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, PO 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, PO Box 654, Harrisonburg, LA 71340

Phone: (318) 744–5497

Fax: (318) 744–5488

Concordia 7th Judicial District Court

4001 Carter Street, Suite 5, PO 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, PO Box 137, Winnfield, LA 71483

Phone: (318) 628–3515

Fax: (318) 628–3527

Rapides 9th Judicial District Court

701 Murray Street, PO Box 952, Alexandria, LA 71309

Phone: (318) 473–8153

Fax: (318) 473–4667

Natchitoches 10th Judicial District Court

200 Church Street, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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: PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO Box 424, Hahnville, LA 70057

Phone: (985) 783–6632

Fax: (985) 783–2005

Vernon 30th Judicial District Court

215 South 4th Street, PO 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, PO 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, PO Box 248, Oberlin, LA 70655

Phone: (337) 639–4351

Fax: (337) 639–2030

Street Bernard 34th Judicial District Court

1101 West Street Bernard Highway, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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, PO 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