Court records in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, are maintained by the clerks of the respective district courts and are accessible through official court portals, offices, and online tools. OrleansParishCourt.org allows you to quickly find public information about parish court records. Additionally, you can use the portals of the Civil District Court, Municipal and Traffic Court, and also contact the clerks' offices directly or submit a public records request through the City of New Orleans portal.
Orleans Court System Overview
Orleans Parish has a unique judicial structure for Louisiana: the parish is both a city and a county, so several separate courts operate here instead of a single district court. Orleans Parish Civil District Court — one of the 43 judicial districts in the state — has exclusive jurisdiction over all civil cases in the parish. Criminal cases are handled by the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. The judicial district exclusively covers Orleans Parish. Security and support in criminal courts are provided by the Court Services Division of the Sheriff's Office. General information about local courts and clerks' contacts can be found on the official parish page.
Courts Serving Orleans
Several state and federal courts serve the residents of Orleans Parish:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Orleans Parish Civil District Court | 421 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 592-9100 |
| Orleans Parish Criminal District Court | 2700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 658-9100 |
| Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans | 727 South Broad Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 658-9300 |
| Orleans Parish Juvenile Court | 1100 Milton Street, New Orleans, LA 70122 | (504) 658-9500 |
| First City Court of New Orleans | 421 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 407-0400 |
| Second City Court of New Orleans | 3401 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 592-9264 |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana | 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 589-7650 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Louisiana | 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 589-7878 |
What Types of Cases Orleans Courts Hear
Orleans Parish courts handle a full range of cases — from minor offenses to complex civil lawsuits. Here are the main categories:
- Criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil cases: claims of any amount, small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony, paternity
- Probate cases: inheritance, guardianship, trust management
- Juvenile cases: juvenile offenses, child protection, adoption
- Traffic violations and DUI
District Court Cases in Orleans
Two separate district courts operate in Orleans Parish. The Civil District Court handles all civil cases without limitation on the amount of the claim: contract disputes, tort claims, real estate cases, probate cases, and family law, including divorce and custody. Cases are assigned to judges through random allotment.
The Criminal District Court has jurisdiction over all criminal cases in the parish — from felonies to misdemeanors not under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court. After arrest and indictment, the case goes to the criminal court, where the judge conducts preliminary hearings, considers motions, and, if necessary, conducts a trial. Appeals from state courts in Orleans Parish are directed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal of Louisiana.
Magistrate Court Cases in Orleans
Unlike most parishes, Orleans Parish does not have a separate magistrate court in the traditional sense. Instead, the functions that a magistrate performs in other jurisdictions are distributed among several courts. The Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans handles traffic violations, municipal offenses, and DUI cases at the initial stage.
First City Court and Second City Court have civil jurisdiction over cases with a limited claim amount. First City Court handles civil claims up to $50,000 and small claims up to $5,000 according to Louisiana law. These courts also handle eviction cases. Criminal preliminary hearings and bail settings are conducted within the Criminal District Court by magistrate commissioners.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Orleans
Family Law. Divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders, and paternity cases are handled by the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. The court also decides on the termination of parental rights. The lawsuit is filed with the civil court clerk's office.
Probate Cases. Probate — the process of estate administration, appointment of guardians and trustees — also falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil District Court. This includes cases of estate administration, guardianship of incapacitated persons, conservatorship, and trust matters.
Juvenile Matters. Orleans Parish Juvenile Court handles cases of juvenile offenders, child protection cases (Child in Need of Care), and adoptions. Juvenile court records are confidential under Louisiana law and are not available for public viewing.
How Cases Move Through the Orleans Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with an arrest or a bill of information/indictment. A civil case starts with filing a petition with the clerk's office of the respective court.
- Assignment to Judges. The case is assigned through random allotment to a specific judge or court section.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases, an arraignment is held — charges are read, and bail is set. In civil cases, the judge schedules a scheduling conference.
- Pretrial Stage. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a jury or judge's verdict, settlement, plea agreement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Criminal cases move to the sentencing stage. Civil cases proceed to judgment enforcement. Any party may appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal of Louisiana.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Orleans
Each court in Orleans Parish has its own administration. The Civil District Court is headed by a Chief Judge who coordinates case distribution and administrative matters. Local rules for each court are published on their official websites; a general overview of the Louisiana judicial branch is available on the state website.
Public access to court records is governed by the Louisiana Public Records Law (Title 44). Most court records are publicly accessible, except for:
- Juvenile court records
- Records sealed by court order
- Materials related to ongoing criminal investigations
Public records requests for the City of New Orleans can be submitted through the online public records portal. Hearings are generally open to the public; some courts offer remote participation — check with the specific court's office. For case information in the Municipal and Traffic Court, use the court portal.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Orleans
- Court Case Search. The Civil District Court provides access to civil case information through its portal. The Municipal and Traffic Court has a separate case search system.
- Detainee Search. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office provides an online tool for searching individuals in custody.
- Police Reports. Requests for police reports and accident reports are submitted through the NOPD portal. Police data and public records are also available on the NOPD data page.
- Criminal History Check. The Louisiana State Police offers an online criminal history check (background check) for a fee.
- State Inmate Search. The Department of Public Safety & Corrections allows you to find individuals serving sentences in state facilities.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, and marriage certificates can be ordered through the Vital Records Department of the City of New Orleans or the Louisiana State Vital Records Office. Marriage records older than 50 years are stored at the Louisiana State Archives.
- Property Taxes. Information on tax bills can be found and paid through the city's tax payment portal.
- Criminal Justice Committee. The New Orleans City Council publishes a dashboard with data on the number of detainees in the sheriff's office custody.
For more information about Orleans Parish court records, visit OrleansParishCourt.org.