Learning Center - Judicial System Education Educational resources covering the U.S. court systems’ structure, history, and application, suitable for all ages.
- Data USA - Morehouse Parish, LA Statistics and demographics providing ancillary information that can be vital for court cases and understanding community needs.
- Louisiana District Attorneys Association Advocacy, policy guidance, and support resources for prosecutors and information on legal proceedings in Louisiana.
- Louisiana Believes - Education Resources Education resources for understanding juvenile court cases and related educational rights in Louisiana.
- Pro Bono Net - Louisiana Legal support network dedicated to expanding access to justice for low-income individuals through free legal services.
- Local Community Classifieds - Morehouse Court Listings Access public notices, court cases, and other relevant updates affecting citizens in Morehouse Parish.
- Courthouses.co - Morehouse Parish Courthouses Listing of historical and current courthouses in Morehouse Parish with addresses and geographic information.
- Louisiana Attorney General - Protecting Citizens Access to legal opinions, public records, and consumer protection resources provided by the state Attorney General’s office.
- Family Law Reporter - Legal News and Cases Updates and analysis on family law case rulings affecting Louisiana, possibly influencing local court cases.
- iCivics - Civic Education for Children and Teachers Provides educational resources about civics and laws impacting young people, good for parents and teachers alike.
Table of Contents
- Morehouse County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Morehouse County Court Records
- Morehouse County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Morehouse County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Morehouse County?
- How Does Morehouse County Compare With Louisiana Overall?
- Morehouse County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Morehouse County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Morehouse County?
- Are Morehouse County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Morehouse County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Morehouse County
- Morehouse County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links