Louisiana Municipal Court Information

A Louisiana municipal court has very limited jurisdiction. The authorization of the municipal courts of the state is restricted to specific types of cases. Violations of city ordinances are handled by these courts of limited jurisdiction. Failure to comply with certain Louisiana state statutes may also be heard by Louisiana municipal courts. Residential as well as an environmental issues are regularly monitored by the housing and environmental division of the municipal courts of Louisiana.

Louisiana Municipal Court Jurisdiction

The Louisiana municipal court regularly handles minor cases of misdemeanor. Traffic violations do not come under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana municipal courts. Separate traffic courts have been set up by the state court systems which deal exclusively with traffic offenses. A total of four judges normally serve the municipal courts of Louisiana.

The misdemeanor cases that the Louisiana municipal court is entrusted with includes criminal trespassing and theft of articles whose value does not exceed $300. The theft of pets or other animals valued less than $300 come under the jurisdiction of the municipal courts.

Cases pertaining to entry without a valid authorization or unlawful entry by fraudulent means regularly come up for hearing at the municipal courts of Louisiana. Stealing domesticated fish including crawfish as well as cutting down timber without a valid permit are all dealt with by the municipal courts.

Prostitution and desertion of children come under the purview of the Louisiana municipal courts. Unauthorized interception of cable services and illegal telephone communications may be heard by the judge of a municipal court.

Possession of marijuana as well as paraphernalia related to drugs is considered to be a misdemeanor by the Louisiana municipal court system. However, the offense may be considered as a felony in case of repeated violations of the law. First time offenses of theft or other utility services are tried in the municipal courts of Louisiana.

Information on Louisiana Courts

The State of Louisiana encompasses several municipal divisions. There are certain parish areas within the state as well. It is the only state to be divided into a number of parishes.

While the municipal and city ordinances are similar for all the divisions, a few of the municipal courts may deviate slightly depending on the local conditions and the population of the specific area. The state currently has 49 city courts and 3 Parish courts.

Baton Rouge is the capital as well as the largest city in Louisiana. Baton Rouge City Court is a municipal court of records. It was created in 1900 in accordance with LA R.S. 13:2071. The city parish general fund contains deposits from every kind of fine, tax and forfeiture which are collected by the office of the clerk. All municipal ordinance information as well as contact details can be viewed by accessing their official website at http://www.brgov.com/AskBR/default.htm.

City residents can obtain information about any government related matter or ordinance by calling up (225) 344-4636. This is a 24 hour service and is available on seven days a week.

Warrants issued by the court are posted on a daily basis. Simply log in to http://www.brgov.com/dept/citycourt/warrants/ in order to check whether you have a warrant issued against your name. Call (225) 389-5278 for the latest court decisions on warrants.

Residents are free to write in to for additional court information to:

Clerk of the Court or Administrator
P.O. Box 3438
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

Relevant information can also be obtained over phone by calling (225) 389-7656.

The east parish downtown main office is located at:

222 St. Louis Street (in the City Hall/Governmental Building)
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

It is possible to obtain court information by visiting the office during business hours.

Specific Louisiana Municipal Court Information:

Tammany Municipal Court