Court records of St. Landry Parish in Louisiana are maintained by the Clerk of the District Court and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the Clerk's office. StLandryParishCourt.org allows you to find public information about the court records of this parish. Additional access points include the website of the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court, the official parish page on the Louisiana state website, and other government resources.
St. Landry Court System Overview
St. Landry Parish is part of the 27th Judicial District of Louisiana. This district exclusively serves St. Landry Parish, and the district's administrative judge coordinates case distribution and court management. The Louisiana Judicial Branch consists of a hierarchy of courts — from city and parish courts to the state Supreme Court. The 27th District Court handles criminal and civil cases of general jurisdiction, while city and parish courts have limited jurisdiction. The administrative center of the parish is the city of Opelousas.
Courthouse of the 27th Judicial District
Courts Serving St. Landry
The residents of the parish are served by several courts of different levels of jurisdiction.
27th Judicial District Court
St. Landry Parish City Court (Opelousas)
Eunice City Court
U.S. District Court — Western District of Louisiana (Lafayette Division)
St. Landry Parish also falls under the jurisdiction of the federal bankruptcy court in the Western District of Louisiana.
What Types of Cases St. Landry Courts Hear
The parish courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations
- Civil lawsuits — from small disputes to large claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony
- Probate, guardianship, and conservatorship
- Juvenile cases and child protection
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
District Court Cases in St. Landry
The 27th District Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles criminal felony cases after preliminary hearings, civil lawsuits exceeding the jurisdictional limit of the city court, and appeals from city courts. A judge is assigned to a case according to internal distribution rules. Additionally, the district court handles appeals and other procedural matters post-judgment. The parish prosecutor initiates criminal prosecution, and the parish sheriff's office ensures the enforcement of court orders and custody.
Magistrate Court Cases in St. Landry
The city courts of Opelousas and Eunice perform functions similar to magistrate courts in other states. They handle misdemeanors, traffic violations, DUI cases, and civil claims up to $50,000 (the jurisdictional limit of city courts in Louisiana depends on the specific court and statute). Small claims are typically limited to $5,000 according to state law. City courts also conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases before they are transferred to the district court. If the case volume is high, judges may specialize in certain categories.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in St. Landry
Family Law. Divorce, child custody, alimony, paternity, and protective order cases are handled by the 27th District Court. Certified copies of divorce records can be obtained from the clerk of the parish court where the divorce was filed.
Probate Matters. The district court also handles inheritance, guardianship, and conservatorship cases, as well as matters related to trusts. The court clerk maintains all relevant documents.
Juvenile Matters. Cases involving juveniles — including offenses and child protection cases — are handled by a separate division of the district court. Juvenile case records are confidential under Louisiana law.
How Cases Move Through the St. Landry Court System
- Filing a Claim or Petition. A criminal case begins with a complaint or indictment; a civil case starts with a petition filed by the court clerk.
- Assignment of a Judge. Cases are distributed among judges according to the district's internal rules.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases, this is an arraignment; in civil cases, it's a preliminary scheduling conference.
- Pre-trial Phase. Parties file motions, exchange evidence (discovery), and negotiate settlements.
- Trial. The case concludes with a jury or judge's verdict, settlement, guilty plea, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, appeals to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal of Louisiana, or enforcement of the judgment.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in St. Landry
The administrative judge of the 27th Judicial District is responsible for court management, workload distribution among judges, and approval of local rules. Local court rules can be obtained directly from the court office or from the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court's website.
Under the Louisiana Public Records Act, most court documents are publicly accessible. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and certain family cases. Anyone can attend hearings in person; some sessions may be held remotely — check with the court office.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in St. Landry
- Case Search. The St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court's website provides information on record access and online search tools. You can also use StLandryParishCourt.org to search for public court records.
- Hearing Calendar. The schedule of sessions is available at the court office or on the clerk's website.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources. Standard Louisiana court forms can be found on the state court system portal.
- Public Records Request. Submit a written request to the court clerk or visit the office in person.
- Inmate Search. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections allows you to find information about incarcerated individuals. For local detention, contact the St. Landry Parish Jail at (337) 948-5804.
- Sex Offender Registry. Information can be checked through the Louisiana State Police, which maintains the state's registry.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. Historical marriage records are also kept at the Louisiana State Archives.
- Parish Sheriff. The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office — (337) 948-6516 — is responsible for enforcing court orders, serving subpoenas, and maintaining the local jail.