Highest Court
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court consists of 7
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital
criminal, administrative agency, disciplinary cases. (2) Discretionary
jurisdiction in original proceeding cases.
Intermediate Courts
Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals consists of
54 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Mandatory jurisdiction in civil,
noncapital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding
cases. (2) Discretionary jurisdiction in original proceeding cases.
General Courts
District Court
The District Court consists of 360
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Tort, contract, real property rights,
adoption, mental health, marriage dissolution, support/custody, paternity,
exclusive estate, civil trial court appeals, and miscellaneous civil jurisdiction.
(2) Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI. Exclusive felony, criminal appeals jurisdiction.
(3) Traffic/other violation. (4) Juvenile.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Juvenile Court
The Juvenile Court consists of 15
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Interstate support, adoption, mental
health. (2) Juvenile.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Family Court
The Family Court consists of 4 judges.
It has jurisdiction over (1) Interstate support, adoption, mental health,
marriage dissolution, support/custody, paternity, and domestic violence.
(2) Juvenile.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Limited Courts
Justice of the Peace Court
The Justice of the Peace Court consists
of 390 justices of the peace. It has jurisdiction over (1) Tort, contract,
real property rights ($0/2,000), and small claims ($2,000) (2) Traffic/other
violation.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Mayor's Court
The Mayor's Court consist of 250
judges. It has jurisdiction over Traffic/other violation.
City and Parish Courts
The City and Parish Courts consists
of 73 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Tort, contract, real property
rights ($0/15,000), New Orleans ($0/20,000); small claims ($2,000), paternity,
miscellaneous domestic relations, and civil appeals of JOP decisions. (2)
Misdemeanor and DWI/DUI. (3) Traffic/other violation. (4) Juvenile
(except for status petition). (5) Preliminary hearings.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Additional Information
Authority of supreme court to
appoint judges relative to drug matters
The Supreme Court of Louisiana may
appoint active and retired judges and attorneys as ad hoc judges to preside
over drug related criminal matters at times that funding is sufficient
by federal, state, or local sources. These ad hoc judges are to appointed
for a time not to exceed one year.
(LA RS 13:72.2)
Entry and publication of rules
Supreme court rules shall be entered
in its minutes and be published in the manner which the court agrees to
be most effective and practicable. (LA RS 13:73)
Official court reporters; oath
of office; bond
Each court reporter appointed as
an official court reporter by any judge of any court shall take an oath
of office and furnish a bond in the sum of ten thousand dollars for the
faithful performance of the duties of office. The bond shall be in
favor of the appointing judge and the litigant party for protection against
any acts of incompetence or neglect due to the reporter's performance.
(LA RS 13:10.2)
Member qualifications; terms
of office; chairman
Judicial Compensation Commission
shall consist of residents and qualified voters of the state of Louisiana.
The members of the said commission shall serve four year terms and vacancies
shall be filled in the manner for original appointment. The chairman
of the said commission shall be elected by the members of the commission. (LA RS 13:43)
Limitations on liability for
damages
Any act or issue done in conformity
to a written order or judgment of any judge of court shall not be liable
against the clerk or court or deputy of such officer in either his individual
or official capacity to any person, firm, or corporation. This exemption
from liability shall extend to any surety or liability insurance carrier
of such officer. (LA RS 13:760)
Traffic violations; fees to clerk
of court; Twenty-seventh Judicial District
The clerks of the 27th Judicial
District may assess a fee (no more than $5.00) for processing the payment
of a citation involving the operation of a motor vehicle that has violated
a state or local law. This fee shall be added to any other fees authorized
by law. (LA RS 13:847.1)
Leased musical instrument not
subject to seizure for rent
No landlord, lessee, owner of any
tenement house(s), or agent of such may seize for rent any piano, organ,
or other musical instrument in the property that is not the personal property
of the inmates or sub-lessee. (LA RS 13:3878)
