Court records in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, are maintained and serviced by the Clerk of Court of the 22nd Judicial District. To find public information on court cases, start with StTammanyParishCourt.org — a resource that collects data on parish court records. Additionally, you can use official court portals, including the Clerk of Court's website, or contact the court office directly. State government resources and federal portals also provide access to relevant records.
St. Tammany Court System Overview
St. Tammany Parish is part of the 22nd Judicial District Court of Louisiana. This district covers two parishes — St. Tammany and Washington. The district court handles both criminal and civil cases with unlimited jurisdiction, and appeals from its decisions go to the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. The state's judicial branch includes 43 district courts, and the 22nd district is one of the busiest on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
The main courthouse is located in Covington:
The court operates Monday through Friday, typically from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is recommended to verify the hours before visiting, as they may change on holidays.
Courts Serving St. Tammany
Residents of the parish are served by several courts with varying levels of jurisdiction.
State District Court
Clerk of Court of St. Tammany Parish
The Clerk of Court's office is responsible for maintaining all court records in the district. The office in Slidell serves the eastern part of the parish.
Contact information for the Slidell office can be found on the state website.
Federal District Court
St. Tammany Parish falls under the Eastern District of Louisiana (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana), with the main office located in New Orleans.
Municipal and Justice of the Peace Courts
The cities of Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell have their own municipal courts that handle violations of municipal ordinances and minor offenses. Justices of the Peace resolve minor civil disputes. A list of local contacts is available on the official parish page on the state website.
What Types of Cases St. Tammany Courts Hear
The parish courts hear a wide range of cases. Below are the main categories, each detailed in the following sections:
- Criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil cases: claims with no monetary limit, small claims
- Family law: divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders
- Probate cases: inheritance, guardianship/tutorship, estate management
- Juvenile cases: juvenile offenses, child protection, adoption
- Traffic violations and DUI/DWI cases
District Court Cases in St. Tammany
The 22nd District Court has general jurisdiction, meaning it is authorized to hear virtually any case arising in the parish. Serious criminal cases (felonies) come here after indictment by a grand jury or after a preliminary hearing. The Criminal Division of the Clerk of Court manages the documentation and record-keeping for these cases.
Civil claims of any amount, including disputes over real estate, contracts, and torts, are also heard by the district court. Cases are assigned to judges according to established procedures. Additionally, the court hears appeals from municipal courts and post-conviction motions in criminal cases.
Magistrate Court Cases in St. Tammany
In Louisiana, the court structure differs somewhat from other states: there is no separate "magistrate court" in the traditional sense. Instead, City Courts in Covington and Slidell perform functions similar to magistrates.
City courts handle:
- Misdemeanors and minor offenses within the city limits
- Civil claims up to a specified amount (usually up to $50,000 for City Court)
- Small claims
- Traffic violations
- Preliminary hearings and bail settings
For DUI/DWI cases, depending on the location of the arrest, the initial hearing may occur in the city court or directly in the district court. Specific jurisdictional limits on claim amounts are determined by state law and may change — verify with the appropriate court office.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in St. Tammany
Family Law
Cases involving divorce, custody, alimony, paternity establishment, and protective orders from domestic violence are heard by the 22nd District Court. Certain judges specialize in family matters, although there is no formal separate family division. Petitions are filed through the Clerk of Court.
Probate Cases (Probate / Successions)
In Louisiana, probate proceedings are called "succession." The district court handles inheritance cases, the appointment of tutors for minors, and curators for incapacitated individuals. These cases are also managed through the Clerk of Court's office.
Juvenile Cases
Juvenile matters — offenses, child protection (Child in Need of Care), adoption — are handled separately. Juvenile case records are confidential under state law. Access to them is strictly limited.
How Cases Move Through the St. Tammany Court System
The general process of a case moving through the parish court system is as follows:
- Case initiation. A criminal case begins with an arrest or the filing of an indictment. A civil case starts with the filing of a petition with the Clerk of Court.
- Case assignment. The Clerk of Court assigns a number and allocates the case to a specific judge according to established procedures (allotment).
- Initial hearing. In criminal cases, this is the arraignment, where the defendant is informed of the charges. In civil cases, the judge may schedule a conference to plan the timeline.
- Pre-trial phase. Motions are filed, and evidence is exchanged (discovery). In criminal cases, plea bargaining may occur.
- Trial or resolution. The case concludes with a sentence, jury verdict, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment. Sentencing may occur, an appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal may be filed, or enforcement proceedings may take place.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in St. Tammany
The administrative judge of the 22nd Judicial District coordinates court operations, case distribution, and personnel management. Local court rules define procedural requirements — filing deadlines, motion formats, hearing procedures.
Regarding public access to records: according to the Louisiana Public Records Act (R.S. 44:1 et seq.), most court documents are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and certain categories protected by law.
To request public records from the parish government, use the public records request form. Any person over 18 can submit such a request.
Hearings in the 22nd District Court are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely — verify with the court office before the scheduled date.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in St. Tammany
Besides directly contacting the court office, there are several resources useful for finding court records and related information.
- Court Case Search. The StTammanyParishCourt.org site helps navigate available parish records.
- Sheriff's Criminal Records. The Criminal Records Division of the St. Tammany Sheriff's Office provides information on arrests and criminal history. Phone: 985-809-8242.
- Statewide Criminal History Checks. Louisiana State Police Internet Background Checks allow for online checks for a fee.
- Inmate Information. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections maintains a database of inmates in state correctional facilities.
- Sheriff's Office. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's site contains information on current detainees, wanted persons, and public safety.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, and marriage certificates can be ordered through the Louisiana state online services portal.
- State Public Records Requests. The Division of Administration accepts requests for records at the state level.
- Tax Information. Parish property taxes are administered by the sheriff's office — details on the parish tax page.
For federal cases, use the PACER system through the Eastern District of Louisiana site. If assistance with forms or procedures is needed, contact the Clerk of Court's office — staff will explain the filing process, though they do not provide legal advice.