Louisiana Court Records

Louisiana's court system is structured into appellate and trial levels. Together, these courts handle about one million cases annually. At the appellate level, the system includes the supreme court and five circuit courts of appeal. The supreme court primarily reviews applications for writs from lower courts, while most civil and criminal appeals are handled by the circuit courts of appeal.

At the trial level, district courts serve as courts of general jurisdiction, with broad authority over civil and criminal cases within each parish. In Orleans Parish, the district court is split into separate civil and criminal district courts.

Special jurisdiction courts in Louisiana include four juvenile courts and the family court of East Baton Rouge Parish. These courts have exclusive authority over matters such as juvenile delinquency, adoption, and family law issues like divorce.

The state also has limited jurisdiction courts, primarily city courts, with 46 located outside Orleans Parish. City courts handle civil cases involving amounts from $15,000 to $50,000, as well as misdemeanor offenses. In jurisdictions where no juvenile court exists, city courts may also handle juvenile cases.

In Orleans Parish, limited jurisdiction is divided among specialized courts. The first and second city courts manage civil matters, while the municipal court handles most misdemeanors. Traffic violations are heard in a dedicated traffic court.

Parish courts are a newer form of limited jurisdiction court, first established in Jefferson Parish in the 1960s and later in Ascension Parish. These courts function similarly to city courts, handling civil and misdemeanor cases within their parish. In Jefferson Parish, the first and second Parish courts cover the East and West Banks of the Mississippi River, respectively.

Other courts of limited jurisdiction in Louisiana include the justice of the peace courts and mayor's courts. Justice of the peace courts in Louisiana handle small claims, evictions, minor criminal offenses, and peacekeeping functions like subpoenas and restraining orders. They operate mostly in rural areas to resolve simple cases efficiently. Mayor's courts, on the other hand, address traffic violations, misdemeanors, and city ordinance infractions within their municipalities, presided over by the mayor or a magistrate.

What Are the Types of Court Records In Louisiana?

Different types of records are maintained in Louisiana courts. These include civil and criminal case filings, court dockets, judgments and orders, trial transcripts, traffic violation records, and probate and succession filings. These records are maintained by the court clerks as part of their duties as the official record custodians for Louisiana courts.

The following specific records are maintained by the clerks in Louisiana courts:

• Supreme Court of Louisiana
• Opinions and Rulings: Final decisions issued in appeals involving constitutional issues, questions of law, and disciplinary actions.
• Case Dockets: Detailed records of all filings, pleadings, and court actions in matters heard before the court.
• Disciplinary Records: Proceedings and outcomes related to judicial or attorney misconduct, administered through the Judiciary Commission and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
• Administrative Orders: Directives that establish or revise rules and procedures applicable to lower courts statewide.
• Petitions for Review: Formal requests for the Supreme Court to review decisions made by the Louisiana Courts of Appeal.
• Louisiana Courts of Appeal
• Appellate Case Dockets: Listings of civil and criminal appeals filed within each circuit, along with the history of filings and rulings.
• Court Opinions: Written decisions interpreting Louisiana's civil code, criminal statutes, and procedural laws.
• Motions and Briefs: Legal arguments submitted by parties seeking to overturn or affirm lower court decisions.
• Oral Argument Transcripts: Official records of spoken arguments presented before panels of appellate judges.
• Louisiana District Courts
• Felony and Misdemeanor Case Records: Includes charging documents, trial transcripts, plea agreements, and sentencing orders.
• Civil Case Records: Covers general lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, and business litigation.
• Family Law Records: Contains divorce decrees, child custody orders, spousal and child support rulings.
• Personal Injury and Property Disputes: Includes claims involving negligence, damages, and contested real estate matters.
• Louisiana Family and Juvenile Courts
• Delinquency and Status Offense Records: Includes cases where minors are accused of criminal activity or violations like truancy.
• Child Welfare and Protection Cases: Involves allegations of abuse, neglect, or dependency.
• Adoption and Termination of Parental Rights: Includes finalized adoptions and legal actions severing parental relationships.
• Louisiana Parish Courts
• Civil Case Records: Handle civil matters where the amount in controversy typically does not exceed $20,000. This includes landlord-tenant disputes, small contract claims, and debt collections.
• Misdemeanor and Traffic Violation Records: They also hear certain misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations that occur within the parish boundaries.
• Juvenile Records: In some parishes, these courts may also handle limited juvenile matters, such as truancy or juvenile traffic offenses.
• Louisiana City Courts
• Traffic and Misdemeanor Case Records: These courts handle parking tickets, speeding violations, public intoxication, and other minor infractions.
• Civil Case Records: Records of civil disputes involving up to $20,000, such as unpaid rent, small business claims, or damages from minor accidents.
• Evictions and Landlord-Tenant Dispute Records
• Louisiana Justice of the Peace Courts
• Small Claims and Civil Disputes: Records of civil cases involving amounts up to $5,000, including unpaid bills, minor property damage, and consumer complaints.
• Eviction Records
• Louisiana Mayor's Courts
• Municipal Ordinance Violation Records: These include traffic citations, curfew violations, animal control issues, and local nuisance complaints.
• Misdemeanor Offense Records: Records of non-jailable misdemeanors and low-level offenses committed within the town or village limits.

Are Louisiana Court Records Public?

Court records are generally considered public records under the Louisiana Public Records Act (LPRA). The LPRA makes the government transparent to the public, granting citizens the right to inspect, copy, or reproduce public documents. However, certain exemptions exist to this rule. Examples of records exempted from public access in Louisiana include juvenile records, adoption records, medical records, trade secrets, and certain criminal records, such as those related to cases involving ongoing investigations or sensitive law enforcement details. In addition, some court records are sealed under a court order.

Court records may be sealed in Louisiana due to several reasons, including:

• Protecting the privacy of individuals, especially minors or victims of sensitive crimes
• Safeguarding proprietary or confidential business information
• Preventing interference with ongoing investigations or legal proceedings
• Compliance with federal or state laws mandating confidentiality

How Do I Search Louisiana Court Records?

Local Court Websites: Many local courts in the state maintain websites through which the public may search records maintained in the courts. You may also search the LASC (Louisiana Supreme Court) dockets online, while the state judiciary also provides access to case information, calendars, opinions, and dockets of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth circuit courts of appeal.

Other options for accessing Louisiana court records online include:

• Clerk Connect: This portal offers a subscription for searching for the clerk of court in Louisiana
• re:SearchLA: This is a web-based platform allowing registered users access to an online repository of court case data. To use this system, you must be registered on either the re:SearchLA or eFileLA sites. This system is free for all users, but clerks of courts are allowed to set their own document fees. Therefore, some records may cost $2.50 for the first page, with subsequent pages charged at $1 per page, while other clerks may not charge a fee.

How To Retrieve Court Records Offline

If you are unable to find the record you seek online or want a certified copy of a court record, you must visit the office of the clerk of the court in the parish where the case was filed. Submit a request to search for paper files or digital records via a public access terminal. You will need to provide the case number or party name to find the record you need.

If you want a copy or a certified copy of court records, you will be required to pay a fee. While this fee varies by parish, standard copies typically cost $1 per page, while certified copies usually cost between $5 and $10 per document in addition to the copy fee. Requests are often processed same-day; however, extensive records or archived documents may take up to three business days for in-person requests. The actual time required to process court record requests depends on the complexity of the request and the volume of records being searched.

Can I Seal or Expunge a Louisiana Court Record?

Sealing a record refers to a process of restricting public access to a record, while an expungement in Louisiana is a legal process leading to the sealing or erasure of a conviction or arrest record from public view. Once an expungement is granted in Louisiana, the record owner is permitted to legally deny or refuse to reveal details about their previous arrests or convictions in most circumstances, including during job applications or housing inquiries.

In Louisiana, eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the criminal record and specific circumstances surrounding the arrest or conviction. Generally, a person may be eligible if they have completed their sentence, including any probation or parole, and have not been convicted of another crime during a required waiting period.

The type of offense committed by the individual seeking expungement also plays an important role in determining eligibility. Certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies may qualify under specific conditions. However, serious offenses, including violent crimes, sex crimes, and other major felonies, are usually not eligible for expungement.

Common conditions under which an individual may begin the expungement process in Louisiana:

• After Acquittal or Dismissal: If your case was dismissed, the prosecution declined to proceed (nolle prosequi), or you were found not guilty, you may be eligible to file for expungement immediately.
• After Completion of Probation or Parole: If you were convicted of an expungeable offense, you must complete any probation or parole terms. A waiting period may also be required after your sentence ends before you can apply.
• Statutory Waiting Periods: Louisiana law sets specific waiting periods based on the type of offense. For example, a waiting period of five years may apply for certain misdemeanors, and ten years for eligible felonies, provided there have been no new convictions during that time.
• First Offender Pardon: If you received a first offender pardon, you may apply for expungement. However, note that the pardon does not automatically remove the offense from your record. A formal expungement application is still required.

You may file for an expungement in Louisiana in the following ways:

• Obtain a Background Check: Request a background check and fingerprints from the Louisiana State Police Headquarters.​ You will need to pay a $250 fee via money order for processing a background check
• Gather Necessary Documents: Collect certified copies of your criminal record, proof of completion of sentence, and any other required documents.
• File a Motion for Expungement: Submit the motion in the clerk's office of the court in the parish where your case was heard. In some cases, you may need to file a Motion to Set Aside a Conviction before filing a Motion for Expungement, especially if your sentence was deferred.
• Pay Applicable Fees: Fees are capped at $600, with some exceptions. You may be eligible for a waiver of filing fees if your charges were never prosecuted or were dismissed without the involvement of a diversion program.
• Attend Court Hearing (if required): Appear in court on the date specified in the notice. If the judge grants your motion, proceed with filing an expungement.

How To Search Federal Court Records in Louisiana

The three federal courts in Louisiana (Eastern District, Middle District, and Western District) handle a wide range of cases falling under the federal jurisdiction, such as bankruptcy proceedings, admiralty and maritime cases, and criminal and civil cases involving federal law or constitutional rights. Records of these proceedings may be obtained online or offline from the courts.

To access the records of any of the three federal courts in Louisiana, you may use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. While this system is open to the public, users must create an account on the system to perform a search. Also, accessing a record on the site costs $0.10 per page.

Offline access to court records in the federal courts in Louisiana is possible via an in-person request submitted to the office of the clerk of the court where the case was filed.

Whether you are performing a search for a federal court record online or offline, you will need certain information relevant to the case, such as the party name, case number, and case filing date.

How To Get Louisiana Court Records Online for Free?

You may be able to inspect or view Louisiana case information online for free via the re:SearchLA. However, obtaining copies of court documents online usually costs a fee. Still, you may access dockets of the appellate courts online for free. Also, some public Louisiana court records may be accessible via third-party services such as the public record search service offered by PeopleRecords.us.