How Does the Louisiana District Court Work?

Louisiana District Courts are the trial court of general jurisdiction in the state. Louisiana is divided into 42 judicial districts with a District Court located in each judicial district. The districts all serve a minimum of one parish. Some districts serve up to three parishes. Louisiana judicial districts are listed below:

• District 1 - Caddo Parish
• District 2 - Claiborne, Bienville, and Jackson Parishes
• District 3 - Union Parish and Lincoln Parish
• District 4 - Ouachita Parish and Morehouse Parish
• District 5 - West Carroll, Richland, and Franklin Parishes
• District 6 - East Carroll, Madison, and Tensas Parishes
• District 7 - Catahoula Parish and Concordia Parish
• District 8 - Winn Parish
• District 9 - Rapides Parish
• District 10 - Natchitoches Parish
• District 11 - Sabine Parish
• District 12 - Avoyelles Parish
• District 13 - Evangeline Parish
• District 14 - Calcasieu Parish
• District 15 - Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion Parishes
• District 16 - Street Martin, Iberia, and Street Mary Parishes
• District 17 - Lafourche Parish
• District 18 - Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and Iberville Parishes
• District 19 -East Baton Rouge Parish
• District 20 - West Feliciana Parish and East Feliciana Parish
• District 21 - Street Helena, Livingston, and Tangipahoa Parishes
• District 22 - Washington Parish and Street Tammany Parish
• District 23 - Ascension, Assumption, and Street James Parishes
• District 24 - Jefferson Parish
• District 25 - Plaquemines Parish
• District 26 - Webster Parish and Bossier Parish
• District 27 - Street Landry Parish
• District 28 - LaSalle Parish
• District 29 - Street Charles Parish
• District 30 - Vernon Parish
• District 31 - Jefferson Davis Parish
• District 32 - Terrebonne Parish
• District 33 - Allen Parish
• District 34 - Street Bernard Parish
• District 35 - Grant Parish
• District 36 - Beauregard Parish
• District 37 - Caldwell Parish
• District 38 - Cameron Parish
• District 39 - Red River Parish
• District 40 - Street John the Baptist Parish
• District 42 - De Soto Parish
• Orleans District - Orleans Parish

Louisiana District Courts have jurisdiction over all cases originating within their territorial limits. The exceptions to this general rule may be found in the 1st, 19th, 24th, and Orleans judicial districts. In those districts, family and juvenile courts have exclusive jurisdiction over certain types of cases. Also, in the Orleans Parish, municipal ordinance violations are handled by the municipal and traffic courts.

Pertaining to civil cases, the District Courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the Justice of Peace Courts for cases where up to $2,000 is in controversy. If the amount in controversy ranges between $5,000 and $25,000, the District Courts share jurisdiction where their territorial jurisdiction is concurrent with a City Court. In places where there are no separate juvenile courts, the District Courts exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the City Courts over misdemeanor and juvenile cases.

Louisiana District Courts have appellate jurisdiction over criminal cases tried by municipal, traffic, city, and mayor’s courts. However, cases in the city, parish, and municipal courts tried under a state statute may be exempted from this jurisdiction. Such matters are appealed to the appropriate court of appeal. In parishes where a Parish Court does not exist, the District Court is authorized to review decisions of the Justice of Peace Courts. The Orleans Parish Criminal District Court has general supervisory jurisdiction over the traffic and municipal courts.

Each of the judicial districts in Louisiana has at least one district judge. The district each elects a chief judge to serve as the judicial administrative head for judicial matters. There are over 220 District Court judges in Louisiana. District Court judges are elected to serve six-year terms and may be disciplined or removed from office by the Louisiana Supreme Court on recommendation from the state judiciary commission. To serve on the court as a judge, individuals are required to be:

• Licensed to practice law in Louisiana for a minimum of eight years;
• A resident of the district of representation for a minimum of one year; and
• Under the age of 70 at the time of the election.

Some of the District Courts provide online access to view case information of matters handled in their districts. Court records may also be available on the public access terminals in some of the courthouses. Persons interested in obtaining court records may visit any of the District Court locations listed below:

Caddo 1st Judicial District Court
Caddo Parish Courthouse
501 Texas Street, Room 103, Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: (318) 226–6780

Claiborne 2nd Judicial District Court
512 East Main Street, Homer, LA 71040
Phone: (318) 927–9601
Fax: (318) 927–2345

Bienville 2nd Judicial District Court
100 Courthouse Drive, Arcadia, LA 71001
Phone: (318) 263–2123
Fax: 318–263–7426

Jackson 2nd Judicial District Court
Jackson Parish Courthouse
500 East Court Avenue, Room 103, Jonesboro, LA 71251
Phone: (318) 259–2424
Fax: (318) 395–0386

Lincoln 3rd Judicial District Court
Lincoln Parish Courthouse
100 West Texas Avenue, Ruston, LA 71273
Phone: (318) 251–5130
Fax: (318) 255–6004

Union 3rd Judicial District Court
100 East Bayou Street, Suite 105, Farmerville, LA 71241
Phone: (318) 368–3055
Fax: (318) 368–3861

Morehouse 4th Judicial District Court
Morehouse Parish Courthouse
100 East Madison Street, Bastrop, LA 71221
Phone: (318) 281–3343
Fax: 318–281–3775

Ouachita 4th Judicial District Court
Ouachita Parish Courthouse
301 South Grand Street, Suite 104, Monroe, LA 71210
Phone: (318) 327–1444
Fax: (318) 327–1462

Franklin 5th Judicial District Court
6550 Main Street, Winnsboro, LA 71295
Phone: (318) 435–5133
Fax: (318) 435–6792

Richland 5th Judicial District Court
708 Julia Street, Suite 103, Rayville, LA 71269
Phone: (318) 728–4171
Fax: (318) 728–7020

West Carroll 5th Judicial District Court
305 East Main Street, Oak Grove, LA 71263
Phone: (318) 428–3281
Fax: (318) 428–9896

East Carroll 6th Judicial District Court
East Carroll Parish Courthouse
400 1st Street, Suite 3, Lake Providence, LA 71254
Phone: (318) 559–2399
Fax: (318) 559–0037

Madison 6th Judicial District Court
Madison Parish Courthouse
100 North Cedar Street, Tallulah, LA 71282
Phone: (318) 574–0655
Fax: (318) 574–3961

Tensas 6th Judicial District Court
201 Hancock Street, P.O. Box 78, Street Joseph, LA 71366
Phone: (318) 766–3921
Fax: (318) 766–3926

Catahoula 7th Judicial District Court
Catahoula Parish Courthouse
301 Bushley Street, P.O. Box 654, Harrisonburg, LA 71340
Phone: (318) 744–5497
Fax: (318) 744–5488

Concordia 7th Judicial District Court
4001 Carter Street, Suite 5, P.O. Box 790, Vidalia, LA 71373
Phone: (318) 336–4204
Fax: (318) 336–8777

Winn 8th Judicial District Court
Winn Parish Courthouse
119 West Main Street, Room 103, P.O. Box 137, Winnfield, LA 71483
Phone: (318) 628–3515
Fax: (318) 628–3527

Rapides 9th Judicial District Court
701 Murray Street, P.O. Box 952, Alexandria, LA 71309
Phone: (318) 473–8153
Fax: (318) 473–4667

Natchitoches 10th Judicial District Court
200 Church Street, P.O. Box 476, Natchitoches, LA 71458
Phone: (318) 352–8152
Fax: (318) 352–9321

Sabine 11th Judicial District Court
400 South Capitol Street, Room 102, Many, LA 71449
Phone: (318) 256–6223
Fax: (318) 256–9037

Avoyelles 12th Judicial District Court
Avoyelles Parish Courthouse
301 North Main Street, Marksville, LA 71351
Phone: (318) 253–7523
Fax: (318) 253–7578

Evangeline 13th Judicial District Court
Evangeline Parish Courthouse
200 Court Street, Suite 104, PO Drawer 347, Ville Platte, LA 70586
Phone: (337) 363–5671
Fax: (337) 363–5780

City Courts in Evangeline Parish
Calcasieu 14th Judicial District Court
1000 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 437–3550
Fax: (337) 437–3350

Calcasieu 14th Judicial District Court - West Annex
500A North Huntington Street, Sulphur, LA 70663
Phone: (337) 313–1140
Fax: (337) 527–4417

Acadia 15th Judicial District Court
Acadia Parish Courthouse
500 North Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526
Phone: (337) 788–8881
Fax: (337) 783–3855

Lafayette 15th Judicial District Court
Lafayette Parish Courthouse
800 South Buchanan Street, P.O. Box 2009, Lafayette, LA 70502
Phone: (337) 291–6400
Fax: (337) 291–6392

Vermilion 15th Judicial District Court
Vermilion Parish Courthouse
100 North State Street, Suite 101, Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: (337) 898–1992
Fax: (337) 898–9803

Iberia 16th Judicial District Court
Iberia Parish Courthouse
300 Iberia Street, PO Drawer 12010, New Iberia, LA 70562
Phone: (337) 365–7282
Fax: (337) 365–0737

Street Martin 16th Judicial District Court
Street Martin Parish Courthouse
415 South Main Street, Street Martinville, LA 70582
Phone: (337) 394–2210
Fax: (337) 394–7772

Street Mary 16th Judicial District Court
Street Mary Parish Courthouse
500 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: (337) 828–4100 ext. 200
Fax: (337) 828–2509

Lafourche 17th Judicial District Court
Lafourche Parish Annex
303 West 3rd Street, Thibodaux, LA 70302
Phone: (985) 447–4841
Fax: (985) 447–5800

Iberville 18th Judicial District Court
Iberville Parish Courthouse
58050 Meriam Street, Plaquemine, LA 70765
Phone: (225) 687–5160
Fax: (225) 687–5260

Pointe Coupee 18th Judicial District Court
Pointe Coupee Parish Courthouse
201 East Main Street, New Roads, LA 70760
Phone: (225) 638–9596
Fax: (225) 638–9590

West Baton Rouge 18th Judicial District Court
850 8th Street, Port Allen, LA 70767
Phone: (225) 383–0378
Fax: (225) 383–3694

East Baton Rouge 19th Judicial District Court - 19th JDC Courthouse
300 North Boulevard, P.O. Box 1991, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: (225) 389–3950
Fax: (225) 389–5594

East Feliciana 20th Judicial District Court
East Feliciana Parish Courthouse
12305 Street Helena Street, PO Drawer 599, Clinton, LA 70722
Phone: (225) 683–5145
Fax: (225) 683–3556

West Feliciana 20th Judicial District Court
4785 Prosperity Street, P.O. Box 1843, Street Francisville, LA 70775
Phone: (225) 635–3794
Fax: (225) 635–3770

Livingston 21st Judicial District Court - Denham Springs Branch
133 Aspen Square, Suite C, Denham Springs, LA 70726
Phone: (225) 686–2216
Fax: (225) 686–1867

Livingston 21st Judicial District Court - Livingston Courthouse
20300 Government Boulevard, Livingston, LA 70754
Phone: (225) 686–2216
Fax: (225) 686–1867

Street Helena 21st Judicial District Court
Street Helena Parish Courthouse
369 Sitman Street, Suite 101, Greensburg, LA 70441
Phone: (225) 222–4514
Fax: (225) 222–3443

Tangipahoa 21st Judicial District Court - Amite
Tangipahoa Parish Courthouse
110 North Bay Street, P.O. Box 667, Amite, LA 70422
Phone: (985) 748–4146
Fax: (985) 748–6503

Tangipahoa 21st Judicial District Court - Hammond Branch
Physical: 318-A Northwest Railroad Avenue, Hammond, LA 70401
Mailing: P.O. Box 667, Amite, LA 70422
Phone: (985) 549–1638
Fax: (985) 549–1639

Street Tammany 22nd Judicial District Court - Courthouse
Street Tammany Parish Justice Center
701 North Columbia Street, P.O. Box 1090, Covington, LA 70434
Phone: (985) 809–8700

Street Tammany 22nd Judicial District Court - Slidell Annex
Street Tammany Administrative Complex
520 Old Spanish Trail, Slidell, LA 70458
Phone: (985) 643–6969

Washington 22nd Judicial District Court
Washington Parish Courthouse
908 Washington Street, Franklinton, LA 70438
Phone: (985) 839–4663
Fax: (985) 839–2925 (Civil)
Fax: (985) 839–7271 (Criminal)

Ascension 23rd Judicial District Court - Donaldsonville
300 Houmas Street, P.O. Box 192, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Phone: (225) 473–9866
Fax: (225) 473–8641

Ascension 23rd Judicial District Court - Gonzales Courthouse
828 South Irma Boulevard, Gonzales, LA 70737
Phone: (225) 621–8400 (Ext. 7)
Fax: (225) 644–8790

Ascension 23rd Judicial District Court - Gonzales Satellite Office
815 East Worthey Street, Gonzales, LA 70737
Phone: (225) 621–8400 (Ext. 6)
Fax: (225) 621–8403 (Ext. 6)

Assumption 23rd Judicial District Court
Assumption Parish Courthouse
4809 Highway 1, PO Drawer 249, Napoleonville, LA 70390
Phone: (985) 369–6653
Fax: (985) 369–2032

Street James 23rd Judicial District Court
Street James Parish Courthouse
5800 LA Highway 44, Convent, LA 70723
Phone: (225) 562–2270 (Civil)
Phone: (225) 562–2389 (Criminal)
Fax: (225) 562–2383

Jefferson 24th Judicial District Court
Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse
200 Derbigny Street, Gretna, LA 70054
Phone: (504) 364–2900
Fax: (504) 362–6355

Plaquemines 25th Judicial District Court
Plaquemines Parish Government Annex Building
301 Main Street, STE 108, Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Phone: (504) 297–5180
Fax: (504) 297–5195

Bossier 26th Judicial District Court
Bossier Parish Courthouse
204 Burt Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Benton, LA 71006
Phone: (318) 965–2336
Fax: (318) 965–1299

Webster 26th Judicial District Court
410 Main Street, Minden, LA 71055
Phone: (318) 371–0366
Fax: (318) 371–0226

Street Landry 27th Judicial District Court
118 South Court Street, Opelousas, LA 70571
Phone: (337) 942–5606
Fax: (337) 948–1653

LaSalle 28th Judicial District Court
LaSalle Parish Courthouse
1050 Courthouse Street, P.O. Box 1316, Jena, LA 71342
Phone: (318) 992–2158
Fax: (318) 992–2157

Street Charles 29th Judicial District Court
Street Charles Parish Courthouse
15045 River Road, P.O. Box 424, Hahnville, LA 70057
Phone: (985) 783–6632
Fax: (985) 783–2005

Vernon 30th Judicial District Court
215 South 4th Street, P.O. Box 40, Leesville, LA 71496
Phone: (337) 238–1384
Fax: (337) 238–9902

Jefferson Davis 31st Judicial District Court
Jefferson Davis Parish Courthouse
300 North State Street, Room 106, P.O. Box 799, Jennings, LA 70546
Phone: (337) 824–8340
Fax: (337) 834–1354

Terrebonne 32nd Judicial District Court
Old Courthouse Building
7856 Main Street, Houma, LA 70361
Phone: (985) 868–5660
Fax: (985) 868–5143

Allen 33rd Judicial District Court
400 West 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 248, Oberlin, LA 70655
Phone: (337) 639–4351
Fax: (337) 639–2030

Street Bernard 34th Judicial District Court
1101 West Street Bernard Highway, P.O. Box 1746, Chalmette, LA 70043
Phone: (504) 271–3434
Fax: (504) 278–4380

Grant 35th Judicial District Court
Grant Parish Courthouse
200 Main Street, Colfax, LA 71417
Phone: (318) 627–3246
Phone: (318) 627–3201

Beauregard 36th Judicial District Court
Beauregard Parish Courthouse
201 West 1st Street, P.O. Box 100, DeRidder, LA 70634
Phone: (337) 463–8595
Fax: (337) 462–3916

Caldwell 37th Judicial District Court
Caldwell Parish Courthouse
201 Main Street, Suite 1, P.O. Box 1327, Columbia, LA 71418
Phone: (318) 649–2272
Fax: (318) 649–2037

Cameron 38th Judicial District Court
Cameron Parish Courthouse
119 Smith Circle, Room 21, P.O. Box 549, Cameron, LA 70631
Phone: (337) 775–5316
Fax: (337) 775–7172

Red River 39th Judicial District Court
Red River Parish Courthouse
615 East Carroll Street, P.O. Box 485, Coushatta, LA 71019
Phone: (318) 932–6741
Fax: (318) 932–3126

Street John the Baptist 40th Judicial District Court
Edgard Courthouse
2393 Highway 18, Edgard, LA 70049
Phone: (985) 497–3331
Fax: (985) 497–3972 (Civil)
Fax: 985–497–6941 (Criminal)

Street John the Baptist 40th Judicial District Court - Eastbank Office
Arcuri Center
1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace, LA 70068
Phone: (985) 652–8041

DeSoto 42nd Judicial District Court
DeSoto Parish Courthouse
101 Texas Street, Mansfield, LA 71052
Phone: (318) 872–3110
Fax: 318–872–4202

DeSoto 42nd Judicial District Court - Stonewall Satellite Office
1324 Highway 71, Stonewall, LA 71078
Phone: (318) 925–6655
Fax: (318) 925–6667

Orleans Parish Civil District Court
421 Loyola Avenue, Room 402, New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 407–0000
Fax: (504) 592–9128

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
2700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 658–9000
Fax: (504) 658–9183